The legend Geoff Duke has passed away - RIP Sir.
http://www.bbc.co.uk...rsport/32563894
Posted 02 May 2015 - 18:36
Posted 03 May 2015 - 05:01
One of my hero's from way back. RIP.
Posted 03 May 2015 - 05:38
Saw him at Dundrod on many occasions. He was a legend even then. I recall from a picture in a boyhood Guiness Book of Records that one of his more bizarre achievements was to assist a (pedal) cyclist achieve a world record speed by going in front of him on a motor bike fitted with a giant air screen across the rear of the frame so that the cyclist could slip-stream Duke on the bike and thus attain a higher speed. Handling the motor bike must have been 'interesting'.
Posted 03 May 2015 - 14:09
Geoff Duke OBE
He was the first superstar of the modern era, Always a gentleman. He innovated the one piece leathers, and he was behind the Peel fairing which was produced in his adopted home in the IOM.
He was punished by the FIM for siding with the privateer GP riders, Geoff had no axe to grind as he was a works rider, but he was banned along with other riders. Who would do this today.
I first saw him in the TT in 1953 and was such an accomplished rider. Starring on Norton, Gilera, NSU, BMW and was the first European rider to test the Honda 4.
Thanks for the memories Geoff, you never traded on your name and fame.
Roy