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.
This is Flight Lieutenant Peter Evans sat on his brand-new Norton Commando in front of his Folland Gnat jet in 1969, when he was a part of the RAF’s Red Arrows aerobatic team. Peter joined the famous aerobatic outfit in 1966 – a year after they were formed – and 1969 would be his final year with the team. Interestingly, Peter would be involved in a few interesting racing escapades during his years with them. Back in the 1960s, the RAF didn’t wrap their Red Arrow pilots up in cotton wool: they often went off to do other things in the off-season, including car rallying and air races. As a result, Peter and two of his Arrows colleagues – Flight Lieutenants Terry Kingsley and Derek Bell took part in the…
If you’ve been even remotely interested in endurance racing over the past few decades you cannot have missed the giant-killing escapades of Phase One Endurance. Phase One was set up in 1985 by Russell Benney and Martin Prout and the team’s first steed was a Kawasaki GPz750 equipped with a Harris frame.The team’s first race was a rude awakening: they qualified in last position and finished in 42nd place overall. Better was to come and a new machine in the shape of a Yamaha FZ750.The team scored a number of top 15 placings over the next few seasons, before moving to the Honda VFR750RR RC30. By now the team had good support from Riders of Bridgwater bike dealership. The 1990s would see the team really come to prominence with a move to…
It’s 20 years since the youthful James Toseland became the youngest ever World Superbike champion at 23 years, 11 months and 29 days old. And, by the time he lifted the trophy at Magny Cours on October 3, 2004 he’d already been racing on Tarmac for nine years, and before that racing in off-road and moto-cross as a schoolboy. In 1995 James won the Junior Road Race Championship then became hot property by winning the 1997 Honda CB500 Cup and having some impressive one-off rides in that year’s British Supersport Championship. He was quickly signed by Castrol Honda to take part in the 1998 World Supersport series. Unfortunately, the Castrol Honda CBR600F wasn’t the most competitive machine to be on that year and he tragically lost his team-mate Michael Paquay…
WIN Designed for youngsters from 6-16 years old, the Michigan is a retro style waterproof jacket made to the same high standards as adult motorcycle clothing. Rated AA for safety, it comes with full CE armour. For more info visit www.thekeycollection.co.uk Across 1: Bright-sounding defunct motorcycle brand that was founded in Wolverhampton 100 years ago. (7) 4: British racer who won twoTT-based world titles before enjoying a solid GP career. (3,6) 7: Setting for engines that has become increasingly more digital over the years. (7) 11: The first one at GP level was held in Qatar, 16 years ago. (5,4) 12: Mr Kanaya, the first Japanese rider to win a 500cc Grand Prix. (5) 13: Annual Prize that is given to a stand-out British motorcyclist, of any discipline, under 21…
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. PERFECT PAT! Dear CR Congratulations on the articles on Pat Hennen: A phenomenal rider and thoroughly nice guy. In the 1970s and 80s I was working with the Shell Motorsport Team. My role included doling out the prizes for Shellsport 500cc events and then taking the winner round the circuit to wave to the crowds. Imagine my surprise to see myself in the…
Stan ‘The Man’ retires The man behind the power of many a two-stroke racer in the 1970s through to modern day machines – Stan Stephens – has retired, for the second time… Stan’s career spanned more than 60 years and he started out racing himself on solos and in sidecars (and even on four wheels). But it was his skills as a tuner – most specifically on two-stroke machines – that led to his fame and fortune. Stan set up his first motorcycle shop in the early 1970s but by 1981 his company – Stan Stephens Tuning – was becoming legendary. He had formed the company on the back of his skills as a two-stroke tuner par excellence. Many an air-cooled and latterly liquid-cooled two-stroke would be improved by his…
