Keith Heckles Tribute - Classic Racer

You can feel teh atmosphere as Italian Giacomo Agostini pushes off on his MV alongside Liverpool’s Keith Heckles (Norton) to start the 1969 Senior TT. Starting one minute 20 seconds behind the first pairing of Derek Woodman and Kel Carruthers. Agostini quickly carved his way through the field – both on the road and on time – to take the victory, with British aces Alan Barnett (Kirby Metisse) and Tom Dickie (Kuhn-Seeley) joining him in the winners’ enclosure. Keith Heckles brought the Norton home in15th place and collected a Silver Replica for his effort.

Both sons of the late Keith Heckles will return to the Isle of Man to ride in the Classic Racer Lap of Honour at this year’s Classic TT and Festival of Motorcycling in August, as a tribute to their father.

Mark Heckles, who had a successful race career in the UK and Europe, including World Super Bike, returns from the USA where he now lives and still races, and will ride his father’s distinctive Beart Norton on which Keith enjoyed so much success.

Paul Heckles will set off alongside his brother on the Norvil Commando which Keith also rode in the Isle of Man TT.

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