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: GERRARDS // YEAR: 1978 // TRACK: MALLORY PARK // PAT HENNENTRIES TO BREAK AWAY FROM KENNY ROBERTS Pat Hennen was on something of a roll at this event. He was the top point scorer in theTransatlantic Trophy in 1978; two years before he had become the first American to win a Grand Prix in 1976 (Imatra, Finland – it was his debut GP year) and at this moment in time, as the picture was taken, nobody could get close. Following, going into Gerrards, is Kenny Roberts. His 750Yamaha forced to suck in great mechanical lungfuls of exhaust from the 652 Suzuki ahead. Kenny went on to win the race (despite the sunshine, it was cold) which grated on Pat somewhat. It was an unfitting final outing for Hennen at…
PLACE: START/FINISH // YEAR: 1993 // TRACK: SUZUKA // THE START OF THE 8-HOUR There’s a very often said truism in racing: “You can’t win a race in the first lap, but you can lose it.” In light of this – and especially with eight hours of pretty-fast racing in front of you, youmight want to give yourself a moment. Take in the job ahead and settle into some quick laps.You don't want to get all over-excited and then end up in the gravel trap on lap two. In 1993, 24 years ago, no such luxuries of a relaxed, starting pace were afforded to Daryl Beattie.Yep, that’s him on the bike at the front of the push-off. And you may notice that Beattie is getting a helpful ‘hand’ from fellow…
Star letter Sponsored by DUKE DUKE DUKE DUKE DUKE MY MEMORY OF MIKE HAILWOOD Dear CR A sunny morning practice at a very full Braddan Bridge in 1967, it was just like a race day, with everyone waiting for Mike and the Honda. Then that fantastic howl came fromQuarter Bridge to Braddan, in round the left-hander into the dip and everyone stood up to look at their idol, and Mike noticed. He looked up and gave a big nod to everyone, how we all smiled and chuckled – amemory forever. Then in 1978 I met Mike at a garage I worked at as a car sprayer, he wanted his crash hat painted. I got the job, ‘wonderful‘ he said to me on picking it up adding, ‘God I wish I…
With all the elements for a great weekend of motorcycling nostalgia, the sun-kissed Mallory Bonanza ticked all the boxes for the large crowd of enthusiasts that made the journey to the friendly Midlands track Saturday saw the quieter road machines on track, and there was no shortage of people wanting to enjoy the short, but challenging, Mallory Park circuit, providing a motorcycling history lesson for the spectators. With no noise restriction and no chicanes, Sunday was very much a case of feel the noise. Among the inevitable four-cylinder Honda ‘lookalikes’ there was some truly historic race ware, nonemore so than the Cagiva two-stroke four from Dean and Martyn Simpkins’ collection, whichTT Riders’ Association president Alex George exercised, and the original MV three, from the same stable that Dean got to…
After a week of qualifying for the competitors the ClassicTT really comes to life on Friday, August 25 when the Paddock Carnival kicks off at theTT Grandstand, with eight-timeTT winner CharlieWilliams as MC. On stage behind the Grandstand, in a series of chat shows, will be six-time world champion Jim Redman and former Honda factory rider Stuart Graham, as well as modern dayTT stars John McGuinness, Dean Harrison, Michael Dunlop and James Hillier. In Nobles Park there will be a car and motorcycle Concours d’Elegance, as well as family fairground rides and entertainment. The ClassicTT Paddock Carnival runs from midday kicks and is free to enter. The ClassicTT organisers are inviting prestigious car and bike owners to display their machines in the 2017 ClassicTT Concours d’Elegance, which is taking place…
Collections on board sailings to the Isle of Man during the 2017TT Festival raised a record £19,465 for the Rob Vine Fund. Since the Steam Packet Company first instigated the collection, a total in excess of £255,000 has been donated to the fund, which was established in memory of Rob Vine, a competitor who died after a crash at the Black Dub during the 1985 SeniorTT. It is a voluntary charity that provides pre-hospital medical and rescue care, equipment and training of medics for a number of motorsport events held in the Island. The cheque was presented to Dr David Stevens, founder of the Rob Vine Fund. David said: “I am overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of TT fans. Every year they demonstrate fantastic support for the Fund, but the total…
