Features

Hurley Wilvert was a mechanic and amateur racer who earned his shot at the big time in the early 1970s. By 1974, he was on the podium of the Daytona 200 with Giacomo Agostini and Kenny Roberts. Norm DeWitt tells his fascinating story. Words: Norm DeWitt Photographs: Norm DeWitt and Jan Burgers Hurley Wilvert was…

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Any day you get to ride a McIntosh-framed motorcycle is a good day. Terry Stevenson has a good day and shares the experience. Words: Terry Stevenson Photographs: Steve Parker and Terry Stevenson Aucklander Dave Morley is now onto his second immaculate McIntosh Manx Norton 500. His other race bike remains a ‘work in progress’, an…

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At the end of the 1973 500 Grand Prix season Giacomo Agostini lost the world title to his arch-rival and team-mate Phil Read. He took the brave decision to leave MV Agusta for the following season and joined the factory Yamaha team. Many of his disappointed race fans thought this would be the end of…

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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 a much lesser known one – who shared the majestic two-wheeled prowess of both Hailwood and Ivy – Bob Smith.…

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22 – 24 Jan 2016 In the International Island Classic at Phillip Island Team UK made it two in row at Australia’s showcase of classic motorcycle racing. The Roger Winfield-led outfit held off a late challenge from Australia to retain the International Challenge trophy it first won last year. Hamish Cooper reports. In front of…

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Words: Malc Wheeler Photographs: Julie Wheeler The classic off-road bike scene showed its strength once again this weekend, February 20-21, as riders and enthusiasts packed in to Telford’s International Centre for the premier event of the year. Sponsored by Hagon Shocks, the Classic Dirt Bike Show welcomed thousands through the doors and traders in attendance…

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Unless you were an acknowledged star with a factory contract in your pocket, being a genuine full-time professional motorcycle road racer was no easy task in the 1950s and 60s. Personal or team sponsorship was unknown apart from some support from oil and tyre companies that only went to the top men anyway and, if…

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Jan and Hetty Burgers lived the gypsy life, travelling with the Continental Circus during the 1970s and recording some great images of just what it was like to live that exciting lifestyle. In the first in a regular series they remember how hard it was for a young Barry Sheene to make his mark on…

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McIntosh 25th anniversary: 1980 was a time when big-bore Formula One racing was catching on worldwide, and the crowds loved it! The bikes were big, made lots of noise and in the right hands they could sometimes take on production GP machines. Words Terry StevensonPhotographs Steve Parker, Terry Stevenson and TS archives It was a…

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