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

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

BOB BERRY: 1949-2023

Editor’s welcome

Whatever happened to? BERNARD CODD

The flying Kiwi! • From a young age, Hugh Anderson had a dream: that dream was to race at the Isle of Man TT and win. He did it and on the way became a four-time world champion.

EASY PEASY • When Grand Prix racing’s blue riband class went four-stroke more than two decades ago, Honda ploughed their own furrow with a funky four-stroke V5.

#37 2006 HONDA RC211V

SILVERSTONE • In the first part of our new series on classic British racing circuits, we look at how Silverstone was first established, and relate some of the dramatic moments it has witnessed, as well as hearing firsthand what it took to lap it really fast back in the day.

YAMAHA 0W60 • But for the factory’s decision to prematurely switch Kenny Roberts to the untested V4 0W61, the square-four 0W60 might have taken him to another title…

HIZZY short circuit champ • Steve Hislop was one of the greatest pure road-racers of all time, but he was also devastatingly fast on short circuits – when he was in the right frame of mind. In the second part of our look back on his career, Classic Racer focuses on Hizzy’s short circuit achievements.

TICKET TO RIDE… • When Steve Parrish got sacked by Suzuki ahead of 1978, he found himself without a ride in the 500cc world championship – until his friend George Harrison offered to bankroll his season. This is the little-known story of when a Beatle went Grand Prix racing.

Slingham! PART ONE • Gary Lingham was one of Britain’s top privateers in the late 1970s and early 80s. He raced against, and frequently beat, rivals like Barry Sheene, Wayne Gardner, and Ron Haslam, so why did he never get a factory ride? We caught up with ‘Slingham’ to find out.

Man behind the microphone PART 2 • For 50 years, Fred Clarke was the voice of British motorcycle racing. These are some of his best memories…

The good old days… • Guest columnist Steve Parrish is surely best placed to rate the racing of today over yesterday? But can he do it without upsetting anyone?

Back in the Day • Welcome to ‘Back in the Day’ where 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. There’s a prize for the best. Send them to: BSimmonds@mortons.co.uk