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.
As a superstar of the 1960s (and beyond), the genius of Mike Hailwood has often been recognised outside of ‘just’ the UK… When Valentino Rossi matched Mike’s 76 grand prix win tally at the Sachsenring in 2005, he did so in style with a flag saying: ’76 Rossi, 76 Hailwood, I’m sorry Mike.’ This was out of respect for Hailwood’s many achievements on two wheels. And, to celebrate the first 50 years of MotoGP in 1999, readers of Motociclismo in Spain voted Mike as their favourite rider, ahead of their own champions such as Angel Nieto. While many rate Mike’s comeback in 1978 at the TT as special and recall his bravery in rescuing Clay Regazzoni from his burning BRM in Formula One in 1973, Hailwood had already gained legendary…
ARCHIVE In July 1987, Honda finally announced what many had heard already – that they had a new homologation machine for the forthcoming World Superbike Championship that would begin the following year, 1988. Called the Honda VFR750R, it would soon be known by mainly its model code: RC30.The launch took place towards the end of the year at a wet Suzuka and any thought that it would be a souped-up VFR750F were soon scotched – despite sharing the same 70 x 48.6mm bore and stroke. Instead this bike’s DNA was much more ‘factory RVF…’ The RC30 cost twice as much as the road-going VFR750F (around £11,500 compared to around £6500) despite having similar engine architecture (but 10bhp more) and an all beam frame.The RC30 had an endurance-styled twin-lamp stare (smaller…
ARCHIVE Two decades ago, in 2003, Ducati’s MotoGP machine – the Desmosedici – took its first race win in the hands of Loris Capirossi. With the introduction of the four-stroke 990cc MotoGP machines in 2002, Ducati’s Desmosedici burst onto the scene the following season. Overall, the bike had shown itself to be very fast, if somewhat fickle, with the Marlborobacked bikes of Capirossi and class rookieTroy Bayliss often battling with the likes of Honda’s dominant Valentino Rossi before fading and picking up the scraps of top 10 finishes. For a ‘first attempt’ in the MotoGP class though, it was a superb effort: with eight other podium finishes (three 3rds for Bayliss, three also for Loris, along with 2nd places for the Italian in Italy and Australia) but the cherry on…
This Weise Drift Jacket combines the look and feel of high street fashion with the impact protection expected from a premium motorcycle jacket. The Drift Jacket is also laminated for reliable waterproofing too. Available in black priced at £199.99: find out more at www.weiseclothing.com Across 1 & 5 Across: Famous Isle of Man section which pitches motorcycles into the air. (8,6)10: Darker-looking sunlight protection for racers, not legal on the roads. (6,5)12: Tech ___, long-running French team which won its first world title with a 250ccYamaha. (5)13: A law enforcer and adjudicator at the races. (7)14: Edison, Iowan businessman and promoter who brought top-level Motocross to the USA. (3)15: French-owned frame builders that competed in 500 GPs withYamaha engines. (3)16: A project to bring an old machine back to showroom…
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 whether it’s about an event coming up, a motorcycle you own or you just want to let us know about something you find interesting in CR’s world. Classic Racer, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR. CRletters@mortons.co.uk facebook.com/ClassicRacerMag/ CLASSIC RACER WINS! Dear CR After their report of the new ‘Golden Era Historic Championship’ at the Tonfanau circuit in mid-Wales in the last issue, I felt that – whilst travelling through the area – I must pop into the next meeting and see what it was all about. I wasn’t disappointed… All manner of 50cc Kawasakis, a four-stroke Honda and various…
PADDOCK GOSSIP As Steve Hislop said once: “We all die if we live long enough.” It is part and parcel of life and the only thing preordained from birth. We seem to have a few obituaries in this issue of Classic Racer and we send our condolences and love to their friends and family. Each had a great impact on the sport we love. I do have to talk about MikeTrimby, of IRTA. I first ran into Mike more than 25 years ago and he was an imposing figure, both literally and figuratively. I can count the number of times I’ve met him since on two hands, the latest being at this year’s British Grand Prix. I’d come up with the idea of interviewing him about IRTA for Classic Racer…
