Some years may have been more successful than others, but the sight of Barry and Stephanie in the winner’s enclosure after yet another victory was a familiar sight for over a decade.
Some years may have been more successful than others, but the sight of Barry and Stephanie in the winner’s enclosure after yet another victory was a familiar sight for over a decade.
CHAPTER 4
BIKES AND RECORDS
‘Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out and meet the bloody thing! BARRY SHEENE
BIKES
As comfortable on a 50cc two-stroke Kreidler as a 1000cc four-stroke Suzuki, Barry Sheene was nothing short of versatile during his racing career. During the early part of his career, he, like many others, rode wherever he could and on whatever he could, and earned success on a wide range of machinery – testament to his undoubted ability.
His favourite bike was the RT67 125cc Suzuki, which set him on the path to stardom. He sold it at the end of the 1971 season to fund the next stage of his career and bought it back in 1978. The cost was considerably more than what he’d sold it for, but he admitted he would have paid even more, such was its sentimental value.
When he started signing factory contracts, Barry had it written into his deal that he could keep the bikes he raced and his impressive collection was one to be admired.
Barry’s mechanic Ken Fletcher gives him and the RG500 Suzuki a push out of the pit lane at Donington Park at the beginning of 1983, the year he returned to Suzuki after three years at Yamaha.
125cc RT67 Suzuki
It took every penny Barry had to meet the £2000 price tag for Stuart Graham’s ex-works 125cc RT67 Suzuki, made in 1967. A loan from his dad Franco made it possible for him to purchase it in 1970 and although three years old, the 10-speed, rotary valve two-stroke twin was still a very potent machine. Graham had finished third in the 1967 125cc World Championship and obtaining the bike was the biggest breakthrough in Barry’s early career. Two days after buying the bike, he beat a star-studded field at Mallory Park and went on to finish second in the 1971 125cc World Championship, as well as taking two British titles.
1973 TR750 Suzuki
Although impressed by the speed of the TR750 Suzuki and the smaller 500cc version, Barry was horrified by the handling and he suggested that Suzuki commission ex-sidecar racer and chassis expert Colin Seeley to build a new frame. With the handling transformed, Barry won his first International title, the 1973 FIM Formula 750 Championship, as well as the 1973 MCN Superbike title.
1976 RG500 Suzuki
After three years of development, the 1976 version of the RG500 Suzuki was a born winner. Barry’s works version – the only one on the grid – was lighter than the production version and powered by a different engine with a slightly different bore and stroke. It had a wider spread of power than the standard RG500, although Barry claimed it was no quicker. The results from 1976 suggest otherwise, though, as Barry swept to five wins from six starts to clinch the 500cc World Championship.
1977 RG500 Suzuki
Barry’s 1977 Suzuki was a water-cooled two-stroke measuring 494cc and putting out 108bhp. Pre-season Barry had been locked in negotiations with Suzuki and there were rumours of him running his own Suzuki team, but he eventually re-signed with Texaco Heron Suzuki to ride the latest version of the RG. Despite increased competition, Barry won six races that year, the most famous of which was the Belgian Grand Prix, where he lapped the 8.7-mile course in a record average speed of 137.149mph. It remains the fastest ever lap recorded on any circuit anywhere in the world.
1984 RG500 Suzuki
The RG500 Suzuki that Barry used for his final 500cc World Championship season in 1984 was fitted with Randy Mamola’s ex-works XR45 motor, but he swapped the chassis for one made by Harris Performance. The engine proved to be slow, but the chassis expertise of Steve and Lester Harris meant that he had, arguably, the best handling machine on the grid. Variable head angles meant that Barry could alter the steering geometry of the bike from circuit to circuit, while the Harris brothers also fitted a variable rear suspension set-up. Barry’s lack of horsepower put him at a major disadvantage, but the package offered by the Harris brothers gave him sweet handling that allowed him to claw back some of the deficit.
Arguably the most famous crash helmet in motorcycling, Barry’s AGV helmet barely changed in design over the years save for sponsor’s logos. In 1969, most riders had plain designs and basic colours, so Barry added the Donald Duck logo to the front to try and get some attention. It most certainly worked! You can also see where a hole was drilled into the chin guard to allow Barry to take in fluids and have one last puff on his cigarette before getting down to business.
‘I chose that unusual [duck] sign because I reckoned it was so way-out that a lot of folks would have to take a second look.’ BARRY SHEENE
RECORDS
Having finished second in his first full season of racing in the 1969 125cc British Championship, Barry Sheene didn’t take long to win his first title. Success came just a year later in 1970 while he was still a teenager. From that moment on, he never looked back with race wins and podiums each and every year both at home and abroad.
