61 replies to this topic

[confucius]

I just read on F1-live that Cathy Freeman will be waving the flag coz Barry's too ill...and that made me really sad. I'd completely forgotten about him being ill. It says his health has deteriorated, but does anyone have more info on how he's doing?

[SennasCat]

The only thing I can add was that there was a small article in the paper about 2 weeks ago along the lines of what he was trying wasn't working real well, he is now trying some microwave-style therapy. He was quoted as saying the doctors didn't like that either so he thought that it was pretty good, or something like that.

In this case, no news is definitely not good news.

[coyoteBR]

Sheesh, it's really sad news.

A word of advice for aussies organizers: whatever you do, don't invite Pelé to wave the flag.

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Yeah I read that article and it also spoke of the fact that he is going into hospital 3 times a week to have fluid drained from him, a friend of mine who is a doctor told me that that's a sign that his liver is failing too and that when that starts happening that he reckons Barry has days and at best weeks left, dreadful, he is the reason I got into bikes into the first place, the fact he isnt well enough would pretty much confirm that pretty soon we will be turning on teletext in the morning to see that we have lost him

[Richard Jenkins]

Originally posted by Tazio Nuvolari
Yeah I read that article and it also spoke of the fact that he is going into hospital 3 times a week to have fluid drained from him, a friend of mine who is a doctor told me that that's a sign that his liver is failing too and that when that starts happening that he reckons Barry has days and at best weeks left, dreadful, he is the reason I got into bikes into the first place, the fact he isnt well enough would pretty much confirm that pretty soon we will be turning on teletext in the morning to see that we have lost him

Terminally ill, I'm afraid. I expect sometime in early April to be a sad time for us all.

[pRy]

Was he the guy who called Schumacher a "Cheating Craut" ?

[Garagiste]

Don't think so - Alan Jones called him an arrogant one, remember that.

Barry is a true hero, wish him all the best and will never forget two days of him and Wayne Gardner showing the rest how it was done at Goodwood last year. Hope to see you in September sir.

[holiday]

who is he?

[silver fan]

He was a former 500cc world champ from the old school who lived life to the full, a real character, unlike these politically correct mumies boys you see these days.

[RJL]

Best regards Barry, get well soon.

[Philip Lee KK]

Barry raced with King Kenny Roberts Snr & i think he was twice a World Champ in the late 70s.

[nicholasc]

I hate to be a pessimist but I think Barry is not very well at all.

I lost my Dad to bowel cancer two years ago and when you start to get sick then the end can come very quickly and, as rough as it sounds, it's probably better that way.

very very sad

[tintin75]

Apparently BBC TV updated their obituary for Barry Sheene last month, and are expecting to use it in the next few weeks.

[tintin75]

Apparently BBC TV updated their obituary for Barry Sheene last month, and are expecting to use it in the next few weeks.

[bira]

Barry Sheene has passed away.

Britain's former world motorcycling champion Barry Sheene died on Monday, according to the Australian television station he worked for.

Network Ten announced in its nightly bulletin that Sheene passed away in a Gold Coast hospital after a long fight with cancer.

"Barry Sheene lost his battle with cancer this afternoon and died in a Gold Coast hospital," the network announced.

Sheene, world champion in 1976 and 1977, was diagnosed with cancer of the stomach and oesophagus in July last year, but vowed to fight the disease.

He was survived by his wife Stephanie and two children, Freddie and Sidonie.

[ehagar]

[jloehs777]

RIP Barry

[The Kanisteri]

[Sniper]

Oh my god I am shocked and saddened by all this

I am an aussie in the U.S. so of course had no idea that he was even sick at all.

God Bless Barry and his whole family.

[GillesVilleneuve]

Very sad news indeed.

Rest in peace Barry.

[confucius]

wow...how sad indeed. Wasn't the news I was hoping to hear when I started the thread.

[Cociani]

Aweful to hear, condolances to his family and friends. Barry Sheen was unique, we shall all miss him.

[Senninha2000]

Terrible news

Was afraid of this

[gerry nassar]

Just heard it on TV. I always enjoyed his commentary on the motoGPs, V8's and discussions about F1 for Ch 10.

Very Sad. R.I.P Barry

[AdrianM]

Very sad news

RIP Barry

[fifi]

[Jhope]

Wow. rest in peace Barry.

I also find the timing of his death quite ironic considering he was to wave the flag for yesterdays Australian GP, only to be replaced due to illness.

[Eric McLoughlin]

Britain's two hell raising motor sport World Champions of 1976 both now gone. Let's hope they're together again somewhere living it up again. So long Barry.

[Daemon]

Man this really is a downer. Barry, an Englishman, became an Australian Icon almost overnight with his exuberant personality, he affable attitude and was generally one of those all-round top blokes. He got honourary citizenship long ago.

I never used to be interested in bikes, Moto, or SBK, but then simply listening to Barrys commentating was reason enough to watch, so I guess Mr Barry Sheene was responisble for getting me into those sports.

