Qualifying a written-off road bike on the front row of a Grand Prix grid ahead of Phil Read and Jarno Saarinen was just one high point in a career that embraced some of the best
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The beginnings of a wonderful relationship
So why would Bob turn down these works rides and instead decide to stay with Joe, working at the back of a funeral parlour in Bellshill, Glasgow? The answer: Bob was a man of his
Read moreBreathing life back into Clara
Initially, the cammy Velocette was anonymous. The bike came about as the result of a discussion between two of the company’s top engineers. It was based on a standard, 350cc overhead camshaft KTT engine but
Read moreMechanical Marvel – Moto Guzzi’s 500 V8
Moto Guzzi built a total of six complete 500cc V8 motorcycles, and while these differed slightly in design, they all had the same incredibly compact dry-sump water-cooled engine architecture, measuring 44 x 41mm for a
Read moreJim Redman Assen 1964. The best ever
Agostini – 15 times world champion and racing on public roads? Mike Hailwood – able to win anything, in any conditions and against any opposition? Rossi – beating the toughest racers on the planet and
Read moreThe 145mph TZ750 Flat Tracker: Banned but not Forgotten
Sideways scrubbing. Looking for traction. Riding what is one of the nastiest machines ever made. There’s a reason why many in the racing world love and fear these things. Not least of all because of
Read moreLazzarini – Small bore assassin
In the ultra-lightweight classes Eugenio Lazzarini was a force majeure, with 27 GP victories, two 50cc titles and another in the 125cc class. He was runner-up eight times and won four Italian crowns. As if
Read moreJay Springsteen – Forever Fast
There have been many popular riders in American dirt-track racing across the decades but none have exemplified timeless competitiveness in the Grand National championships across three full decades of continuous racing in the Expert class.
Read moreWhat might (and should) have been: John Kirkby and the Alpha Centauri engine
How two men pointed the way to Britain’s racing future, but were eventually beaten by bureaucrats Words by: Pete Parnham Pictures by: Mortons Archive Lincolnshire’s John Kirkby was an extremely able racer and a man
Read moreFROM OUR ARCHIVES: Bob Smith – the peoples’ champion
EVERY now and again there arises a rider who could hop on any bike and blast the hell out of his peers. Mike Hailwood was one, Bill Ivy another. But there’s another example – albeit
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