With his first Grand Prix victory coming in 1971, Barry went on to take race wins on a wide variety of circuits and on a wide range of machinery all around the world. His 15-year career was adorned with titles and championships as well as accolades off the circuit, his success being recognised by fellow racers, journalists and, of course, the British public.
TIMELINE
| 1950 | Born on 11 September in London |
| 1968 | Makes racing debut at Brands Hatch on 17 March |
| 1969 | 2nd 125cc British Championship (Bultaco) |
| 1970 | 1st 125cc British Championship (Suzuki) |
| 1970 | 2nd 250cc British Championship (Bultaco) |
| 1970 | Makes Grand Prix debut on 27th September at Barcelona |
| 1971 | Takes first GP win on 4 July in the 125cc race in Belgium |
| 1971 | 2nd 125cc World Championship (Suzuki) |
| 1971 | 1st 125cc British Championship (Suzuki) |
| 1973 | 1st FIM Formula 750 Prize (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1973 | 1st 500cc Shellsport Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1973 | 1st MCN Superbike Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1974 | 6th 500cc World Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1974 | 1st 500cc Shellsport Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1974 | 1st MCN Superbike Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1975 | 6th 500cc World Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1975 | 2nd FIM Formula 750 Prize (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1976 | 1st 500cc World Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1976 | 1st 500cc Shellsport Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1976 | 1st MCN Superbike Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1977 | 1st 500cc World Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1977 | 1st 500cc Shellsport Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1977 | 1st MCN Superbike Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1978 | 2nd 500cc World Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1978 | 1st 500cc Shellsport Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1978 | 1st MCN Superbike Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1979 | 3rd 500cc World Championship (Texaco Heron Suzuki) |
| 1980 | 15th 500cc World Championship (Akai Yamaha) |
| 1981 | 4th 500cc World Championship (Akai Yamaha) |
| 1982 | 4th= 500cc World Championship (John Player Special Yamaha) |
| 1983 | 14th 500cc World Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1984 | 6th 500cc World Championship (Heron Suzuki) |
| 1984 | Makes final competitive outing 22 September at ITV World of Sport Superbike race |
| 2002 | 1st and 1st in the Classic support races at the British Grand Prix |
| 2002 | 1st and 2nd on a Manx Norton at the Goodwood Revival |
| 2003 | Passes away on 10 March, aged 52 |
GRAND PRIX SUMMARY
2 x World Championships
102 x Grand Prix starts
23 x Grand Prix wins
52 x Grand Prix podiums
GRAND PRIX WINS
| 1971 | 125cc Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) |
| 1971 | 50cc Czechoslovakian Grand Prix (Brno) |
| 1971 | 125cc Swedish Grand Prix (Anderstorp) |
| 1971 | 125cc Finnish Grand Prix (Imatra) |
| 1975 | 500cc Dutch Grand Prix (Assen) |
| 1975 | 500cc Swedish Grand Prix (Anderstorp) |
| 1976 | 500cc French Grand Prix (Le Mans) |
| 1976 | 500cc Austrian Grand Prix (Salzburgring) |
| 1976 | 500cc Italian Grand Prix (Mugello) |
| 1976 | 500cc Dutch Grand Prix (Assen) |
| 1976 | 500cc Swedish Grand Prix (Anderstorp) |
| 1977 | 500cc Venezuelan Grand Prix (San Carlos) |
| 1977 | 500cc West German Grand Prix (Hockenheim) |
| 1977 | 500cc Italian Grand Prix (Imola) |
| 1977 | 500cc French Grand Prix (Paul Ricard) |
| 1977 | 500cc Belgian Grand Prix (Spa-Francorchamps) |
| 1977 | 500cc Swedish Grand Prix (Anderstorp) |
| 1978 | 500cc Venezuelan Grand Prix (San Carlos) |
| 1978 | 500cc Swedish Grand Prix (Karlskoga) |
| 1979 | 500cc Venezuelan Grand Prix (San Carlos) |
| 1979 | 500cc Swedish Grand Prix (Karlskoga) |
| 1979 | 500cc French Grand Prix (Le Mans) |
| 1981 | 500cc Swedish Grand Prix (Anderstorp) |
Barry’s success in the 500cc World Championship saw him receive four FIM medals: two golds for his title-winning years of 1976 and 1977, silver for the runner-up spot in 1978 and bronze for third in 1979.
