Your memories of Barry Sheene

Tributes to the late Barry Sheene have been flooding on to our message boards since his death was announced yesterday (March 10).

The thing that stands out above all others when reading through them is his dedication to his fans and the impact that he had on the lives of so many people. Everyone that met Barry came away with a lasting impression and it is clear that he was happy to share a few moments of his life with you, whether you just happened to bump into him in the street or you worked in the garage next door.

We’ve collected some of your personal tales and tributes here, but to read all the messages, or to post one yourself, please follow the link on the right.

Gatwick235: I was fortunate enough to have met Sheenie when I worked for a company that was next door to the Suzuki HQ. He had just got the 125 Suzuki that was going to make his name in GPs. Even though he didn’t know me from Adam, he put himself out explaining the finer details of the bike to me. This was what the guy was about, he had time for everyone whether you were Joe Bloggs or the chief executive of his sponsors. Barry you are one of life’s greats!

Patty: As a female in the pits in the late 1970s, I, along with several other women have wonderful memories of Sheenie. Quite the ladies man! A true motorcycle talent. God Bless.

Cranercrew: As a marshal I have been lucky enough to meet many great riders but my most treasured memory will always be watching Barry win at the GP last year in the classic race, then having the pleasure to meet him afterwards. The look on his face as people walked past Rossi, Roberts, and Biaggi to get his autograph! His laugh when he said they were the new heroes and he was just some old geezer! And then when I said he was an inspiration to myself and everyone I knew, his reply was that the marshals were the only real heroes. That I will never forget.

I hope the men at Dorna and the FIM realise the immense loss and not only withdraw that famous No7 but also name the trophy for the British GP in his honour.

John the chain: Picture this. 1978, a kid gets to ride his FSIE on his sixteenth birthday. Down the alley and out on the road for my first ever ride down to Box Hill. Every inch of that trip I was Bazza. Around that time we all were, that’s the impact he had on us all. Remember when we got pulled? ” Who do you think you are then; Barry Sheene?” “Nah mate, if I was Bazza you would never have caught me.” I even had my L-plate upside down (to look like a 7) Whoops, 3 more points!

Philippe7: As a young fan from France I used to cheer Barry along in Anderstorp, Le Mans, or Brands in the seventies. Many years later, after having moved myself to New Caledonia in the Southern hemisphere, I couldn’t believe my eyes when he came to sit at the table besides mine in a Sydney restaurant on the evening of the 94 Australian GP. We had a delightful conversation, and when I left the restaurant I gave him a business card, although certain that he would throw it away as soon as I had walked out the door. I couldn’t believe my ears when the phone rang two years later and my secretary told me a mister ‘Chine’ was on the phone from Australia! Barry was not able to find those awful French Gitanes cigarettes that eventually took his life and he was wondering whether I could send him some from New Caledonia (a French territory). Of course I moved heaven and earth to organise that, and for a couple of years we had a nice little ‘contraband’ operation going on until he finally managed to quit smoking. He seemed so grateful, and extended an open invitation for me to visit him at his house on the Gold Coast, which I ultimately did in 97. I spent a lovely couple of hours with him, admiring and discussing his superb GP bike collection, his trophies, and photograph room. I last met him in the Albert Park paddock during the 2000 Formula 1 GP. He was ever so friendly, asking me to enquire about the various helicopter types that could be rented in New Caledonia, because he wanted to take his children there for a holiday. Unfortunately he didn’t have enough time left.

Oiseaunoir1137: Barry Sheene: top rider, top bloke. I still treasure the photo of me stood by your blue Rolls Royce (BSR 7) next to the pits at Snetterton in the summer of 1977. Happy days. God bless you mate, my biking years are better because of you and all your fellow racers.

Miketaylor65: I never met him or had any business with him, so I don’t know what sort of person he really was, but as a wide eyed youngster, I watched him race at speeds I couldn’t comprehend. Whenever I read about him, my mind goes back to my youth and I feel young again. He was such a rare icon that even the mention of his name conjures up all sorts of memories. Are there any others like that today? I don’t think so. While I respected his views against conventional cancer treatments, I just wish he’d taken them because he might still have been here. Selfish of me I know.

Daytonademon955: I watched Barry from the mid’ 70s,but the greatest influence he had on me was a bad bike accident I had in ’84 when I damaged my legs. His comeback in ’82 from the Silverstone crash inspired me to throw away the crutches and get on with my recovery. I told the physio nurses ” If Barry can do it so can I ” . A legend has gone but let’s not forget two children that have lost a father. Sympathy to all his family. God be with you Barry. So long for now.

Johnholt: I started riding bikes in the early 1970s and followed his racing career. Like many others I was totally gripped by his duels with Kenny Roberts. I know Bazza was not at all enamoured with the TT as a championship circuit, but he had something very much in common with the guys who have raced there – tremendous skill and courage. He would not have been out of place in the company of the greats that raced regularly at the TT. Bazza showed the same courage and dignity in facing his illness as he did in his dedication to his racing career. I hope Joey Dunlop is waiting for him with a pint right now!

Mete996r: The spirit of this great man will live on. Thanks for the memories Barry. I will never forget the thrill of receiving a birthday card from the man; it has a special place in my home. Sitting up late at night watching the GPs, sharing his enthusiasm, disagreeing with his comments, laughing at his wicked sense of humour, now writing with a tear in my eye, lamenting the passing of a true champion. Ride on Barry Sheene.

Follow the link on the right to go to our news discussion board and read all of the tributes or post one of your own.