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.
CORNER: Strubben // YEAR: 1977 // TRACK: Assen // Steve Baker makes sure the Yamaha 750 is inch-perfect Steve Baker makes going this fast almost effortless during his hunt for the F-750 crown in 1977. While the crowd seem all to be more interested in what’s coming their way, Baker’s precise, inch-perfect line of attack on Dutch soil paid dividends. This was the first year that the 750 formula was upgraded from a FIM ‘prize’ event to a pukka world championship and Baker will be forever immortalised in the annals of history as the first king of those big bikes. In 1976 the FIM annual congress, the Technical Commission, reviewed the series for the second time. The conclusion it came to was that the motorcycles were too powerful for both…
Compiled by Malc Wheeler // Send your classic racing news to: mwheeler@mortons.co.uk TT wheelchair challenge The son of an Isle of ManTT racer is bidding to make his mark on the legendary Mountain course, by pushing a speciallyadapted wheelchair. Graham Inchley, from Andover, intends to cover the equivalent distance of theTT course, 37.73 miles, within eight hours on July 22, to raise money for the Joey Dunlop Foundation. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company is supporting his challenge by covering the cost of travel for Graham, his support team and his equipment. Graham’s planned route will see him depart from the TT Grandstand and head down Bray Hill, before turning off at Quarterbridge towards Castletown. There he will complete a lap of the Billown circuit, where both his father…
Both sons of the late Keith Heckles will return to the Isle of Man to ride in the Classic Racer Lap of Honour at this year’s ClassicTT and Festival of Motorcycling in August, as a tribute to their father. Mark Heckles, who had a successful race career in the UK and Europe, including World Super Bike, returns from the USA where he now lives and still races, and will ride his father’s distinctive Beart Norton on which Keith enjoyed so much success. Paul Heckles will set off alongside his brother on the Norvil Commando which Keith also rode in the Isle of ManTT.…
This four-stamp issue,TT Winners, features Joey Dunlop, Steve Hislop, Ian Simpson and Ian Hutchinson, who, between them, have achieved more than 50TT victories. 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of Dunlop’s first win, Hislop’s 30th, Simpson’s 20th and Hutchinson’s 10th. The stamps, designed by local business Isle of Man Advertising and PR, feature photographs of each rider during the race that they took their first win. TheTTWinners stamp issue was released on May 26 to coincide with the start ofTT fortnight. The issue is available inside a four-side presentation pack or on a First Day Cover, postmarked with the first day of issue. Both contain additional photography, including pictures taken by legendary road racing photographer Stephen Davison, and the story of each first win written by David Wright, author of six…
Hello and welcome to this latest issue of Classic Racer – I sincerely hope you enjoy it. There is change in them there racing worlds. And we’re witnessing what could end up being the start of something pretty special. I’m talking about our racing world and how it’s starting to be viewed by the wider, less specialist audience. ‘Modern’ classic racing is now, suddenly, being granted the lustful eyes of those who wouldn’t have turned towards such things before. Take two recent racing meetings at the same venue. One weekend saw the Endurance Legends lads hold their big outing at Donington with plenty of interest both on and off-track. Spectators turned up, preevent publicity was high and a very good day was had by a lot of people (James Whitham…
The seventh annual Prescott Bike Festival, held at the home of the Bugatti Owners’ Club, on Sunday, April 9, was hailed as the most successful yet. Thanks to the glorious weather over 6,000 motorcycle enthusiasts flocked to a sun-baked Prescott to support the fundraising event for Blood Bikes and were treated to a whole feast of entertainment both on and off the track. Festival Organiser Gordon Downie said: “It was a hugely successful Bike Fest and we’d like to thank everyone who helped make it so, from those that took to the hill, the entertainers, musicians, volunteers, marshals, bike clubs to trade stands and exhibitors – not least the thousands of visitors who came to support us. “Wewill post the final results on our Facebook page, but early indications are…
