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

The King

Boxer beat!

So near…

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Whatever happened to? KUNIMITSU TAKAHASHI • One of the first generation of talented Japanese motorcycle racers, Kunimitsu Takahashi would come close to glory on two wheels before becoming the ‘grandfather of drift’ on four wheels.

SUPER SIZE ME! PART TWO • In the second of our three-part series, Rob McElnea tells Classic Racer about his years in the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship. Big Mac reveals that on a 500, size really does matter…

KELLY’S HEROES • Honda’s four-cylinder CB400F was a hit with British riders when it was launched 50 years ago. But it also turned into a tidy production racer. John Nutting remembers their production racing exploits, set up thanks to legend Peter Kelly, which led to three 400 Four racers called ‘Faith, Hope and Charity’ hitting the tracks.

THE MAGIC OF MICK

BARRY SHEENE’S 1977 SUZUKI RG500

BRAKE MARKERS • Italian firm Brembo is recognised as one of the leading manufacturers of braking equipment for both four and two wheels, on both road and track. In 2025 they celebrate 50 years in motorsport.

1967 SUZUKI RS67 125CC V4 • Grand Prix racing became all cloak and dagger when – in 1961 – East German MZ works rider Ernst Degner defected to the west and joined the Suzuki team. With him came the two-stroke technology with which he and Suzuki won the 50cc world title in 1962. Kiwi Hugh Anderson repeated the feat in 1963 and 1964. However, by 1967 Suzuki’s singles and twins had been superseded by multi-cylinder machines of increasing sophistication. Released at the last race of that year, the RS67 was a liquid-cooled, two-stroke V4 featuring rotary valves and 12-speed transmission. This was a high-tech exercise in miniaturisation, developed to win in the coming 1968 season but in the event, it was a one-race wonder…

80s EXCESS EXPRESS! • Almost four decades old and this highly modified and very rare Bimota YB5 could well be one of the best handling motorcycles on the planet…

The real David Jefferies … …by those who knew him best • Everyone knows how fast David Jefferies was on a motorbike, but it was his enormous, fun-loving personality that made him so popular with the fans. So, what was he really like as a person? Classic Racer finds out.

SECONDS OUT… • …round one! Oh and two! Classic Racer friends Tony and Claire Greenslade run Gibson/Allspeed exhausts in Essex. This issue, Tony talks about the first two races of 2025.

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!

TRIPLE TREAT! • Classic Racer newcomer Rob Bean on why he’s chosen a green 1990s triple to return to racing on.

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: BSimmonds@mortons.co.uk