Post by BADGER on Jun 5, 2006 2:18:01 GMT
Barry Sheen
What ever i put down here, it will never be enough to show just how much "our Bazza" had an impact on us all. michaelzrx
Sheen took after his ex-racer Dad, Frank, who also ran a succesful tuning business. Sheene's debut was on a 125 cc Bultlaco at Brands in 1968, although he crashed out after suffering from a seized engine. As a result of his father's links with the Bultaco factory, he was fortunate enough to get a works ride the following season. Sheene purchased Stuart Graham's ex-factory Suzuki 125 cc twin and almost got the 125 cc world title, failing at the final round in Spain being beaten by Angel Nieto.
In 1972 he switch to Yamaha, without success but his luck changed when he switched to Suzuki as an official rider. However, Sheene suffered an horrific accident at Daytona in March 1975 while riding a 180 mph three-cylinder Suzuki. He made a speedy recovery and raced again 5 weeks later. In 1976 on a works Suzuki he won five out of ten rounds to take the world title. An amazing feat as he did not finish four rounds and runner-up at the other. The following year he retained the title by winning six rounds
In 1978 (2nd) and 1979 (3rd) he experienced some great races with Kenny Roberts, who won the titles both years. Sheene then raced with a Yamaha, sponsored by Akai but found that the privateer bike was no match against the works machinery. At the end of 1981 Yamaha offered Sheene a contract and he won the final round in Sweden and finished 4th in the title. In 1982 he suffered a further serious accident while practicing for the Silverstone British GP, again he recovered but failed to make an impact in the GP's. He officially retired in 1984 and emigrated to Australia
A true legend, 2 times 500 cc World Grand Prix Champion in 1976 and 1977 made famous for winning the GP 500 World title and also for two horrific crashes, but continued to race despite all obstacles. He will be sadly missed by all that were fortunate enough to remember his career.
STATS
Residence - Australia
Marital Status - to Stephanie
Children - 2, Sidonie and Freddie
Race Stats
1968 - Made debut at age of 18 at Brands Hatch but crashed, but gains 1st win a month later
1970 - 125 cc British Champion
1971 - 125 cc runner up in British Championship and runner up in 125 World Championship
1975 - 1st win in 500 cc at Assen, beating Giacomo Augustini at the last corner. Sevaral months later he crashes at Daytone while doing 170 mph
1976 - 500 cc world champion with 5 wins
1977 - 500 cc world champion with 6 wins from 9 starts
1978 - Loses title to Kenny Roberts, awarded MBE
1979 - Loses title to Kenny Roberts again
1981 - Last GP 500 win at Angerstorp, still the last Brit to win a GP 500 race
1982 - In contention for the Championship up to a horrific crash at Silverstone in practice for the GP race
1983 - Makes comeback and returns on a sub standard Suzuki, appears in the film 'Space Riders' based on the GP year
1984 - Retired and went to live in Australia............
In 2002, he was diagnosed with cancer of the throat and stomach. But, displaying his forthright approach, he vowed to fight it.
"Although this is a complete pain in the arse, it happens to a lot of people and a lot of people get over it," he said.
Sheene may have lost that final battle, but for many, even those who had no interest in motorcycling, he was a national icon.
"Our Bazza" R.I.P
What ever i put down here, it will never be enough to show just how much "our Bazza" had an impact on us all. michaelzrx
Sheen took after his ex-racer Dad, Frank, who also ran a succesful tuning business. Sheene's debut was on a 125 cc Bultlaco at Brands in 1968, although he crashed out after suffering from a seized engine. As a result of his father's links with the Bultaco factory, he was fortunate enough to get a works ride the following season. Sheene purchased Stuart Graham's ex-factory Suzuki 125 cc twin and almost got the 125 cc world title, failing at the final round in Spain being beaten by Angel Nieto.
In 1972 he switch to Yamaha, without success but his luck changed when he switched to Suzuki as an official rider. However, Sheene suffered an horrific accident at Daytona in March 1975 while riding a 180 mph three-cylinder Suzuki. He made a speedy recovery and raced again 5 weeks later. In 1976 on a works Suzuki he won five out of ten rounds to take the world title. An amazing feat as he did not finish four rounds and runner-up at the other. The following year he retained the title by winning six rounds
In 1978 (2nd) and 1979 (3rd) he experienced some great races with Kenny Roberts, who won the titles both years. Sheene then raced with a Yamaha, sponsored by Akai but found that the privateer bike was no match against the works machinery. At the end of 1981 Yamaha offered Sheene a contract and he won the final round in Sweden and finished 4th in the title. In 1982 he suffered a further serious accident while practicing for the Silverstone British GP, again he recovered but failed to make an impact in the GP's. He officially retired in 1984 and emigrated to Australia
A true legend, 2 times 500 cc World Grand Prix Champion in 1976 and 1977 made famous for winning the GP 500 World title and also for two horrific crashes, but continued to race despite all obstacles. He will be sadly missed by all that were fortunate enough to remember his career.
STATS
Residence - Australia
Marital Status - to Stephanie
Children - 2, Sidonie and Freddie
Race Stats
1968 - Made debut at age of 18 at Brands Hatch but crashed, but gains 1st win a month later
1970 - 125 cc British Champion
1971 - 125 cc runner up in British Championship and runner up in 125 World Championship
1975 - 1st win in 500 cc at Assen, beating Giacomo Augustini at the last corner. Sevaral months later he crashes at Daytone while doing 170 mph
1976 - 500 cc world champion with 5 wins
1977 - 500 cc world champion with 6 wins from 9 starts
1978 - Loses title to Kenny Roberts, awarded MBE
1979 - Loses title to Kenny Roberts again
1981 - Last GP 500 win at Angerstorp, still the last Brit to win a GP 500 race
1982 - In contention for the Championship up to a horrific crash at Silverstone in practice for the GP race
1983 - Makes comeback and returns on a sub standard Suzuki, appears in the film 'Space Riders' based on the GP year
1984 - Retired and went to live in Australia............
In 2002, he was diagnosed with cancer of the throat and stomach. But, displaying his forthright approach, he vowed to fight it.
"Although this is a complete pain in the arse, it happens to a lot of people and a lot of people get over it," he said.
Sheene may have lost that final battle, but for many, even those who had no interest in motorcycling, he was a national icon.
"Our Bazza" R.I.P