Features

Ireland has produced more than its fair share of top motorcycle racers over the years, and Eddie Laycock is one who made it all the way. His story is one of many ups and downs: here’s part 1.   Words: Mark McCloskey Photographs: Don Morley, Eddie Laycock Motorcycles came to Eddie Laycock at an early…

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Words: Ron Haslam Photograph: Mortons Archive Back in 1981 I knew I had a chance, and was confident of an Isle of Man TT victory when I lined up for the start of the Formula One race. Graeme Crosby had a chain problem so wasn’t allowed to set off at his allocated time slot: instead…

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Our book of the week this time around is Taking it to the Limit by the award-winning Peter Starr! With over 40 years experience in and around the motorcycle industry and 35 years as an award winning documentary film maker Peter Starr is very uniquely positioned to champion his favorite sport. His first book is…

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For the 1967 Senior TT Mike Hailwood faced a bit of a challenge in his bid to score his second hat-trick of wins around the Isle of Man course – but lady luck was smiling… Words: Bertie Simmonds Picture: Mortons Archive This was the Diamond Jubilee week for the event and Giacomo Agostini had lapped…

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Did anyone really think that even with the combination of Steve Hislop’s amazing talent and the sheer speed of the Norton NRS588 that they would win the 1992 Senior TT? Words: Bertie Simmonds  Photograph: Mortons Archive The Formula 1 saw Hizzy take a 2nd place behind Honda’s Phillip McCallen, and ready for the Senior at…

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From enjoying a short but spectacular career as a racer, to running one of the country’s best bike dealerships, to guiding the career of a TT legend, Tony Jefferies’ entire life revolved around motorcycles. Words: Stuart Barker    Photographs: Mortons Archive As the son of trials expert, TT racer, and bike dealer Allan Jefferies, the brother…

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Twenty years ago, a sound was emanating from the tracks and pit lanes in Grand Prix racing that hadn’t been heard in quite some time. From the mid-1970s the two-stroke had been king, ever since Giacomo Agostini won his last 500cc world championship on the Yamaha OW-23, and this was Yamaha’s first rider and championship…

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‘Classic’ is in the eye of the beholder and well, it’s time for the new guard to make their mark at Stafford. The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show is back in Stafford this October, and tickets are available here! The brand-new Naughty 90’s hall, in association with Suzuki, will showcase the very best and most interesting…

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Our first book of the week for August is the recently published Classic Superbikes II by Frank Melling. A classic superbike is a motorcycle which has universal appeal, regardless of your age or riding experience. It’s the bike you dream of riding – even if you’re a non-motorcyclist. Bikes like this are inspirational and their…

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An absolute must-have for motorbike enthusiasts is the VMCC’s new book: Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Diary of 1000 Rides! Bustling with over 1000 rides and biking events you can do in 2022 are listed in this brand new book from the VMCC – the Vintage Motorcycle Club, which welcomes all bikes over 25 years old.  Britain’s…

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