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

He was paid how much?

The Man in Black

Big-time andit!

WEISE TEMPEST RUCKSACK WORTH £79.99 • Put your racing knowledge to the test and complete the puzzle to be in with a chance of winning this great prize. Good luck!

readers write

Paddock Gossip

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? FRANK KENNEDY • One of the famous Armoy Armada, ‘Big’ Frank Kennedy was a very handy racer, despite his size. He would forever find posthumous fame as one of the protagonists in the 1977 film ‘The Road Racers’.

SUPER SPENCER! • Always spectacular and always an enigma, Freddie Spencer’s star shone so very bright during the early to mid-1980s, especially during that remarkable double championship of 1985.

IT’S A CLASSIC ENCOUNTER

LAST OF THE LAV-IATHANS! • As the last of the line of some very special Laverda race bikes, the 1983 RGS 1000 TT1 has earned its place in two-wheeled race history. Alan Cathcart enjoys the goods…

FREDDIE SPENCER • Freddie Spencer: two-time 500cc world champion (1983, 1985) and 250cc world champion (1985).

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.

1983 HONDA NS500

WORLD-BEATING BRITS! • In our final part, Niall Mackenzie and Donnie McLeod tell us of their on- and off-track battles to take a (largely) British bike on to the world stage.

DAVE THE DANGER MAN! • Racer, engineer, manufacturer, test rider, bike dealer and – stunt man? Dave Degens led a full and amazing life.

THE JONES BOY • In the second and final part of our tribute, Craig Jones’ parents, Steve and Yvonne, remember the final years of his brief but brilliant career.

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