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.
In the beer tent, at the Isle of ManTT in 1996 and Phil Read – the Prince of Speed – is holding court. As a newbie race reporter, I’m hanging on the coat-tails of the greats: not just great racers and champions like Read, but journalists like John Brown, Norrie Whyte and Mac McDiarmid are in attendance.The conversation soon turns to legendary racers and Phil turns to the assembled hacks and says one name: ‘Jarno – just imagine what he would have become.’ High praise indeed… Jarno Saarinen’s career may have been tragically cut short, but its impact is still felt today.The Finnish rider began racing on ice in his native country, as well as indulging in grass-track and speedway – perfect training for his ownTarmac racing career… His grand…
ARCHIVE Phil Read, who passed away on October 6, was a seven/eight time world champion. Racing in a time of greats, Phil would win the 250cc crown four times (1964, 65, 68, 71) the 125cc title once (1968) and 500cc titles in 1973 and 1974 – the last of MV Agusta’s titles and the last four-stroke title until 2002. His final – and some say ‘questionable’ title – was theTT-F1 series.This was a title that was created solely to fill the gap in the Isle of ManTT’s lost world championship status in 1976. Phil – often a critic of the Isle of ManTT races – promptly entered in 1977 and won it… This and many of the titles he won would sum up the dichotomy of Phil Read: clearly gifted,…
Many recall Frederick Burdette Spencer’s amazing double title win in 1985, when he took both the 500cc and 250cc titles for Honda on their NSR250 and NSR500 two-stroke machines but his first title was no less dramatic. This was to be a direct battle between the old king – Kenny Roberts – and the pretender to the crown, Spencer. 1982 had finally seen Honda ditch their over-complicated four-stroke NR750 and instead adopt a lightweight three-cylinder two-stroke 500cc machine, the NS500. Spencer would take his first 500cc win at the 1982 Belgian GP.That year he would claim four pole positions, four lap records and two race wins on his way to 3rd overall. For 1983 he and the NS would go head-to-head with Roberts’ four-cylinder OW70. Surely the grizzled veteran would…
WIN Shine bright. Stay in vision with this 360 degree reflective jacket from Weise. When caught in a vehicle’s headlights, the silvery surface shines brightly, helping riders to stand out in the dark. Find out more at www.weiseclothing.com Across 1: Famously stunning uphill right-left section at Spa Francorchamps. (3,5) 5: Jamie, former 250cc British Champion and GP points scorer. (8) 9: A rider’s place in the field. (8) 10: Andreas, Austrian rider who won his only WSB race on home territory. (6) 12: Ukawa-san, factory HRC man in the first year of the MotoGP era. (5) 13: See 2 Down. 15: Fans with no allegiance, they just want to see a good race. (8) 18: Italian Group who oversaw the inception of the World Superbike Championship. (8) 20: Honda racing…
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FOGGY AND WHIT FOR NEWARK! Two of British motorcycling’s biggest names, including a king of the jungle, are set to entertain the fans at the first major classic bike event of 2023. Carl Fogarty and James Whitham will take centre stage at the Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic over the weekend of January 7/8 at Newark Showground, and with each man never shy to say what they think, there will be plenty of opinions, memories and racing insights of both modern day and ‘back in the day’ racing. Blackburn’s Fogarty – four-time World Superbike Champ, multiple TT winner and double F1 champion, Endurance World Champion and also winner of the 14th series of TV show ‘I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out of here!’ is well known for…
