Barry Sheene
Date of Birth - September 11th 1950
Introduction
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
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