Sheene shines on
One of the biggest sports stars of the 1970s, Barry Sheene won two 500cc world motorcycle titles and crashed his way on to newspaper front and back pages with his flamboyant style on and off the race circuit. Marking the 20th anniversary of his death, aged just 52, from cancer on March 10, 2003, SHARON GREEN looks at the motorsport maverick who was often caught on camera with his famous friends...
1969
YOUNG GUN: An 18-year-old future world champ on his Bultaco.
1978
PARENTS’ PRIDE: With his mum and dad after receiving an MBE.
1980
FAST WORK: In practice at Silverstone ahead of the British Grand Prix.
1982
BIONIC MAN: In hospital after needing 26 pins inserted into his shattered legs after
crashing at 165mph in practice for the British Grand Prix. He returned and still made the podium in his final year in 1984.
1983
HAPPY COUPLE:
Barry and girlfriend Stephanie McLean married the following year and had a son and daughter.
1979
DREAM MACHINE: Pop star David Essex gets on board with Barry at an exhibition at Earls Court.
1981
MOTORSPORT GIANTS: Barry with motor racing legend Stirling Moss. Barry was taking part in the British Saloon Car championship but had spun off the track while Stirling Moss came third in his race.
1978
CRASH COURSE: Before becoming Prime Minister the following year, Tory party leader Margaret Thatcher joined Barry to hand over the keys of a Ford Fiesta to a London hospital team researching crash helmet safety.
1975
RACING LEGEND: British champion Barry Sheene waves from the podium after winning the second leg of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
1976
WORLD CLASS: Britain’s motorcycle and motor racing world champions Barry Sheene and James Hunt with Barry’s future wife, Stephanie McLean.
1978
DRIVE MY CAR: Former Beatle George Harrison joins the reigning motorbike champion at Brands Hatch where Barry tried out a Formula One car for the first time.
1981
THE PROFESSIONALS: TV action star Martin Shaw, right, with the real-life action hero at the International Road Racing Show at the Alexandra Pavilion in London.
1982
INFATIGABLE: Just two months after his near fatal crash, Barry was at Donington Park to do two demonstration circuits of the track at Castle Donington aboard a 350cc Yamaha assisted by stable-mate Steve Parrish who rode pillion.