My mum took me to a Barry Sheene book signing in 1977, he spoke to us for 10 minutes, he chatted to me, a 9 year old for ten minutes, a true gentleman and sadly missed.
As a 10 year old kid I used to sneak into test days at Donnington Park. Barry always treated me with respect and always answered any questions I had even though he was 500 world champion at the time. Memories that will stay with me forever. Top bloke and very much missed by many. RIP Barry
Yes I never met Barry Sheene but he struck me as a very genuine person who was massively talented and spoke his mind and bugger the consequences, top bloke
I must disagree with you, as many years ago whilst attending the British Grand Prix in 1977, he refused to come out of his caravan to meet doting fans. There were quite a few of us on that day, and on recollection I remembered he clearly saw all of us, but showed no interest in even coming to say hello. Most there were after his autograph, but they went away disappointed. What a shame he could not have been as charming as Mike Hailwood, who I met on several occasions, a real gentleman, as was Sergi Agostini. Barry Sheene, I am sorry, not one of my favourites.
@@peterlewis3540 Sorry to hear that, Peter. Who knows what was on his mind that day? I'm afraid to say you're the voice of the few. Most of us thought he was fabulous - and still do!
Some top racers , myself included, do not want to be distracted before a race. Especially the 50cc Race at the Isle of Mann TT , which I like to race in. These racers can DIE in a blink of an eye and have to concentrate on there race and game plan. I would gladly meet people AFTER the race, but not before. ITs like = fans say a celebrity is an asshole because he will not sign an autograph while eating at a fancy restaurant. WOULD YOU like to be bothered at your table while eating? It is very annoying I tell ya. The teacher on Welcome back Kotter had some great advice on fans years and years ago. Don't bother him while he is eating. It was sage advice when I was staying at a Holiday inn in 84' and was eating breakfast when the lead guitar for CHeap Trick walks in with his baseball cap and bandersprat and orders food. I raised my hand to him from across the room , but did not approach the great Guitar player. People are human, and talent requires a lot of concentration to be and stay on top. RH DSD
Not to mention the horror-smash at Silverstone. Everyone present thought he was definitely dead. The wreckage spread for hundreds of metres. Unreal. They don't make 'em like that anymore. 👍
You was my idle in the 70s and I've been riding since1975,and I'm still riding to this day .and I'm 52.loved all your races,and you still to this day give inspiration to those who wasn't even born.you was a true racer Barry Sheene,one of the all time greats.with love Barry Sheene R.i.p.love you always.
Even though I never met him, Barry was my fathers cousin. My father described him as very funny, and I can agree as I’ve searched the internet about him. Rest In Peace Barry. You never deserved to die.
Baz, one of the most genuine, honest decent human beings you could ever meet. I had the honour of meeting him 2001 and 2002 at Donington. He was racing Manx Norton Walmsleys in the classic GPs. An absolute legend, my childhood hero.
Nice to see this , when I was a teenager in the late seventies I worshipped Barry sheen and he was a fantastic ambassador for the sport and he had some fantastic battles with his arch rival Kenny Roberts that where truly epic......RIP to a true legend .
Apart from the first bike, I saw him race every one of those. Great memories. Never seen this little film before, so pleased to see it. Miss you Barry x
I met Barry as a child and he gave me two minutes of his time Launching heron Suzuki, which ill never forget and always my idol as a result. He always had time for others like the rossis and Hamiltons today, that's what makes them popular for sure.
I remember a series of programs on Barry and his father, it shows Barry taking a water kettle(gt 750 Suzuki) down the road for a blast popping wheelies etc, I've always wanted to find that footage if anyone knows what its called, I'm sure it covered his Daytona crash and recovery also.
True Brit great Champion brilliant showman sadly missed thanks for posting memories never fade away and to all you racers out there that number (7) is a honour to wear a honour to a Legend
I meet him at a pub on Phillip Island during a grand prix weekend, I was so starstruck all I could blurt out was "Hi, can I shake your hand?' he smiled and shook my hand, total legend and sadly missed
A true sportsman, a true gentleman. And a very clever bloke. He had the foresight back in that era to have the factory racing teams contractually sign over the bikes he rode. Unique indeed. Apart from the fame and fortune he truely had an immense passion for motorcycles.
Great bloke despite his fame was still down to earth and I loved walking in the pits at circuits like Cadwell Park and listening to them chatting to the pit crew as you could in those days.
