Table of Contents

CONTENTSAcknowledgementsForewordsIntroductionCHAPTER ONEEarly DaysScarboroughHeroesGetting StartedMotocross Correspondent At LargeJeff Smith and Dave BickersTV Scrambling and SnobberyEuropean SceneTravels with JeffCars and TrucksHard and Crazy MenForeign LandsFast ForeignersMotorcycle NewsMoving OnCHAPTER TWOA New ChapterStorming NormanBoom TimesDangerousNew HorizonsFirst TasteA New AdventureOn the RoadInside ViewAgoPhil ReadPhil and BillProtective WomenMick Grant and Chas MortimerOther Brits (and Jon)Ladies' ManCHAPTER THREEJarnoItaliansBehind the Iron CurtainPaddock NightlifeFascinating PeopleScandinaviansVive le FranceOrientalsSpaniardsTiddlersMore PeopleThe SwissImatraWhite SlaverySuicidal FansCHAPTER FOURMr CommentatorRight Said FredMuddy WatersHow to Do ItBosses at the BeebFacilitiesRobber BaronsFormula 750Doing Things DifferentlyDangerous CircuitsThe AccidentDeath TollCredit Where it's DueTragedy Close to HomeStopping FastCHAPTER FIVEBarry SheeneKing KennyRandy MamolaCrozRocket RonSidecar RacersTunersMike TrimbyWorld SeriesThe Blazer BrigadeDifferent StrokesDifferent FolksCHAPTER SIXThe More Things ChangeNear MissA Breed ApartWhy People RaceThe Cost of RacingMotorcycle WeeklyDrinking CultureFire EscapeCHAPTER SEVENDaytonaAll the way to AmericaAmerican AdventuresGary NixonDale SingletonMore AmericansOn the RoadVenezuelaIdeas ManThe Birth of World SuperbikesProfiterolesIsle of Man TTTT Press OfficeTT TalesHailwood ComebackCHAPTER EIGHTInto the EightiesPeter CliffordTeam GallinaDining OutMechanicsThat's LifeChanging TimesFast FreddieRevvin' KevinBig StarsJohn KocinskyBubbling UnderMax BiaggiPierfrancesco ChiliBye Bye BrianCHAPTER NINECh Ch Ch Changes...Dave and DermotYoung GunsFoggyFast MenDodgy CharactersMacauTV WorkGetting On With PeopleBikeSport NewsSimply the BestA Marshal's Lot is Not a Happy OneA Word About GeoffSlowing Down Lap

About the Author

Richard Skelton has been a motorcyclist since first taking to the road on a Yamaha FS1-E on his 16th birthday in 1976, and his first book, Funky Mopeds, was about the 1970s sports moped phenomenon in which he played an active part.After 30 years working in the television industry as a sound editor, and time spent working as a newspaper reporter, and as a writer for BikeSport News and other racing publications, he now combines writing books about motorcycles and classic cars with running a small B&B in the Yorkshire Pennines.

Reviews

"Sometimes cutting, often funny, always truthful ... a truly enjoyable, informative and fascinating read." - "Nacelle" A light-hearted book for you to enjoy ... this is not one to leave lying around to impress visitors but I am sure it will spend a lot of time travelling when the same friends borrow it Motor Cycling Club (MCC) an in depth, warts and all account of the riders who work hard and play hard ... [an]extremely interesting book ... I learnt a lot from this book and would recommend it without hesitation to those interested in past motorcycle sport. On The Level He says what he thinks about people, and tells it like it was. A great and informative read! Fishtail this is a rather 'chaotic' book ... It goes from one rider, circuit or country to another and back again with little apparent order. But that's actually a large part of the book's charm - it's like sitting down with Chris for a number of hilarious anecdotes and very honest opinion, based on decades spent on the inside of the sport. Bike Rider Magazine Hiding nothing and telling everything, Chris ... has produced a truly mighty winner, and it comes highly recommended. Old Bike Mart Chris Carter at his very best ... this book should be at the top of everyone's reading list Ian Kerr The stories are peppered with unique insights, many remarkable details and funny anecdotes. It is a book that you'd devour and occasionally stirred you to tears, the one time of deep sadness and other times laughing. Frans Geurts