Classic Motorcycle Racer

Barry Sheene was born in London England, September 11th and was the second child of Frank and Iris. Barry was a "Pommie" that endeared himself to Australians in and out of Motor Sport. Barry used his charm and good looks, his smile, and that crazy English accent that was so very unique, that made Barry loved by "Aussies" all over.
Barry's rise in popularity jumped when he moved from Channel Nine, sitting with the explosive Darryl Eastlake, to Channel Ten to cover the Grand Prix series, after that Barry never looked back. Barry wasn't short at coming forward and was arguably on of the first motorcycle racers to score large endorsements from sponsorships.

DATONA
At the start of 1974 Barry rode at Datona and drew the starting no7. which he made his own. One year later at Datona........

LEGEND takes on DATONA



This crash took Barry into the realm of dubious records,that it arguably was, at the speed of 175mph the fastest crash on record, and the other was that he was lucky to survive at all. His injuries included, broken left thigh, right arm, broken ribs, and damage to several vertibrae.
Barry was recorded in an interview later,and asked what he thought about his crash, and in his own way with that smile and accent he said, "If I'd been a race horse, I'd have been shot, apart from that, I'm fine."
Barry was up and about (all be it on crutches) a week after the operations to pin him self back together again.

SAFETY ISSUES

Not widely known, Barry contributed to bike racing in other than a competitive way. Barry was responsible for designing and manufacture of the prototype "Back Brace" used so commonly today. He gave this to an Italian manufacturing company Dainese, to produce and distribute through out the world.

Barry Sheene died of Cancer March 10, 2003 leaving his wife Stephany and two children.
THE RACER LIVES ON