Legendary line-up announced for Barry Sheene Memorial trophy | GRR
John McGuinness, James Haydon, Jenny Tinmouth and current BSB riders Josh Brookes, Tommy Bridewell and Peter Hickman are among the big names who will feature on the Norton Manx-heavy grid for the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy at the upcoming Revival.
It seems like only yesterday that we turned the page on the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard, but already we find ourselves with less than three weeks to go until the 2021 Revival. And we can now announce the accomplished riders and incredible machines that will be lining up for the event’s sole motorcycle race.
Held annually in a pro-am configuration, the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy comprises two parts, both of which feature a Le Mans-style start and a compulsory pit stop rider swap. On what is an incredibly fast circuit for motorcycles – with top speeds approaching 130mph – riders push historic motorcycles to their absolute limits as they chase one of the most prestigious trophies in classic motorcycle racing.
For 2021, the grid will span the decade before its namesake’s heyday, with a brace of bikes dating from 1959 – a Norton Manx 30M ridden by owner Richard Hann (partner TBC) – to a 1967 MV Agusta 500/3, shared by the legendary duo that is Michael Dunlop and Steve Plater.
Also lining up in the 30-strong class will be a 1966 Aermacchi Ala d'Oro 408, ridden by race regulars Mark Linton and Alan Cathcart; the 1966 Hansen Honda CR450 of Ian Simpson and owner Chris Barfe and the 1962 BSA Gold Star DBD34, ridden by Levi Day and owner Fernando Mendes.
In fact, more than half the grid will be occupied by Norton Manxes, with other esteemed Manx racing duos including Richard Cooper and Steve Parrish; James Hillier and Adam Child; Conor Cummins and Keith Bush; Michael Rutter with Michael Russell and Maria Costello with Gordon Russell. Brookes, Bridewell, Tinmouth and Hickman will also share Manxes with their respective partners.
The second most popular machine is the Matchless G50, with teams of McGuinness and Glen English; Haydon and Peter Bardell; Dean Harrison and Sebastian Perez and Tommy Hill and Andy Clews all competing aboard the iconic machines.
However, while these bikes may share a name it pays to remember that they aren’t akin to the production clones we know today. Combined with the wildly varied experience of the teams, the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy is guaranteed to be a thrilling and unpredictable race, and one not to miss at this year’s Revival.