Classic Racer

  • The magic mountain of Oz

    The magic mountain of Oz

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    What made Bathurst’s Easter races the most important motorcycle destination in Australia? In a two-part series, writer HAMISH COOPER and photographer PHIL AYNSLEY go back to the Seventies and Eighties to find out. An unlikely circuit on the outskirts of a small Australian town was the country’s mecca of motorcycling for decades until the late…

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  • Sheene and the Suzuki RG500

    Sheene and the Suzuki RG500

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    Certain bike-and-rider combinations seem made for each other, to the point where it’s hard to mention one without thinking of the other. Carl Fogarty and the Ducati 916; Mick Doohan and the Honda NSR500; Valentino Rossi and the Yamaha M1. Although he also rode Yamahas for several years at Grand Prix level, Barry Sheene will…

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  • Rivalries

    Rivalries

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    In the second excerpt from his book: Moto GP a photographic celebration, Phil Wain concentrates on those brutal rivalries that pushed past the politeness of the sport and accelerated it to another level. KEVIN SCHWANTZ WAYNE RAINEY 1988-1993 When Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz went racing, they were hell-bent on beating each other. And when…

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  • All-round fast

    All-round fast

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    Steve Wise was the greatest all-round rider in US motorcycle racing. Across 11 seasons (73-83), Steve won AMA Motocross and Supercross races, stood on the podium of the Daytona 200 with Roberts and Lawson, won an AMA Superbike National, and was the dominant force in the Carlsbad made-for-television race The Superbikers. Words: Norm DeWitt –…

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  • No Endurance Legends 2019

    No Endurance Legends 2019

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    Classic Racer, along with a legion of riders and fans, are sad to learn that there will be no Endurance Legends 4 Hour Race in 2019. Hard working organisers Darin and Rob issued the following statement recently: “After two exceptional events at Donington Park over 2017 and 2018, we’re extremely disappointed to announce that Endurance…

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  • Being Frank

    Being Frank

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    Dear CR The article in issue 195 of the mag about the Suzuki TR250 ridden by Frank Perris reminded me of the first 250 twin raced by Frank Perris a few years before his 1969 rides. Cadwell Park, September 16 1962, Perris and Hugh Anderson both turned out on the works Suzuki machines. Anderson rode…

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  • Winning Australia: Old dogs of war lead Australia to victory in the International Challenge at Phillip Island

    Winning Australia: Old dogs of war lead Australia to victory in the International Challenge at Phillip Island

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    Words: HAMISH COOPER Photos: RUSSELL COLVIN As the young guns faltered due to mechanical issues, Australia’s grizzled old warhorses stepped up to hold off a determined Team USA and retain the International Challenge trophy. Steve Martin and Shawn Giles, originals from the early days of the Island Classic’s showcase event, led Team Australia to victory,…

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  • “Here come Mike’s bikes”: A world champion within four seasons!

    “Here come Mike’s bikes”: A world champion within four seasons!

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    Four more World Championships in the Honda years, the Daytona 200, F1 car racing and the Le Mans 24 Hours – and then that Isle of Man TT comeback… Words: Bruce Cox Photographs: Don Morley, Mortons Media Archive By the time his career entered its second decade in 1966, Mike Hailwood had won four World…

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  • Ray Knight: Racing off the page

    Ray Knight: Racing off the page

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    Shane Byrne’s Ducati one week, Bruce Anstey’s MotoGP inspired Honda RC213V-S the next – Peter Crawford discovered what it was like to ride the 1960s and 70s equivalents while chatting to Ray Knight, one of motorcycling’s true firsts. “It all started when I met Barry Ryason, the first editor I came across. He was racing…

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