OTHER
Awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List – 1978
Third, BBC Sports Personality of the Year – 1977
Winner of the Seagrave Trophy – 1977, 1984
Motor Cycle News Man of the Year – 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1979
Winner of the International Gold Cup at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough – 1973, 1974, 1979, 1984
Winner of the International Race of the Year at Mallory Park – 1974, 1975, 1978
BONES BROKEN DURING RACING CAREER
Toes | 3x Left / 4x Right
Left Ankle | Once
Right Ankle | 4 Times
Left Tibia and Fibula | Once
Right Tibia and Fibula | Twice
Left Femur | Once
Heelbone | Once
Vertebrae | Twelve
Ribs | 4x Left / 5x Right
Split Kidney | Once
Collarbone | 3x Left / 4x Right
Right Forearm | Once
Wrist | 4x Left / 1x Right
Metacarpals | 4x Left
Knuckles | 4x Left
Fingers | 4x Left
Amputated Left Little Finger
TEAMS AND BIKES
1968–1969
TS 125cc Bultaco (Sheene Racing)
TS 250cc Bultaco (Sheene Racing)
TS 350cc Bultaco (Sheene Racing)
1970–1971
50cc Van Veen Kreidler (Kreidler Racing)
TS 125cc Bultaco (Sheene Racing)
TS 250cc Bultaco (Sheene Racing)
TS 350cc Bultaco (Sheene Racing)
RT67 125cc Suzuki (Sheene Racing)
TD 250cc Yamaha (Gerard Brown)
250cc Derbi (Derbi Racing)
T20 250cc Suzuki (Crooks Racing)
350cc Yamsel (John Cooper Racing)
TR500 Suzuki (Sheene Racing)
500cc Kawasaki Mach 1
750cc Norton Commando (Gus Kuhn Racing)
1972
250cc TZ Yamaha (Sonauto Yamaha)
350cc TZ Yamaha (Sonauto Yamaha)
1973
TR 500cc Suzuki (Suzuki GB)
TR 750cc Suzuki (Suzuki GB)
1974–75
RG 500cc Suzuki (Suzuki GB)
TR 750cc Suzuki (Suzuki GB)
1976
RG 500cc Suzuki (Texaco Heron/Suzuki GB)
RG 535cc Suzuki (Texaco Heron/Suzuki GB)
RG 750cc Suzuki (Texaco Heron/Suzuki GB)
1977–1979
RG 500cc Suzuki (Texaco Heron/Suzuki GB)
RG 652cc Suzuki (Texaco Heron/Suzuki GB)
GS 1000cc Suzuki (Paul Dunstall Racing – 1979 only)
1980–1981
OW54 & OW60 TZ 500cc Yamaha (Akai Yamaha/Barry Sheene Racing)
TZ 750cc Yamaha (Akai Yamaha/Barry Sheene Racing)
1982
OW60 TZ 500cc Yamaha (John Player Special/Barry Sheene Racing)
1983–1984
RG 500cc Suzuki (Heron Suzuki GB)
XR69 1000cc Suzuki (Heron Suzuki GB)
CREDITS
The publishers would like to thank the following sources for their kind permission to reproduce the pictures in this book.
Estate of Barry Sheene: 6, 9, 13, 15, 16, 21, 23, 24, 26-27, 28, 29 bl & br, 30, 34, 35, 36-37, 38-39, 41, 47, 49, 56, 60, 65, 66, 70, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84-85, 86, 90, 91, 92, 100, 104, 105, 112 r, 113, 118, 119, 132, 135, 138, 139, 146, 148, 149, 152, 153, 166, 168, 171, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184 t, 185, 186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193 tl, 193, ml, 193 bl, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 199, 200, 201, 202, 216, 217, 220, 223
Original photography and archival image processing by Rod Morris
Dave Dyer / F1 Photographs: 193 r
Don Morley: 4, 109, 110-111, 141, 161
FremantleMedia: 68-69
Getty Images 19, 29 t, 31, 43, 46, 71, 76-77, 79, 106-107, 108, 112 l, 114, 115, 121, 127b, 128-129, 130, 131, 133, 134, 144, 145, 159, 162-163, 206, 207, 208, 210
Jasin Boland: 211, 212, 213, 214, 215
LAT Photographic: 10-11
MirrorPix: 50-51, 52, 53, 73, 96, 97, 102, 103, 136, 142, 154, 155, 158, 181, 184 b
Mortons Archive: 32, 40, 42, 44-45, 74-75, 88-89, 99, 101, 120, 122-123, 147
Phil Wain Family Archive: 137, 140, 143, 160
Press Association: 54, 78, 87, 157 164, 224
Richard Francis / Actionplus: 151
Suzuki GB: 93, 94–95, 116, 124–125, 126, 127 b
www.sutton-images.com: 188, 205
Every effort has been made to acknowledge correctly and contact the source and/or copyright holder of each picture and Bloomsbury apologizes for any unintentional errors or omissions that will be corrected in future editions of this book.
Bloomsbury would like to thank the Estate of Barry Sheene’s management team, Santara Group (www.santaragroup.com), for their support and work on this book.
Records compiled by Phil Wain
Race number ‘7’ will forever be associated with Barry Sheene. It adorned his bike, helmet and leathers from 1974 to 1984, and Sheene continued to use the number when he was reigning world champion even though he was entitled to ride as No.1.