Classic Racer

No other motorcycle race-track is quite like the Isle of Man TT, and therefore it stands to reason that the course has inspired some unique features of its own. Even before the current 37.73 mile course was fully established, the need for a different breed of ‘marshal’ around the course was recognised. Therefore, in 1935, the organisers of the Isle of Man TT races established the ‘Travelling Marshals’. This was a time when the lap record stood at around 86mph – today Peter Hickman holds the record at 136.358mph… Back in 1935 there were only two travelling marshals, one based at the start, the other in Ramsey. While the telephone had been on the Island since 1889, this was still some time before efficient two-way radio communication was commonplace. Instead…

It could well be argued that – 50 years ago in 1975 – things were finally coming together for the 25-year-old Barry Sheene, but his most successful year to date wouldn’t come without cost… Barry was one of the favourites for the Daytona 200 held in Florida, in March: a race that was a traditional precursor to the main Grand Prix season and a rather prestigious one at that. It was here that – perhaps – good and bad luck combined to send Sheene’s popularity into the stratosphere. Bad luck, because Barry’s Suzuki TR750 would suffer the lock-up of the rear wheel at an estimated speed of 178mph: the bike was geared for around 180 up on the Daytona circuit’s notorious banking. Initially the thought was that the rear tyre…

We would welcome the return of the added excitement that home-town heroes add to a MotoGP or World Superbike grid. For decades riders could get themselves onto a Grand Prix grid, as machinery raced at home would be raced abroad. Even into the 1990s, you could see 125cc and 250cc two-strokes ridden by eager Brits at their home Grands Prix. You’d also see privately-entered 500cc V4 two-strokes backed by Medd, Padgett’s or others line-up against the exotic factory Marlboro Yamahas or Rothmans Hondas in the blue riband class…It all added to the excitement. World Superbikes in the 1980s-2000s offered an even greater chance of glory: the home-grown hot-shots could take the four-stroke production bikes they’d been racing all year and take on the world’s best riders, often threatening for podiums.…

Keep your leathers, textiles, boots and gloves looking good, smelling fresh and in peak condition with these care products from S100. Developed and made in Germany, they are simple to apply and will extend the life of your riding kit. Find out more at www.thekeycollection.co.uk Across 1: 1980s GP team backed by a cool green ‘smokeless tobacco’ brand. (5,6,6)9: Big old fairing that had to be dismissed, as rubbish? (7)10: Mr Lawton, Hampshire postwar ace who earned aTT podium for Moto Guzzi. (3)11: It’s best if this follows a tuck, if you come off at high speed. (4)12: See 27 Across.14: Sprawling nation whose first two GPs were run at the Sentul circuit. (9)15 & 18 Down: Multi-functional venue that first hosted the Japanese Grand Prix in 1999. (4,4,6)17: Federico,…

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 whether 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. Star letter LOVED LADY LUCK Dear CR While flicking through my copy of the latest Classic Racer I was a little perturbed to see pictures I really don’t expect to see in a motorcycle racing magazine. Pictures of horse jumping, footballers, politicians, boxers, TV stars and the like… What on earth! And then I read the feature. Well, as a former owner of…

Send your classic racing news to: editor@classicracer.co.uk Wayne’s hat! The 1987 500cc Grand Prix champion Wayne Gardner will be the star guest at the Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show over the weekend of October 11/12, 2025. And – you have the chance of winning a unique prize at the show, which takes place at the Stafford County Showground. Known as the ‘Wollongong Whizz’, Gardner went from a young lad riding around his hometown on a five-dollar dirt bike to becoming the king of the two-wheeled world. Wayne was the first Australian to win the 500cc World Championship in 1987. The springboard to his international success began when he came to the UK in 1981, becoming big pals with multiple British bike race champ Roger Marshall. Wayne and Roger wowed the crowds…