Written by Aaratrika Gupta, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Barry Sheene was more than a MotoGP rider, he was a rockstar on two wheels, and part of his name defined the golden age of motorcycle racing.
Sheene was something of an entertainer, who, despite being known for breaking the rules of speed, had a knack for bending them on and off the track, and captivated fans for his unmatched charisma and unyielding grit.
Sheene’s legacy was far more substantial than his two MotoGP world championships; from his iconic No. 7 to his miraculous comebacks and bone-crushing crashes. Danger, glamour, rebellion and an iconic ‘V’ sign — all the traits shaping him a legend of the sport and, above all, what kept him alive.
‘Bionic’ Barry was his nickname as per Nick Harris who is the author of the biography 'Barry' and a journalist who covered all of Sheene's major races. It is also believed Sheene used to set off metal detectors at airports for having too much metal inside his body.
The Man who defied Death (twice)
Sheene was involved in two deadly crashes, the first being Daytona 1975 when the tyre on his motorcycle ripped apart along the Daytona banking during pre-200 testing, at a 170mph (273 kph approx)
Despite suffering severe injuries, the resultant coverage of the accident by BBC followed by his recovery made him known nationwide in Britain.
Following this, Sheene’s career flourished, and so did his social life, with the maverick hanging around with household names such as James Hunt, George Harrison and Ringo Starr whilst having an array of company of models and other musicians.
Despite becoming a household name and a millionaire, Sheene still was just as passionate about racing as he soon enough recovered and returned for the championship barely three months later. However, this crash wouldn’t be the last of its kind.
Everything was fine until it wasn't
Despite being unable to score a championship in the same year, victory soon followed when the then 25 year old won the championship not once but twice consecutively in ‘76 and ‘77 respectively. Fame, Fortune and race wins followed him until disaster struck again in the ‘82 season at the Silverstone circuit.
Just two years prior, Sheene had made a quite surprising move to Yamaha. Despite garnering some criticism and doubts, the move did prove successful, as he was finally given more favourable treatment worthy of a two-time champion as compared to his time at Suzuki, where he was receiving inferior equipment compared to his teammates.
Sheene wound up fourth overall in 1981, with two podiums followed by a race win at Sweden, the last Grand Prix victory by a British competitor in 35 years until Cal Crutchlow finally broke the drought when he won the 2016 Czech Republic Grand Prix.
Everything seemed pretty good for the next season, as Sheene received the latest Yamaha OW60 TZ500 motorcycle before the 1982 season, which was equal in terms of machinery to Kenny Roberts. Sheene also went on to win five out of six races at the 1982 Transatlantic Trophy races.
And it indeed wasn’t, at Silverstone
Sheene proved to be quite competitive in the ‘82 season with machinery that put him on par to Roberts, as he finished only 0.670 seconds behind the latter in the Argentine Grand Prix, along with a second place finish following right after, in Austria.
With the ongoing boycott of the French Grand Prix by fellow riders, the timing of this proved to be advantageous for Sheene, as he went on to several more podiums which would put him back in the competition.
With Sheene returning at the forefront, competing for the championship, things seemed to be looking up for both him and his team, until everything went wrong during the unofficial practice on Thursday at Silverstone.
As Sheene came over a blind rise, he collided with Patrick Igoa's motorcycle at over 160 mph (approx 257 kph), shattering both legs and breaking an arm.
Perhaps Sheene still had a bit of luck left as his legs were somehow saved by the orthopaedic surgeon. However, Sheene was not the same rider anymore, despite returning to the sport the very next season. Unable to get back to his old form and pace, he promptly retired the next year.
And it all comes down to legacy
Sheene left behind an impressive legacy as both a rider and a person that would be held on to, as he went on to be inducted as a MotoGP ‘Legend’ by the FIM in 2001, a year before his untimely death at the age of 52.
He not only flourished in his own career but guided others to do the same, one of them being Mick Doohan, who went on to win five successive championships.
Sheene lived his life to the very limits, perhaps sometimes even beyond. Calling him the James Hunt of MotoGP would be quite self explanatory in itself.
To say he wasn't boring would be an understatement. Even as a father, he picked his children up from their boarding school in a helicopter on more than one occasion, much to the annoyance of the headmaster. He continued to enjoy nights out with famous friends, along with George Harrison becoming a regular at their home.
Sheene was very appreciative of his team, and was actually quite clever, being particular about his bikes, always aiming to make them better, and he always made sure he paid everyone who worked on his bikes.
” I want to tell you that I don’t want anything for free”. He said, “I earn good money doing what I do and I expect you to”.
Such was the man who made everyone want to give their best for him. Sheene would be remembered, as made sure by his career, his friend and family and as the man he was, as said best by him, “Don't wait for your ship to come in, swim out and meet the b****y thing”.
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