Racing Line

Bob Guntrip discovered that motorcycles could send shivers down his back while he was still in short pants, and has never really recovered. After more than 30 years editing and contributing to sports magazines on three continents, he knows his love for motorcycle racing is total and irreversible. He has on occasion sought cures in science journalism, lesser forms of sport and even interior design; each has lasted no longer than the first bark of an Italian V-twin or howl of a Japanese four to pass his office window. In 2015 Bob tried writing bikes out of his system with his book ‘Racing Line’: his follow up book ‘Slow Burn’ was the inevitable result.

1. Il grandi piloti inglese The character of 1950s racing and its people; British riders and their backers - promoters, team managers, tuners 2. Blank canvas The evolution of the British circuit. Riding on airfields, parks, grass tracks and between barrack blocks 3. A choice of rivals The tools of champions - evolution of the British single, its development, refinement, performance and rugged durability. The emergence of the 7R AJS, and, finally, the G50 Matchless to challenge the pre-eminence of the Manx Norton; then the Italians - Aermacchi, Paton, Linto - and the first stirrings of the Japanese giant 4. 1960 Mercury (Bob McIntyre) 5. 1961 Man in the Shadows (John Hartle) 6. 1962 Perfero (Alan Shepherd) 7. 1963 The Mint (Derek Minter) 8. 1964 Wild Colonials (Mike Duff) 9. 1965 The Kirby Boys (Bill Ivy) 10. 1966 Eyes front (John Cooper) 11. 1967 Anything, anywhere (Mike Hailwood) 12. 1968 Summertime (Dave Croxford) 13. 1969 Nemesis (Yamaha TR2) 14. 1970 Eclipse (Peter Williams) 15. The Records Who won what, where and when