He was one of a kind, Barry. Never knew him as a racer, only as a commentator, and while he may not have been as eloquent as some, he had his own distinctive style and mannerisms. He told it how it was, not only how he saw it, was unbiased and totally proffesional. To me he seems in a class far apart from other commentators, in the league of Murray Walker. He had a personality and he wasn't afraid to use it.

I think all Aussie motorsport fans would agree that Barry Sheene was one of a kind, irreplaceable, and the industry, not only us fans will be all the poorer with Barrys passing. One things for sure, weekends won't be quite so fun without Barry around.

[masterhit]

Sad, awful, tragic, horrible news. He will be very sorely missed, but never forgotten.

[ozboy]

My condolences to Barry's family and friends. I haven't been in Australia for a while but I always enjoyed his commentary in Australia. Unfortunealty I didn't follow Motorbike racing when he was racing.

RIP

Cheers

Ozboy

[nicholasc]

sad and frustrating
condolences to his family and friends

nick

[Breadmaster]

RIP

[wiligates]

RIP Barry A true character and great racer . He will be trully missed by all . Very sad news

[Paul McLucas]

Farewell Barry. I hope you got a chance to see your mates at Ten do the Grand Prix. They did a damn good job but you would have made it even better.

RIP

Paul

[andy_bee]

7 RIP you'll be sadly missed.

[Jackman]

http://www.atlasf1.c...p/id/9760/.html

Tremendously sad news - I can but add my condolences to the list. Like many from Australia I had no real knowledge of his exploits on motorbikes until he took a job commentating for Channel Nine, and his sheer joy made watching the bike races a pleasure from the start, and an unmissable one over the years. His work as a commentator made him many, many more fans in Australia to add to those who witnessed him competing from the United Kingdom.

Rest well Barry; you will be remembered fondly, and your infectious smile will be reflected in that memory.

[confucius]

"A sock?? Why would I want a sock for??"

[Daemon]

A few have asked the question "Who is Barry Sheene", and some know who he is, but not much more than that

This a site dedicated to Barry Sheene, http://www.mb4u.com/barrysheene/


Barry was young, brash, gregarious, streetwise and eloquent. He wore white leathers at a time when 95 per cent of his contemporaries wore black; he had a picture of Donald Duck painted on his helmet because "nobody expects a winner to have that on his lid" and he was good looking .

[DJS]

Originally posted by Daemon
Man this really is a downer. Barry, an Englishman, became an Australian Icon almost overnight with his exuberant personality, he affable attitude and was generally one of those all-round top blokes. He got honourary citizenship long ago.

I never used to be interested in bikes, Moto, or SBK, but then simply listening to Barrys commentating was reason enough to watch, so I guess Mr Barry Sheene was responisble for getting me into those sports.

He was one of a kind, Barry. Never knew him as a racer, only as a commentator, and while he may not have been as eloquent as some, he had his own distinctive style and mannerisms. He told it how it was, not only how he saw it, was unbiased and totally proffesional. To me he seems in a class far apart from other commentators, in the league of Murray Walker. He had a personality and he wasn't afraid to use it.

I think all Aussie motorsport fans would agree that Barry Sheene was one of a kind, irreplaceable, and the industry, not only us fans will be all the poorer with Barrys passing. One things for sure, weekends won't be quite so fun without Barry around.

Well said Daem, I second all of that. A great rider right up to the present day, as his races at Goodwood proved. I still remember the GP bikes covergae when it was on Channel Nine, and staying up to watch with "Daz'n'Baz" was the highlight (never thought I'd say that about Darryl Eastlake's commentary!)

Rest In Peace Baz, we'll miss you.

[Jeff Henry]

RIP Barry Sheene.

[speedy]

Rest in peace Barry Sheene

I saw you racing in the 70's, also the years you won the championships - you were always a gentleman and a true champion.

[POLAR]

[LB_13]

RIP Barry Sheene.

[Beej]

RIP Barry Sheene

Along with James Hunt, Barry Sheene was reason for me getting into motor racing. As a young boy these pair of racers attracted me to what was before just boring vehicles going around a track. 1976 was the year that I started an interest in motor sport, most likely carried on a wave of British success, that has just got deeper over the years. I feel now a part of my childhood has passed with Barry.


--
Bryan

[silver fan]

RIP Bazza

[djned]

RIP barry.

the racing world has lost a respected and colourful character, a guinness book of records record holder, a friend to many, and a great actor too (loved those shell ads...)

not a day before he passed away darryl "pitlane reporter to the stars" beattie asked gerhard berger if he "had a message for barry" - the great man looked visibly shaken at the mention of an excellent friend.

respect.

[Nikolas Garth]

R.I.P. Bazza

With his easy going demeanour and massive larrakin streak, Barry Sheene was one Pommy, us Aussies were always going to love, and with him living on the Gold Coast since 1984, I think he didn't mind us either.

His cheeky smiling face was a regular fixture on so many Australian motorsport's TV coverage, I can't believe we won't be seeing him again.

He was really good value.

[JacnGille]

Just imagine all the racing stories being traded at that "Great Race Track In The Sky" right now between Barry, Mike the Bike and J. Dunlop. Almost worth the price of admission.

[SeanValen]

R.I.P