Features

Driving in to the Automotodrom Brno today is much like any other European racetrack: masses of traffic in modern hatchbacks & rowdy bikers.

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This is the story of a solo Grand Prix World Champion’s return to the TT.

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Throughout the 1950s Eddie Crooks was an outstanding motorcycle sport competitor, with highlights that included three international six-day trial gold medals, a second place finish in the 1953 Junior Clubman’s TT and a Senior Manx Grand Prix victory in 1959. On retirement from racing in 1960, Eddie set up a motorcycle business in Barrow-in-Furness and…

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1985 will be forever remembered in motorcycle Grand Prix circles as being the year of the Spencer 250/500 historic double. Though it so nearly wasn’t… This was the moment that Freddie Spencer genuinely believed that his chances of a double world title – the most famous crowns in a single season in motorcycling history –…

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The first races took place at the 1967 Diamond Jubilee TT as the ACU celebrated the occasion with the newly introduced format of racing. Held over three laps of the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, the race was split into three categories – 750cc, 500cc and 250cc – and held under a national licence, and was seen…

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In the previous issue we told you the story of how the 750 class began and evolved into a class that drew big names, big races and big outcomes. Here’s the continuing story of the 3/4litre class and how the 750s got its first world champion. 1977 – Baker becomes the first 750 world champion…

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Controversy may have surrounded this magnificent-looking motorcycle at the end of last year’s Classic TT, but don’t let that cloud your judgement of this bike. Look at it. It’s immense. Redfox-Grinta is well known in classic racing circles for a heady combination of top-level machining skill and the dark art of putting together sorted and quick…

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Geoff Duke won six 350cc and 500cc world championships between 1951 and 1955 and six TT races between 1949 and 1955. He was racing’s first true superstar and household name, winning the Sportsman of the Year award in 1951 (the forerunner of today’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year), and becoming an OBE in 1953.…

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  Right from the start of the race it was the two fast MVs that got away with seconds in hand over the chasing pack. Indeed, by the end of that first lap it was the Italian Gianfranco Bonera and our own Phil Read who were both making serious headway from the chasing pack of…

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I swear that a butterfly landing on a leaf would have been heard by all. Then the starter’s flag dropped; there was the patter of feet and the spluttered cacophony of assorted two-stroke engines; but above it all was the booming howl of the small collection of Honda CR93s that resonated off the surrounding low hills…

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