Barry Sheene

The last British premier-class world champion and a pioneer of rider safety.

Barry Steven Frank Sheene (11 September 1950 – 10 March 2003) was a British professional motorcycle racer and television sports presenter. He competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing, most prominently as a member of the Suzuki factory racing team where he won two consecutive FIM World Championships. Sheene remains the last British competitor to win the premier class of FIM road racing competitions.

Quick Facts

Nationality: British
Born: 11 September 1950
Birthplace: London, England
Died: 10 March 2003
Place of death: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Lore & Background

Sheene was the first motorcycle racer to gain commercial endorsements from outside the sport, including television advertisements for Brut cologne. He was a strong proponent of race track safety and one of the first competitors to object to racing at the Isle of Man TT. After retiring from racing in 1984, he relocated to Australia, working as a motorsport commentator and property developer. In 2011, the FIM inducted him into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Sheene began racing in 1968 at age 17 on a Bultaco. He wore a crash helmet with a Donald Duck image from 1969 onward, and his racing number 7 became his trademark. His father Frank served as his mechanic in the early years of his career. Sheene scored his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 1971 Belgian Grand Prix and helped Jan de Vries secure the 1971 50cc World Championship. He finished second in the 1971 125cc World Championship in his rookie season.

Did You Know?

Sheene drilled a hole in his crash helmet chin piece so he could smoke a cigarette while waiting on the starting grid.
He first met American champion Gary Nixon in 1971 and wore a Gary Nixon t-shirt beneath his leathers as a good luck charm.
Sheene won the 50cc Czechoslovakian Grand Prix in 1971 by over two and a half minutes.
He was a cigarette smoker from age nine, favoring Gitanes cigarettes, which contributed to his death from cancer in 2003.