Experiences of a 70's motorcyclist
Seventies racing:
What an exciting era this was for motorcycle racing. The Americans would send a team over. The races would be held at several different tracks in the UK over a span of just a few days – a logistical nightmare for the teams and riders, but what a success!
Check out these covers from my own personal program collection
Check out these covers from my own personal program collection
Those of us with bikes would keep Easter weekend clear. We would then try to ride to as many of the weekend races as we could. Sometimes that would involve riding halfway across the country at the crack of dawn on a bike which was quite likely to break down on the way. Happy days!
Team Captain - Barry Sheene
What can we say about Barry Sheene? He had good looks, sense of humour, a leggy blonde model girlfriend. He was a friend of the Celebrities. He was multi World Champion at GP level. He was an ambassador of the sport becoming highly involved in rider safety but he always had time for the press and fans. He was simply the rider we all wanted to be.
Mick Grant a Yorkshire man, was a works rider for many teams including Honda, Norton, Kawasaki and most associated with Suzuki. He also specialised in true road racing ,winning 7 TT races.
Ron Haslam who is still a big name in the racing game currently running a race school based at Donington park. He was also a road racing specialist, once riding for Norton at the Isle of man TT. His son,Leon, is also a big name in racing having done very well in both British and World Superbikes.
Steve Parrish was another 'all round' racer who was most famous for being Barry Sheene's team mate in the Eighties GP seasons. He has since had success in the truck racing scene and as a tv motorcycle racing commentator
Keith Huewen worked his way up from privateer club racer level to Team Suzuki GP rider. He also appeared in Ireland, winning at the NW 200 in 1979. He is now to be found commentating for one of the big tv sports channels.
Roger Marshall was a short circuit racer and a road racing specialist who worked his way up winning the British championship along the way. He was a works rider for Honda at the TT partnering the likes of Roger Burnett. He went on to become a works rider at GP level for Heron Suzuki riding alongside the late Barry Sheene.
In 1979 a couple of exciting things happened, both involving Roger Marshall:
The first was one of the most famous race battles that ever happened in GP racing. This was the British Grand Prix at Silverstone where Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts battled wheel to wheel until Barry lost out on the last corner by a fraction of a second.
The second was at the same meeting whereby permission had been given for the filming of 'Silver Dream Racer' starring David Essex, an avid bike fan. The actual rider in the film was indeed Roger Marshall but David Essex did get out on the bike, at one point managing 160mph!
The first was one of the most famous race battles that ever happened in GP racing. This was the British Grand Prix at Silverstone where Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts battled wheel to wheel until Barry lost out on the last corner by a fraction of a second.
The second was at the same meeting whereby permission had been given for the filming of 'Silver Dream Racer' starring David Essex, an avid bike fan. The actual rider in the film was indeed Roger Marshall but David Essex did get out on the bike, at one point managing 160mph!
The Americans:
Team Captain - Kenny Roberts
Kenny Roberts earned a name for himself in American series dirt racing before coming to the UK to contest and Captain the American team in the transatlantic match races. He was also famous in GP racing. Who can forget the epic 1979 British GP at Silverstone where he and Barry Sheene battled right up to last corner when Roberts took the win by a fraction of a second having struggled the entire race with oil all over his throttle hand due to a start line leak!
John Long was not very well known in the UK.He was another oval dirt racer from the states who took up circuit racing. He became better known when he was the highest points scorer in the first Transatlantic race in 1975. He then went on to be a works rider for Suzuki.
Freddie Spencer was rated as one of the all time great GP riders. He was known as 'fast freddie' and won his first 500cc championship at the age of just 21. He was probably one of the youngest riders at the transatlantic trophy races too!
Randy Mamola was a highly successful works GP rider for Suzuki, Cagiva and Honda. He was known for his dramatic riding style which involved climbing right off the side of the bike and hanging by just his foot.
The Transatlantic Trophy Match Races:
Motorcycle Racing in the 1970s UK: A Thrilling Era of guts and determination:
The 1970s marked a golden era for motorcycle racing in the United Kingdom. It was a time when daring riders pushed the limits, iconic circuits echoed with the roar of engines, and the smell of Castrol R hung thick in the air. For a better insight into this exhilarating period read on about the dedicated world of two-wheeled competition.
The Tracks and Legends:
In the 70's some examples of the tracks that were regularly in use for club racing were:Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Thruxton and Silverstone in the South and Oulton Park, Aintree, Cadwell Park and Mallory Park more to the North. These were (and many still are) short circuits, very straightforward in layout with fast straights, long curves mixed up with some hairpin type corners alongside mainly grassy run off areas. However, the advent of 'Armco' barriers made some of these circuits somewhat more dangerous overnight. This did not deter most riders who had racing in thier blood. Many riders would work night and day to finance the racing, transporting themselves, their machine and various 'hangers on' by way of mates, family etc in beaten up old vans which were themselves likely to breakdown and cause havoc at any time.
Some of these 'weekend warriors' would eventually become household names like Barry Sheene, Phil Read, Mike Hailwood, Carl Fogerty etc but most were simply unsung heroes who were never heard of again even if they were lucky enough to still be alive. Injuries were, and still are, part and parcel of motorbike racing. Most racers have endured spells in hospital with broken limbs: collar bones, legs, ribs and arms but most have always shrugged it off as part of the job.
