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.
For most road-racers, it’s the thrill of the taking part which draws them to the various events. Of course, one road-racing event stands above all the rest: the Isle of Man TT races. And while for many it’s the pinnacle to even take part in the event itself, maybe make it to the finish line, or even get a replica, for the elite it can be a really big pay day, not to mention the historical significance of their win… Recently, it’s been revealed that the winner of the 2025 Senior TT pocketed £26,250. Or, they would have, if the event had of gone ahead. Instead, the money was distributed amongst the riders. If you think this is a lot of money – think again! The entire 2025 TT prize…
Joey Dunlop looks almost ‘old school’ here in this Don Morley shot from the controversial 1981 Isle of Man TT races. One of the few pictures of Joey from that year’s Classic TT, he’s wearing a sombre black (as is the Honda he’s riding), but what’s the reason? Well, that came thanks to earlier in race week, when the Honda Britain team felt they’d been ‘robbed’ of the Formula 1 win with their rider Ron Haslam. You can read the full story in Island Racer 2026, but it all stems from troubles at the start line for Suzuki’s Graeme Crosby who (Honda thought) would be issued with the standard four-minute time penalty for a late tyre change. Ron was garlanded on the podium as the winner, but then two hours…
It’s now four decades since Niall Mackenzie made his debut in the 500cc grand prix class. The Scot served his two-wheeled apprenticeship on the roads, at first. From his early teens on a humble Honda C90, crashing through the doors of his local chippie on his beloved RD350LC through to racing in the LC series, he always showed an innate talent. He would take a number of British titles at the same time as he made a start in the lower levels of the grand prix world championships (for more, see page 66). His big break in the premier class came on the factory Suzuki RG500 in 1986 where he finished 7th in the British 500 GP at Silverstone. From there, his career really took off. Suzuki offered him a…
Built to shrug off even torrential downpours, the Tempest is crafted from military-grade Ripstop tarpaulin material, with welded seams to keep water out. The padded airflow back panel and shoulder straps keep you comfortable all day long. For more go to: www.weiseclothing.com Across (5) (11) (4,3) (4) (6) (5,9) (6,8) (5,5,4) (4,10) (6) (4) (7) (4,7,5) Down (8) (7) (4) (4) (6) (8,8) (7) (5) Hennen, the first American to win a 500cc GP, whose career was cut short by a crash on the Isle of Man. (3) Graf, one-time 50cc GP winner from Switzerland who tragically was killed in the 1977 Yugoslavian GP. (6) Jarvis, former team boss for Yamaha in MotoGP. (3) (3) (8) (4) (7) (7) (4) (4) HOW TO ENTER To be in with a chance…
Classic Racer, Kelsey Media, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR bertie.simmonds@kelsey.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. STAVROS SPEAKS! Dear CR As always enjoying your 238 Classic Racer. However, the story from Alan Cathcart on the Suzuki Superstock bike in issue 238 has a fairly major discrepancy! He mentions, and (I assume a quote from Bruce Cox) on page 40, re carburettor: “We caught Yamaha machining theirs and machining them into smooth-bores. Which meant getting Steve Parrish kicked out of the…
Send your classic racing news to: editor@classicracer.co.uk Sheene bike at Stafford! You’ve still got time to get to The International Classic Motorcycle Show and see this amazing machine go up for auction. Yes, this is Barry Sheene’s title-winning 1977 World 500cc Championship works Suzuki RG500 XR14s. With 2026 marking the 50th anniversary of his first world title, it’s a timely piece of history that will go under the hammer at Stafford on 25-26 April. This bike has all the due provenance, having raced (and won) in 500cc grand prix races and in individual races in the UK, too. This is ‘Frame 1201/Engine Number RR1202’, one of two machines he used that year, the other being owned by the Sheene family. Barry rode this bike at the final race of the…