I lived down the road from Barry in Carrara , i saw him buying some fish from the seafood shop at cocos next to carrara markets i herd he was sick with cancer so i didnt want to bother him for an autograph so i just kinda waved , a few weeks latter he passed away i usto love wathcin him on wide world of sports he was a legend
I met Barry at Brands Hatch one evening in 1976 , he came to chat to us members of the Suzuki Owners club , London Branch. He arrived in a Rolls Royce and signed any and everything asked ! I can still remember the ride back into London with the others, two stroke smoke all the way down 'Death Hill' - Happy Days . Also met his Dad Franco many years later, when he was helping another race legend Paul Smart (his son in law), collecting a motorcycle I sold him, when he had his own dealership in Kent UK.Lovely family - RIP Barry
Barry Sheene absolute legend I used to work with a guy Little Ray Pavert who used to race against Barry and at the start line he (Barry) would stand up and look around and when asked why he would say “I’m looking around to see who’s coming second” RIP Barry Sheene
Raced or not, I suspect all of us have a nostalgia inspired soft spot for our first bike if it was reasonably reliable so we spent any amount of time on it. I know I do.
Sheeney.. not just a mega rider, but a character.. A STAR!... my hero for that too. I try to live by "don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out and meet the bloody thing" .. from a poster in MCN from when he passed.
Top bloke, my idol when I was a kid in the 70's used stick my knee out going round corners on my racer pushbike just like Bazza did on his Suzuki, a real sad day when he passed, sorely missed 😟
Great guy I met him once in 1968 when he was racing at Snetterton on his Bultaco ... He was 18, I was 15 ... Changed my life , been riding bikes ever since ...
great man himself still miss him watched him at brands as school boy and at silver stone its not same with out him motorcycle racing was best back then
Passion and warmth from a true Great Britain, he was around when I was a kid and he really was a superstar, and now sadly missed. Can you imagine how big he would be today with the internet and more 'sports' channels.
Guys like him and James Hunt would be destroyed in this day and age, the sanctioning bodies would either destroy their personalities if they wanted to race or they wouldn't be allowed to race. Either way the Barry Sheene we all looked up to back then wouldn't be allowed to exist in this day and age. It was the 70's after all, when playboys ruled the world 😎😎😎
I met Barry on several occasions when I lived in Australia ( I'm English , but grew up there). He was an absolute gent, and was a schoolboy hero of mine, so meeting him later on in life was an honour. I worked for a company in Sydney, and one of the lads I worked with loved Barry more than me. We went to the opening of a large motorcycle dealership in Sydney, where Barry was the main guest of honour. My mate had a replica helmet of Barry's, which he spent a lot of money buying. He brought it along , hoping to get it signed, but was too shy to go up to Barry and ask. Everybody was getting photos , autographs etc, but I introduced myself and pointed out my mate. Barry asked me his name, walked over to him, called him by his first name ( Steve) and they talked for about 5 minutes. He signed the helmet too. BUT....he asked Steve for his address , and said if he found anything of interest , he'd send it through the mail. Weeks later a box turned up at Steve's, from Barry , with a note full of posters , stickers and if I remember a couple of t-shirts, hats and just general memorabilia stuff. Must have been twenty items. Now THAT is class. My step father went to buy me Barry's book, and low and behold in the bookshop in Wollongong at the time was another motorcycling World Champion, Wayne Gardner. He gladly signed Barry's book for me, and it is the prized possession of my autobiography book collection. Saw him on the Gold Coast , with his wife , Stephanie ( I think ) and he talked to me for a while a few years later, even ( I'm sure he didn't) saying he'd remembered meeting me in Sydney. Not only a World Champion rider, an even better World Class Man. Sadly missed. x
Thank's for posting this video, it's a diamond like the guy it portrays. I regret never meeting Barry Sheen, but he forged my love of motorbikes and riding them. Cheers. Chris
I met Barry once he came over from AU's to officially open the new store I worked for ' The spares people in Camberley UK , must of been around 87 . what a bloke he was RIP Barry never forgotten
Best riders ever, number 7 Barry Sheene watched him battle it out in the Trans Atlantic challenge at Brands Hatch in the 70's and number 34 Kevin Swantz both Suzuki legends!
Legend, lurve that his Original bike meant so much! Oulton park '76 Transatlantic ill never forget him riding through gravel about a foot away, i was deaf almost as he stoked Num 7 up! I hope to meet Baz in heaven to autograph my Broken wings.
So glad i got to meet the best ever and idol.and photo of us together.great man true gent.and legend no one comes close.rip Barry.of course im gonna bloody ride again.great quote.
Saw Bazza at Goodwood early 2000s, always followed him. Must have had a premonition , as I cried when l saw him and Steph, sitting down and chatting in the pits! He had to move to Australia because of the cold weather affected his broken bones, never see the like of him again!