It's been over 40 years since he last won the world title,but people still know who he is, and not just folk who are into bikes.I don't think we will ever see another Brit racer who will ever be as popular again
I met Barry Sheene when I was still a kid, it was at Brands and he really was the nicest bloke, signed my programme gave me a couple of signed posters and generally made a huge impression on me, he is my all time racing hero, and he is the reason I wanted a bike. I agree that there is unlikely to be a more popular British bike racer ever again, he was from a time when things were different and he was loved by the greater British public just as much as bike fans, he really was Mr Cool!
Yeah totally different era, He was like a rock Star always on the TV and in the papers and with only 3 channels on the telly the audience figures were huge.. plus unfortunately not many youngsters on bikes nowadays
Great post Dougie. Question: In the picture posted by Bikerman can anyone name the two racers sitting to Bazzas right and the one on his left @Bikerman your not allowed to answer as you were there
I know some names from that era but as bike racing was hardly ever on the telly I'd struggle to recognize them..is it Paul smart on his right and I'm guessing it might be Pauls son Scott next to him,the guy on his left looks familiar Edit: don't think it can be Scott as it would be a bit early for him
@Dougie D I think it’s Paul Smart and Sean Emmett to the right and Stan Woods to the left. Ok @Bikerman who is it, put me out of my misery
Nostalgia.......I remember arriving at Brands in 1971/2? Sheene won the 250 race on a TD250 by something like half a lap but stood out in his all white leathers and full face helmet while most of the rest of the field were in black and wearing pudding basins and goggles. A couple of years later I was standing on the hairpin bank at Mallory when Paul Smart ploughed in a broke a leg with one helluva thump. I think it was the Transatlantic Trophy races. Looking back the safety gear on track was nothing like what most of us now wear on the road.
If it could be proven that Joey actually wore it during a race, provenance would make its price soar I would have thought.
Aria have released a number replica JD helmets over the years. A friend bought a new white Aria, can’t remember what model it was but it cost him a fair bit of money so can only assume it was a top model and he had it professionally painted in JD colours. It was the dog dangling bits, real quality job and whenever we went over to Ireland for the racing people would comment on the helmets quality and ask him if he wanted to sell it. He never did/would.
If you get a chance to attend one of Steve Parish's excellent talks he has plenty of tales to tell about his partner in crime Barry.
