Niall Mackenzie: The Autobiography - Hardcover

Mackenzie, Niall

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 000714489X ISBN 13: 9780007144891

Publisher: Willow, 2002

Synopsis

The 39-year-old Scot has been Britain's most successful Grand Prix racer since Barry Sheene. At his final race in Knockhill in August 2001, more than 20,000 fans turned up to bid farewell to their local hero.

The 39-year-old Scot has been Britain's most successful Grand Prix racer since Barry Sheene. At his final race in Knockhill in August 2001, more than 20,000 fans turned up to bid farewell to their local hero. Niall has come a long way from Denny where he would regularly get into trouble for racing round the streets, as well as in and out of the local chip shops, to impress the girls.

As an amateur it was recognized he had an abundance of talent, especially after winning his first race at Knockhill, but he also had a wild side and looks back on a time when chasing girls and getting drunk were as important as winning races.

After moving up through the amateur ranks and securing his first factory 500 rides on a Suzuki, Niall notched up a host of 500 GP podium finishes before moving to Superbikes. He proved unbeatable between 1996 and 1998 when he claimed a hat-trick of British Superbike titles. On each occasion he beat big-name team-mates Jamie Whitham, Chris Walker and Steve Hislop.

While he may have finished racing, his involvement in the sport will continue as he will be testing for the new World Superbike team managed by Carl Fogarty.

This is a fascinating look into the British GP and Superbike scene through the eyes of one of its legends.

About this title

Review

'an entertaining insight into life behind the scenes on the circuit...tribute to a normal bloke who...made it against the odds.' -- Sunday Times, 11 August 2002

From the Back Cover

The 41-year-old Scot has been Britain's most successful Grand Prix racer since Barry Sheene. At his final race in Knockhill in August 2001, more than 20,000 fans turned up to bid farewell to their local hero after a 20 year career. Niall has come a long way from his manual labouring days in Denny where he crashed through the chip shop doors on his 350 Yamaha and lost his licence for racing a tractor!

As an amateur it was recognized he had an abundance of talent, especially after winning his first race at Knockhill, but he also had a wild side and looks back on a time when chasing girls and getting drunk were as important as racing motorcycles.

After moving up through the British championships and 250cc Grands Prix, Niall got his big chance on a factory Suzuki in the 500cc British Grand Prix in 1986. He went on to ride for Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki as a full factory racer in 500 GPs and his team mates included world champions Freddie Spencer and Kevin Schwantz. Niall notched up seven Grand Prix podium finishes before returning home to race in the British Superbike Championship in 1996. He proved unbeatable in the UK between 1996 and 1998 and became the only rider to win a hat-trick of British Superbike titles. On every occasion he beat big-name team-mates Jamie Whitham, Chris Walker and Steve Hislop.

While he may have retired from racing, his involvement in the sport will continue as he will be testing for the new Sauber Petronas team and the Clarion Suzuki team as well as commentating on racing for Eurosport and instructing on his track days at Donington Park. Niall reveals what racing legends like Mick Doohan, Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson were really like in one of the most honest exposes of Grand Prix paddock life ever published. This is a fascinating look into both the Grand Prix and British Superbike scene through the eyes of one of the most popular riders of the last 20 years.

Born in Galloway in South West Scotland, Stuart Barker graduated from Strathclyde University in Glasgow with an honours degree in Psychology in 1996. A lifelong motorcycle racing fan, he went on to work at 'Motor Cycle News' first as a news reporter then as a features writer and road tester.
Stuart became the only journalist in the world to ride on the road with both Barry Sheene and Carl Fogarty and also spent time with, and interviewed, celebrities such as Evel Knievel and Ewan McGregor.

After four years at 'MCN', Stuart left to become a freelance writer and has had articles published in many magazines including 'FHM, Superbike, Two Wheels Only' and 'Biker.'

About this edition

• Publisher: Willow
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 000714489X
• ISBN 13: 9780007144891
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336