Classic Racer takes you so close you can actually smell the Castrol R. With the world's finest archive, and an editorial team who live and breathe the sport, the only way you'll get closer will be to put on your leathers.
CLASSIC RACER ARCHIVE Gary Hocking shone so brightly in the world of motorcycle racing, would take the 500cc and 350cc world titles, then depart for car racing and – ultimately – tragedy. The Rhodesian – who was actually born in Wales – had only been road-racing for a year when he burst onto the international scene, but those already there could see that he was one of the most naturally gifted racers of the time – perhaps all time? Jim Redman, fellow Rhodesian and (perhaps one of the best riders never to win the 500cc title) once said that he placed Hocking up there with the likes of Mike Hailwood… So why the nickname ‘Sox’: Jim knows why and it’s not about spelling, rather the fact that Gary didn’t like…
CLASSIC RACER ARCHIVE Mick Grant was the straight-talking legend of 1970s and 1980s British bike racing. Compared to the likes of Barry Sheene and Steve Parrish, his more grounded approach to life and racing came from his no-nonsense Yorkshire upbringing and it meant that he had his own core of fans. Mick was also one of the few real all-rounders, even from a time when riders would (literally) ride and race anything. In a 20-year career Granty did it all. From Grand Prix wins on 250cc two-strokes, to Isle of ManTT wins, riding the ill-fated Honda NR500, TT-F1 racing and winning titles on production bikes, he did it all. He was even a dab hand at trials! When he quit racing in 1985 (after taking the Superstock title on the…
CLASSIC RACER ARCHIVE The young Kevin Schwantz didn’t get into road-racing until comparatively late, but when he did he set the sport alight. In 1984 he was a club racer, known for racing production Yamahas (his family owned a dealership) so he was a recognisable, lanky figure on the likes of the FJ600 and RZ (our RD) 350. It was during the season that Kevin was spotted by magazine journalist and noted racer John Ulrich, who got the young Texan a test ride on a Yoshimura superbike at Willow Springs, early in 1985. Called the GS700 in the States due to import restrictions, but known around the world as a GS/GSX750ES, it was eventually raced for Yoshimura by Kevin in 1985. The rest would become history, but – good as…
WIN The Weise Redwood Shirt looks like a classic check shirt, but has an abrasion-resistant aramid lining, with CE-armour at elbow, shoulder and back to keep you safe. It’s fastened with a zipper to keep it securely closed while you ride Find out more at www.weiseclothing.com Across 1: Traditional podium celebration that makes the eyes sting! (9,8) 7: Donnie, team-mate to Niall Mackenzie on the 1980s Silverstone Armstrong team. (6) 8: See 25 Across. 9: 1970s AMA Grand National Champion who featured in the film ‘On Any Sunday.’ (6) 10: The first part of the body that a rider enjoys getting down in a corner. (4) 11: One-time host venue of the Malaysian Grand Prix that saw Mick Doohan as the 500cc victor. (5) 15: The sort of neutral gear…
Classic Racer, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR. CRletters@mortons.co.uk facebook.com/ClassicRacerMag/ If you want to get in touch… Then please do. We read every letter, email and comment sent to us and we enjoy hearing from you if you’ve an event coming up, a motorcycle you own or just want to let us know about something you find interesting in Classic Racer’s world. Sponsored by DUKE DUKE DUKE DUKE DUKE SHEENE, SHEENE, SHEENE! Dear CR As much as I enjoyed the Barry Sheene feature about his final championship year, surely we are guilty of being on a bit of a Sheene overload? It seems we always have features of the likes of Barry Sheene, or Kenny Roberts or any of the really big names. I love…
REGULAR PADDOCK GOSSIP RAINEY’S RETURN! There was hardly a dry eye in the house when three-time 500cc Grand Prix champion Wayne Rainey was reunited with his 1992 championship-winning YZR500 at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event marked the first time Rainey, who was paralysed from the chest down in an accident at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix at Misano, had ridden a race bike since his career-ending crash. He has – over the years – ridden converted road machines but thanks to work by Yamaha Motor Company engineers, his 1992 title-winning bike was converted so Wayne could ride it, using a gear-shift system on the left handlebar. Rainey was not alone for this emotional event. He was joined ‘up the hill’ by Marlboro Yamaha Team Roberts boss Kenny…
