Road racing king Clive Padgett

Frontman of Britain’s first family of bike racing looks back on some of their proudest achievements

‘Dad and Don took a chance on Japanese bikes back in 1958’

‘Barry Sheene really helped – he got me a clothing and helmet deal’

If you think of Clive Padgett many conjure up images of him leaning over the pit wall cheering on Ian Hutchinson on his rainbowstriped Honda Fireblade as he takes five wins from five at the 2010 Isle of Man TT. Or of him on the shoulder of Bruce Anstey in the winner’s circle after the Kiwi won the 2014 Classic F1 TT aboard the Valvoline-liveried Yamaha YZR500. But there’s so much more to the Padgett’s of Batley frontman than masterminding road-racing glory. He has also been a successful racer in his own right, a GP team manager who got the better of Valentino Rossi,

as well as someone who’s helped countless thousands of everyday bikers buy or build the bike of their dreams via the family’s awardwinning dealership. Although reluctant to talk about his personal successes, ever-modest Clive opens up to MCN to share some of his proudest memories.

“I imagine there are a fair few people who don’t know that I raced at all,” he says. “I had the best possible start, really, as I was taught to ride in the back garden by two-time 125GP champion Kent Andersson, who my dad built engines for. I started racing in my teens then within a couple of years was in the top six at GPs. “I remember my first international meeting – it was at Cadwell Park and I rolled up to the grid and there’s Barry Sheene – world champion – and he’s sat there on pole position… but I was pole. So I rolled up alongside, nudged him and pointed to my tank, because they stuck a sticker on your fuel tank with your grid position on it. He moved over into second spot, with Tom Herron third and John Newbold fourth. We all set off and took turns leading. Barry won, Steve Parrish was second and I was third. We were on the podium and Barry had a pop at me, he said: ‘You little bugger, we had it all planned me and Steve. We were going to pop a few wheelies, muck about and then race the last two laps but every time we popped our heads up you fackin passed us!’ Barry ended up really helping me. He got me a clothing and helmet deal, and also gave me some great riding tips. I wasn’t an idiot, but you can always learn from a world champion. “After injury cut short my own racing, I was able to throw myself into running the race team. One of our finest moments was at Phillip Island in 1999 when we were the first British team to out-qualify and beat Rossi in 250GPs. Our rider, Jay Vincent, qualified 6th and Vale was 7th – we were using the A-kitted customer Honda RS250 and Vale was