Classic Racer

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.

Classic Racer

Bye, bye Barry!

Whit’s win!

Told you so…

WEISE SIRIUS 2 GLOVES £129.99 • Put your racing knowledge to the test and complete the puzzle to be in with a chance of winning this great prize. Good luck!

readers write

Paddock Gossip • Compiled by The Classic Racer team // Send your classic racing news to: editor@classicracer.co.uk

Editor’s welcome

Whatever happened to? GEOFFREY DAVISON

Prince of Speed • Even without a factory ride as the 1970s dawned, Phil Read was still a force to be reckoned with. Bruce Cox gives us the final part of the career of the ‘Prince of Speed’.

Hailwood homage! • This is one beautiful machine – but it’s a replica of one of Honda’s racers, based on the humble CB175 K6. How so?

Last of the many... • Andrew Pitt (double World Supersport champ no less) and Jeff Ware ride the last of the two-stroke 250 GP bikes, the TZ250-5KE, around a private racetrack… lucky so-and-sos

ICONIC METAL 1967 TRIUMPH T100R

2006 DUCATI 999 F06 • While somewhat of an ugly duckling compared to its predecessor, the Ducati 999 did carry on the success of the Bologna firm out on the racetracks.

All KNEEL! • It was all change in British sidecar racing by the early 1970s. There were new engines and new competitors. Roy Hanks took it all in his stride…

ROCK HARD! • Speedway was one of the most popular motorsports through the 1960s into the 1980s and it bred a special kind of tough competitor… And they didn’t come tougher than Peter Collins…

LOCAL HERO! • John Reynolds raced in 500cc Grands Prix and World Superbikes for four years, but in 1997 he returned to UK shores and became a true BSB legend – while still occasionally beating the world’s best!

THE BIRD MEN! • After failing to regain the 500cc world title in 1978 and 1979, Barry Sheene quit the Heron Suzuki team, but it still enjoyed incredible success with other riders, both on the roads and short circuits. Here’s the story from 1978-1981.

RAY PALMER – A TRIBUTE • Classic Racer recalls the humble genius.

My friend Phil... • In the year or so since his death, much has been written about Phil Read. A complicated man, those closest to him knew him best. Ferry Brouwer was one of those people and he has this to say about the legendary racer...

Back in the Day • Welcome to ‘Back in the Day!’ We want to see all your old photographs from way-back-when. They could be of you racing, or perhaps you meeting your racing idol – or maybe just snaps you’ve taken at a race event from Yesteryear: do be mindful of copyright! Send them to: BSimmonds@mortons.co.uk

Next Issue • #226 – on sale February 15, 2024