Classic Racer

Classic Racer takes you so close you can actually smell the Castrol R. With the world's finest archive, and an editorial team who live and breathe the sport, the only way you'll get closer will be to put on your leathers.

Classic Racer

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Fred Clarke • In his regular column for Classic Racer, Fred Clarke – for more than 50 years the voice of British motorcycle racing – takes us back in time for some (often fun) recollections!

Whatever happened to? JOCK WEST • Something of a legendary figure in the British motorcycle industry for many decades, Jock West was also a very accomplished racer.

TOO TALL TEL! TWO • Terry Rymer: First Brit to win a WSB race, former British Superbike champion, European Superbike champion and double World Endurance champion. His later career, all in his own words.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE! • Alan Cathcart rides the 1992 GILERA GFR250

CLASSIC ACTION! • Following on from a disappointing Isle of Man TT, much was expected of the classic event held in August. Our man John Watterson was there.

TOM HERRON • Tom Herron was arguably the greatest motorcycle racer Ireland ever produced. Not only was he a superb road-racer and TT winner, but he was also a factory Suzuki rider – and teammate to Barry Sheene – in the 500cc Grand Prix world championship at the time of his death in 1979. In our final instalment, Herron’s widow, Andrea Coleman, talks us through that fateful day at the North West 200 in 1979.

1979 RTM 350/4

SILVER DREAM NIGHTMARE RACER • It may have looked glamorous up on the silver screen, with David Essex winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, but for one man, the classic bike racing movie Silver Dream Racer turned into something of a nightmare. Now, for the first time, the designer and builder of the futuristic racer breaks his silence on how the movie changed his life.

TED ON MIKE • As legendary journalist Ted Macauley passes away at the age of 91, Classic Racer unveils his final insight into the life and character of his best friend, Mike Hailwood. Still considered by many to be the greatest motorcycle racer of all time, Hailwood was a truly humble man who simply couldn’t understand why he was so revered.

BRIGHT SPARK! • Dan North is an electrician from Dunstable and is looking forward to a busy year of racing on various classic machinery during 2026. Classic Racer will be following his exploits.

ALLSPEED AHEAD! • We’re back with Team Allspeed as they head to their home circuit of Brands Hatch and then to the Midlands and Donington Park.

Randy Mamola • Randy Mamola is a legend. The Californian is a four-time 500cc championship runner-up, a 13-time 500cc race winner, race commentator and philanthropist. He brings us stories old and new and writes exclusively for Classic Racer.

Back in the Day • Welcome to ‘Back in the Day’ where we want to see all your old photographs from way back when. They could be of you racing, or perhaps you meeting your racing idol – or maybe just snaps you’ve taken at a race event from yesteryear: do be mindful of copyright! There’s a prize for the best! Send them to: bertie.simmonds@kelsey.co.uk