A world-class rider
Reading the Action Replay article on Barry Sheene in the Echo, dated March 8, 2023, brought back a lot of memories.
In September 1975 I saw the great Barry Sheene ride for the first time.
The meeting was the Race of the Year at Mallory Park, near Hinckley, a massive international event at the time. On that long ago date in time I remember spectating at the Devil’s Elbow - from this spot you could see most of the circuit.
An unusual track, only 1.3 miles in length, Mallory Park was tricky to negotiate, with back markers an issue in a long race. On a warm, late summer day, I recall the earth banks surrounding the track were rammed with motorsport fans eager to watch the finest motorcycle racers in the world.
Prior to attending the Race of the Year of 1975 I kept a keen eye on Sheene’s epic rise to the top of his chosen sport. His horrific crash earlier in the year at Daytona, Florida, was a pivotal, and indeed epoch moment for his life. Crashing at 170mph and sliding for over 100 metres, Sheene was fortunate to survive. Returning to race at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire just seven weeks after this terrifying accident proved that Barry Sheene had the “right stuff” to be a world-class rider. His grit and tenacity to reach the summit of his chosen sport was never in any doubt.
Returning to that September day over 47 years ago I remember well that the Race of the Year had a strong entry of riders. The most high profile being the legendary Italian multi world champion, Giacomo Agostini, who at the time was riding for the Yamaha factory team.
If memory serves me well, Phil Read, an English rider with a number of world titles to his name and a keen rival of Sheene’s, was also in the field riding the mighty Italian MV Augusta machine.
The race itself was totally dominated by Sheene.
He was subliminal, built up an early lead, and never looked likely to be reeled in.
His victory at Mallory Park all those years ago was the forerunner to the long hot summer of 1976 when Barry won his first 500cc world championship.
He went on to win the 1977 world title, as well as riding his tried and trusted water cooled 4 cylinder, 2 stroke Suzuki.
Barry had tremendous charisma, endearing all he came into contact with.
His strong personality and great ability as a rider raised the profile of the sport to the masses.
His death from cancer at the very young age of 52 saddened me deeply. Richard Carl Nielsen, Loughborough