Enough of the old bollocks that's usually posted on here. Let's take a moment to remember Barry Sheene who would have been 62 today.
Legendary rider, legendary swordsman.
Unless i'm mistaken that was at Donny 02 i think. I was there and saw this moment. It was Barrys last race before he died. It was a vintage race and he won.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
2001- Manx Norton classics race, although he may well have been racing there after the GP in '02 as well. I remember it being the last all 500cc GP on British soil I also remember people leaving before Bazza took to the track!!!??? (They were mainly attired in yellow for some strange reason
Barry was still a class apart - I recall the old boys and marshals drinking in Redgate after this glassy eyed and in wonder over some of the the lines he was still capable of taking.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Mind you - many are still in awe over the lines that Gobert can still reputedly take.
(Sorry Goat - not necessary I know)
2001- Manx Norton classics race, although he may well have been racing there after the GP in '02 as well. I remember it being the last all 500cc GP on British soil I also remember people leaving before Bazza took to the track!!!??? (They were mainly attired in yellow for some strange reason).
Barry was still a class apart - I recall the old boys and marshals drinking in Redgate after this glassy eyed and in wonder over some of the the lines he was still capable of taking.
Ummm i was racking my brain which year. When i saw Barry Sheene win what i believe to be his last race was not an all 500 motogp race. I think it was Hoppers first season as all his folks were there sat on deck chairs taking up all the room in front of the fence along the straight. Rossi came first sat on the tank with Biaggi coming second. Kato was still with us as well. I also remember Arnaud Vincent winning the 125 so it had to be 2002.
It was the 14th july 2002 i saw him race at donny. I have it in my mine that was his last race win and maybe even his last race. Going on google images there is a pic of Barry riding , it says its a pic of his last race and the pics gives a date of sept 13th 2002 at goodwood. With that info maybe i saw one of his last race wins as opposed to his actual last win.
Much respect, and they say some riders today 'tell it like it is', there was no better commentator than Mr Sheene. Someone who was 'great' for the sport. The memorial ride to PI will will be kicking off again soon.....
Joined Oct 2007
4K Posts | 744+
Tuscany, Italy
He was the first rider who became bigger than the sport, just like a superstar.
He was the first one to renounce the use of #1 as world champion, sticking to his #7.
The first one to appear at the track first in a Mercedes, then in a Rolls Royce, then on helicopter.
He was called 'Iron Man' because of the many pins and screws in his bones, that made all metal detectors of all airports go off in panic.
He won his last race (an historical motorcycle event) 10 years ago in Goodwood, beating Wayne Gardner on a Norton Manx.
He was the first one to renounce the use of #1 as world champion, sticking to his #7.
The first one to appear at the track first in a Mercedes, then in a Rolls Royce, then on helicopter.
He was called 'Iron Man' because of the many pins and screws in his bones, that made all metal detectors of all airports go off in panic.
He won his last race (an historical motorcycle event) 10 years ago in Goodwood, beating Wayne Gardner on a Norton Manx.
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
Only rider to have a hole drilled in his helmet so he could enjoy a tab while lined up on the grid.
Joined Apr 2008
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Out of Nowhere
Or to sit out qualifying due to a heavy one the night before and getting another rider (Parish) to qualify on his bike in his leathers and lid!! He put it on pole for Sheeny - only one of his career, and Baz won the race on the Sunday.
That was confirmed by parish himself under your jurno questioning at guna IIRC.
Yes, i believe he first joined load of old helmet visors together to make a back protector that would only bend in one direction.
Joined Jun 2008
2K Posts | 6+
America
He did invent the back protector. But those were the days when Men were Men. These guys used to smoke cigs or as some of you call them .... on the grid lol. How times have changed. It is because of riders like him that we have such rich racing history.
In the end good old Barry was more made up of metal and screws than flesh in his legs I believe. I recall him at the top of his career and I fancied him like mad too! They don't make 'em like him anymore do they?
Joined Jul 2006
11K Posts | 291+
Texas
One of my favorite smokers Mr Sheene
...didnt he have helmet with a hole drilled for a last minute puff before races? lol
...didnt he have helmet with a hole drilled for a last minute puff before races? lol
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