PEOPLE
For more than 50 years, circuit commentator Fred Clarke provided the soundtrack of British motorcycle racing. He gave the commentary for the on-track action for generations of fans at every level from grassroots club events to the British Superbike Championship, the Isle of Man TT and the British Grand Prix.
Here are just a few of his favourite memories from his time as ‘the man behind the microphone’. They range from the Isle of Man TT to the British and World Superbike series as well as the British Grand Prix. Fred had commentated on that event ever since it replaced the Isle of Man TT as Britain’s World Championship qualifying round and moved to the mainland in 1977. Throughout 43 years, first at Silverstone, then at Donington and finally back at Silverstone again, it was Fred who led the team that, over the years, kept hundreds of thousands of spectators informed as to what was happening, Fred was hoping to clock up 45 consecutive years at the British Motorcycle Grand Prix before retiring, but after 2019 he finally had enough of continual hassles with Dorna concerning access, passes and other behind-the-scenes shenanigans. Fred was shown the door and instead concentrated his efforts on British Superbikes until his eventual retirement in 2022.
Here’s an afterthought that I feel would resonate with you all. Fred is often termed ‘the Murray Walker of motorcycle racing’ and the much-loved Murray got an OBE for his services to Formula 1. Fred is equally well-loved by motorcycle fans so is there anyone out there who knows how to get the ball rolling for Fred to get some sort of similar recognition? Such honour would be well deserved – over to you, Fred. Bruce Cox
MotoGP & WSB: Highs and lows
Commentary-wise, I loved the action in both MotoGP & WSB – especially ‘the Valentino years’ in the Grands Prix and those seasons when Foggy was chasing his Superbike titles. But when it came to getting to speak with the riders outside of
