Classic Racer

By George! We’re not quite sure how to take this photo, taken during the 1978 Senior TT. Coming around Signpost Corner is hardened road racer George Fogarty being confronted by a man with a camera, sat on the actual pavement taking snaps… We understa

Tony Rutter scooped his first of seven Isle of Man TT race wins 50 years ago. Tony – who passed away in March 2020 – enjoyed a long career: three decades riding a wide range of different machines. Many felt Rutter was one of the most underrated rider

Phillip McCallen had an all-action style – even when racing on the dangerous road circuits of the Isle of Man, the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix. With nicknames like ‘SuperMac’ and ‘The Portadown Flyer’ you knew he was going to be quick, b

By the early 1970s, Len Perry had achieved almost legendary status in his native New Zealand, and halfway through 1973 it looked quite possible that his son Geoff might emulate his successes. Geoff had begun to make his name racing a home-tuned and d

In the 50 years since he won the Bemsee 500cc championship – the premier club championship of the time – Dave Street has done many things… This talented racer would own a bike shop, become a race school instructor, an advertising rep for Motor Cycle

As the post-Covid return to normality continues to unfold, there are some events we’ve previously highlighted on our wall calendars which sadly won’t be returning to brighten our lives just yet. One of these should have taken place down under over Ja

Nigel Bosworth – known to all as ‘Boz’ in the paddock, where he spent decades as a racer, test rider and team manager – has tucked away his breakfast and is on his second coffee of the morning: time to ask him about THAT season finale. “At the end of

While Steve Hislop’s first race was at Croft in 1979, it wasn’t until 1983 that he decided to try his hand at road racing. His brother Garry had won the 350cc Newcomers’ race at the Manx Grand Prix in 1982 but was tragically killed in a race at Sillo

The turn of the new century saw World Superbikes enter a period of change. For so long, the rules had been simple and effective: it was pretty much twins versus fours, Italy versus Japan. From the start of the series in 1988, World Superbikes saw 750

In 1978, as his workload continued to increase, Gerald Davison – who had founded the Honda Britain team and was general manager at Honda UK – hired Barry Symmons as team co-ordinator. By that point, Symmons already had some involvement in the bike ra

The last issue of Classic Racer got me feeling all nostalgic – as I guess it should do, being as I’ve just turned 70. Firstly, the great article from Alan Cathcart on the Harley XR750 TT, and particularly Cal Rayborn at the Match races in 1972, well,

Spectators at UK motorcycle races last summer undoubtedly noticed that something once very familiar and important was missing from their race-day experience. No longer were they hearing the voice of commentator Fred Clarke that had provided the sound

PLUS: // RACE REPORTS // LINE ART // WHATEVER HAPPENED TO // YOUR RACE MACHINES AND PICTURES AND MUCH // MUCH MORE! LEGENDARY COMMENTATOR FRED CLARKE: PART TWO! KENNY ROBERTS’ 1982 YAMAHA OW-60 BEST RACING PAINT JOBS EVER! PART TWO – MULTIPLE BRI