Barry Sheene – Motorcycle Racing’s Jet-Set Superstar
Written by Michael Scott, a world renowned motorcycle racing journalist who started at the same time as Barry Sheene, this hardback book just released, is a must have for any racing fan as well fans of the man himself.
Sheene’s name was on everybody’s lips when he was at the height of his career and imbedded itself in the fabric of society. Ask any non committed motorcyclist about racing and they still mention the cheeky cockney’s name.
Like the great Mike Hailwood before him, Barry Sheene managed to bring motorcycle racing to the masses with his lifestyle that managed to make every magazines pages no matter what the subject.
Two consecutive world titles in 1976 and 1977 and numerous other accolades (including an MBE) were just part of the racing story. Two near fatal crashes from which he publicly bounced back from in near record time showed he had grit and courage as well as a cheeky grin.
The world loved him and continued to do so long after he retired from active competition.
The world also grieved when his life was cut short by cancer in 2003, which he dealt with in his own inimitable style, having not long returned to enjoy a second career in classic racing. Never one to back down from a challenge, he fought with dignity to the end.
The story has been told before, but this latest book from Haynes Publishing has many previously unseen pictures from the family collection and comes the closest to doing his life justice. Over 200 pages liberally spread with both black and white, as well as colour shots, tells the story of one of Britain’s greatest motorcycle racers and personalities.
This book is an intimate and candid portrait of the man, through the eyes of those who knew him best. So, I would be bold enough to suggest that this book deserves a place on the bookshelf in every home where they enjoyed the Sheene era.
Available form all good bookshops at £25.00 or direct from Haynes Publishing. (www.haynes.co.uk) ISBN 1 84425 013 X
Review by Ian Kerr