Other hazards included the notorious British weather and general lack of funds. To this day motorcycle racers have a camaraderie unusual in most branches of sport. The '70s were about affordability. Racers held day jobs, scraped together funds, and poured their hearts into their bikes. Paddock banter, shared tools, even money and bike parts. It wasn’t just about winning; it was about the thrill of the ride and the friendships forged in the pits.
The UK motorcycle racing scene has always been more than a sport; it was a way of life. The memories of those daring riders and iconic races continue to fuel our passion for the sport but we must always raise a glass to those pioneers who started it all off.
On this page is more information about 70's motorcycle club racing
You can also find out more about the Transatlantic Trophy Match races, USA vs England.
There is also a section about the famous Isle of Man TT circa 1970.
You can also find out more about the Transatlantic Trophy Match races, USA vs England.
There is also a section about the famous Isle of Man TT circa 1970.
The riders:
The riders in the Transatlantic series were a 'mixed bag' of racers. Some were men who were already establishing themselves at Grand Prix level, for example Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts. Other riders were young 'rookies' with not so much experience, for example Freddie Spencer. However, they all had one thing in common - the desire to win.
Britain:
Isle of Man TT races:
The Isle of Man TT in the Mid-Seventies: A Roaring Era of Speed and Tragedy:
The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT), a motorcycle racing spectacle held on the rugged Isle of Man, reached its zenith during the mid-seventies. This tumultuous decade witnessed both triumphs and heart-wrenching losses. Let’s rev up our engines and explore the highlights of those unforgettable years.
1. Giacomo Agostini’s Dominance Continues
Giacomo Agostini, the Italian maestro, continued his reign at the TT. For three consecutive years, he conquered both the Junior and Senior races.
In the Senior race, Agostini blazed through the Mountain Course in an astonishing 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 47.6 seconds, leaving competitors in his dust.
2. Production Categories and Heroes
The seventies TT featured several “production” categories, showcasing bikes that enthusiasts could ride on real roads:
750 cc: Malcolm Uphill rode a Triumph T.120 Twin to victory.
500 cc: Frank Whiteway piloted a Suzuki T500 II Twin to the top spot.
250 cc: Kel Carruthers emerged victorious in the Lightweight category.
3. Tragedy Strikes Hard
The Isle of Man TT has always been a double-edged sword. The same treacherous course that thrilled riders also claimed lives.
The mid-seventies witnessed a grim toll: six fatalities, including the promising world championship contender Santiago Herrero. It remains the darkest chapter in TT history.
The circuit’s 37.7-mile length demanded respect; mastering its twists and turns took multiple attempts.
4. Dieter Braun’s Remarkable Debut
Amidst the roar of engines, Dieter Braun etched his name in TT lore. He became one of only seven riders to win a TT race on their first attempt.
Braun’s victory in the Lightweight 125 cc race showcased not just skill, but sheer audacity.
Conclusion: Legends and Sacrifices
The mid-seventies TT was a symphony of speed, courage, and tragedy. Agostini’s dominance, the thunderous exhaust notes, and the haunting specter of loss defined an era. As we look back, we honor those who pushed limits, defying mortality on those winding Manx roads.
The Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT), a motorcycle racing spectacle held on the rugged Isle of Man, reached its zenith during the mid-seventies. This tumultuous decade witnessed both triumphs and heart-wrenching losses. Let’s rev up our engines and explore the highlights of those unforgettable years.
1. Giacomo Agostini’s Dominance Continues
Giacomo Agostini, the Italian maestro, continued his reign at the TT. For three consecutive years, he conquered both the Junior and Senior races.
In the Senior race, Agostini blazed through the Mountain Course in an astonishing 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 47.6 seconds, leaving competitors in his dust.
2. Production Categories and Heroes
The seventies TT featured several “production” categories, showcasing bikes that enthusiasts could ride on real roads:
750 cc: Malcolm Uphill rode a Triumph T.120 Twin to victory.
500 cc: Frank Whiteway piloted a Suzuki T500 II Twin to the top spot.
250 cc: Kel Carruthers emerged victorious in the Lightweight category.
3. Tragedy Strikes Hard
The Isle of Man TT has always been a double-edged sword. The same treacherous course that thrilled riders also claimed lives.
The mid-seventies witnessed a grim toll: six fatalities, including the promising world championship contender Santiago Herrero. It remains the darkest chapter in TT history.
The circuit’s 37.7-mile length demanded respect; mastering its twists and turns took multiple attempts.
4. Dieter Braun’s Remarkable Debut
Amidst the roar of engines, Dieter Braun etched his name in TT lore. He became one of only seven riders to win a TT race on their first attempt.
Braun’s victory in the Lightweight 125 cc race showcased not just skill, but sheer audacity.
Conclusion: Legends and Sacrifices
The mid-seventies TT was a symphony of speed, courage, and tragedy. Agostini’s dominance, the thunderous exhaust notes, and the haunting specter of loss defined an era. As we look back, we honor those who pushed limits, defying mortality on those winding Manx roads.
