Spot The Top 80s Racers

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Mike Baldwin's 4 stroke Honda blows up just after finishing the race.

[KungFooBob]

Mike Baldwin's 4 stroke Honda blows up just after finishing the race.

That's ok, he went on to own a knicker factory.

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Mike Baldwin's 4 stroke Honda blows up just after finishing the race.

That's ok, he went on to own a knicker factory.

And employ the machinist formerly known as Harold

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Just watched a Pro Am LC race, Niall Mackenzie riding like a psycho to come 2nd

[Yorick]

So who do you reckon was the fastest out of that line-up? Sheene had the most success, but was he the fastest?

That year Sheene finished 5th in 500s. Ahead of Mamola, but only 2 points behind Roberts and only 4 behind Spencer on a privateer Yam. Not too shabby.

Yes, I'd rather forgotten how quick Sheene was on 2nd tier machinery. Rob Mac, albeit very quick at the TT, never really set the world alight in GPs even on factory bikes.

My least favourite rider in that line-up has to be Mick Grant. Miserable sod in any of my dealings with him. And some of his race tactics were very questionable.

He was a fellow Yorickshire lad. Always friendly to me.

[Yorick]

I can't find anything on YouTube for the 83 races (what's labelled as 83 is actually 84)
I'm watching the 82 races from Brands and Sheene is winning by a country mile on a Yamaha, the bike doesn't look second tier.

He upset Yamaha in early 70s so had to switch to Suzuki. When he wanted to go back to Yamaha, they publicly said they had long memories.
They never supported him.

[Yorick]

So who do you reckon was the fastest out of that line-up? Sheene had the most success, but was he the fastest?

That year Sheene finished 5th in 500s. Ahead of Mamola, but only 2 points behind Roberts and only 4 behind Spencer on a privateer Yam. Not too shabby.

The photo is from 1983, Sheena was 14th in the World Championship

He lost half the season after his 150mph crash at Silverstone.

[mangocrazy]

That year Sheene finished 5th in 500s. Ahead of Mamola, but only 2 points behind Roberts and only 4 behind Spencer on a privateer Yam. Not too shabby.

Yes, I'd rather forgotten how quick Sheene was on 2nd tier machinery. Rob Mac, albeit very quick at the TT, never really set the world alight in GPs even on factory bikes.

My least favourite rider in that line-up has to be Mick Grant. Miserable sod in any of my dealings with him. And some of his race tactics were very questionable.

He was a fellow Yorickshire lad. Always friendly to me.

I used to do quite a lot of photography at the TT and most of the riders would bend over backwards to make sure you got the shot you wanted. In particular I can remember Hizzy and Mez Mellor being charming and generous with their time. Mick Grant would scarcely give you the time of day and scowled for photos, not smiled. Or perhaps he just didn't like me, I don't know.

I also remember the infamous tank-bashing episode at the TT. Graeme Crosby was seriously unimpressed. And he also robbed Chris Guy of what would have been his first (and only) TT win by pleading with the officials to stop the race 'in the interests of safety' after he had broken down. Predictably, he won the rescheduled race a day or so later.

[Skub]

Do we know who the guy wearing the scoop cap is yet?

[Tricky]

So who do you reckon was the fastest out of that line-up? Sheene had the most success, but was he the fastest?

That year Sheene finished 5th in 500s. Ahead of Mamola, but only 2 points behind Roberts and only 4 behind Spencer on a privateer Yam. Not too shabby.

Yes, I'd rather forgotten how quick Sheene was on 2nd tier machinery. Rob Mac, albeit very quick at the TT, never really set the world alight in GPs even on factory bikes.

My least favourite rider in that line-up has to be Mick Grant. Miserable sod in any of my dealings with him. And some of his race tactics were very questionable.

I know what you mean- I thought him a miserable and TBH just not very pleasant bloke in the ( admittedly limited) experience I've had with him - seems to have got quite obnoxious and just a bit up himself too in his old age...

[Yorick]

Do we know who the guy wearing the scoop cap is yet?

Bob Smith.

[Skub]

Sheene thought he had a nice arse.

[Yorick]

Sheene thought he had a nice arse.

I saw Sheene, Granty, Crosby et al at Scarborough in 79.
Sheene made them all look daft. In the last race he fluffed the start on purpose and still won.

[Skub]

A good read up for those not familiar with Bob Smith.

https://www.classicbikehub.uk/Features/ ... s-champion

[Yorick]

A good read up for those not familiar with Bob Smith.

https://www.classicbikehub.uk/Features/ ... s-champion

I enjoyed that

[KungFooBob]

For want of a better place to put it...

Does anyone follow Wayne Gardner on Friendface?

He posted this today...

Hello 2022 and Happy New Year to all , Ok another blast from the Past back to 1981 and it was my very first overseas season racing the Moriwaki Monster starting at Daytona with a 4th place and then the British Superbike championship. This amazing season started at Cadwell park with winning in race 1 and leading the championship after 2 races at round 1 which amazed the fans and myself Then onto Donington Park and all the British tracks and what a year of fun , hard racing , laughing , showmanship and plenty of beers in the British pubs
This season opened my eyes and change my life for ever as explained in my last pic
My Love for bikes has never wavered over the 50yrs of involvement

(there's some pictures too, but you can find them yourself... https://www.facebook.com/WayneMGardner/)

Imagine your first race on UK soil being at Cadwell... and winning!