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Take a closer look at these four
outstanding motorcyle books which you won't find in the
shelves of the 'shop around the corner'. Two of them, 'Mike
Duff Story' and 'Howl of the Mountain King', are published
by the authors own publishing company. 'Sammy Miller' is
produced by a local printer at New Milton. All four books
are signed by the author.
The Sammy Miller, Jim Redman and
Mike Duff stories relate the lives and achievements
of motorcyle racers of the sixties. Both were well known
personalities in their time but little remembered nowadays,
although their lives have been no less exciting than that of
Mike's or Giacomo's. To the contrary!
Stuart Savory's novel revives the
fifties with all their glory and setbacks.
The fact that the book lacks the polished language of the
professional editor, makes it no less a joy to read it.
Though the story is fiction, it's not far fetched and one
wishes it had happened.
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Sammy Miller Story, Jeff Clew,
Chard Print, New Milton, 168 pages, 1993
This really is my full story which I have told with no holds
barred. Unlike the other books I have been involved with, it
is not about trials riding. It is the story of how I learnt
all about machine control long before I rode my first
motorcycle, and how I put this to good use in later years. I
always knew that I would become a competition rider
although, when I first started, I little realised that I was
on the brink of a career that would eventually take me all
over the world and make my name known internationally.
Sammy Miller
About the author
Jeff Clew wrote the original biography of Sammy
Miller in 1976, under the title The Will to Win, the first
of three biographies about famous motorcycling
personalities. During the intervening years, Sammy has not
only exceeded this target of 1000 wins, but has also opened
his own motorcycle museum, containing many rare and exotic
machines that will not be found elsewhere. Jeff's update is
closely based on his original book, but also covers all that
has happened since.
Sammy Miller is best known as The Trial
Champ. However, his exploits as a roadracer are noteworthy
as well. To make it to the rostrum with John Surtess and the
likes is quite a feat.
Homepage: http://www.sammymiller.co.uk/
Museum: The Museum
is located in New Milton, 273 km to the West of Dover on the
South coast (opposite the Isle of Wight).
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Jim Redman-Six Times Motorcycle
Champion, Jim Redman, Veloce Publishing, ISBN
1-901295-35-4, 286 pages, 1998, reprinted in 1999 with minor
revisions.
'The extraordinary life story of the
penniless orphan and colonial adventurerwho, aboard the most
glamorous racing motorcycles, roared to six hard-fought
World Championships and won himself the reputation of hard
man of the race track and shrewd, steely professional of the
paddock.' Andy Kershaw
A truly remarkable book. And Jim Redman
doesn't mince words. Not only the racer and his successes
are depicted in vivid language, we get to know the man, his
passions and his family. The recognition of his teammates'
and co-competitor's achievments is unparalleled. A moving,
passionate, stunning, funny book ... to say the least!
Certainly a book that hasn't got the attention it
deserves.
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The Mike Duff Story
Make Haste, Slowly, Michelle Ann Duff, mad8 Publishing,
ISBN 0-9685706-0-7, 357 pages, 1999
Here is a book that gives insight into the highly strung
world of Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing, but equally as
important, gives an understanding of the sacrifices,
hardships and pain that Mike endured to realise his dream. A
tale of human endeavour with a truly unique ending.
Hugh Anderson
About the author
Mike started his bike career secretly at age 13 aboard his
brother's BSA 250. Motoring by his parents one Saturday
morning precipitated an upheavel in the family. Unabashed,
Mike wouldn't give up his passion for bikes. His next mount
was a 500 Triumph Tiger. The visit of a local race planted a
seed which grew him into a motorcycle road racer.
In the meantime Michelle has written four other stories for
young adults. None of these stories has been published so
far.
Mike Duff has been a successful
roadracer, the first Canadian to win a motorcycle Grand
Prix. He won the Belgian G.P 250 class in 1964, the Dutch
G.P. 125 class and the Finnish G.P. 250 class in 1965. He
raced the lengendary AJS Porcupine and the most exotic
two-stroke-fourcylinder 125 and 250 Yamahas. After his
retirement he had his gender changed and became Michelle Ann
Duff. Michelle is now involved in writing, publishing and
photography.
Michelle ist most interesting when
describing her transition from man to woman in the last
chapter of the Mike Duff Story. She asks: Which man wants a
girl friend who outguns every other motorcyclist on the road
... or who rebuilds her bike engines on the kitchen
table.
Order the book on her homepage and read her fascinating
story. On the cover she is rendered by artist Jim Blanchard
riding the 250 cc Yamaha RD56.
Homepage: http://www.michelle-duff.ca/
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Howl of the Mountain King, Stuart
E. Savory, Bulldog Verlag, ISBN 3-928329-13-8, 130 pages,
1991
This is a spy-story for avid fans of motorcycle roadracing,
and/or it's a heroic motorcycling tale for enthusiasts who
like to keep track of what the secret services are up to.
It's a technically oriented fantasy based on accurate
historical facts of the early 1950s.
The book makes extensive use of literary and musical
references for puns, which the reader will enjoy tracking
down. For the technical enthusiast, it provides a wealth of
detail about the post-war racing scene. For the avid
motorcyclist, blow-by-blow accounts of the Mugello circuit,
the Nürburgring, and the Isle of Man TT circuit can
provide valuable mental training. The author is an engineer
himself and a keen motorcyclist, so much of the racing
detail come from indelible personal experience.
About the author
Stuart Savory was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1944. He
took a degree in Physics at City University, London in the
sixties. During this youthful time he was an active
motorcycle fan, belonging to the 59 Club in London's East
End. He rode a variety of street bikes of the era, ranging
from BSA Goldstar via Ducati Mach III to Velocette Venom
Thruxton. He was also an active racing motorcyclist, racing
the 250 cc Ducati around the Isle of Man TT Circuit and on
numerous short circuits such as Brands Hatch. He also built
his own 250 cc BSA based sprinter, dragging it at Santa Pod
and other strips. In his final year at college he built a
mean, stripped, blown and injected ultimate street NorVin,
before having to enter the serious business of earning a
living. He has lived in Germany since 1969, and has authored
half a dozen technical- and text-books on computer science.
He has recently renewed his interest in motorcycles. He
currently (1991) rides a Yamaha RD350, and pines after a
savagely tuned Suzuki RG500.
Homepage: http://home.egge.net/~savory/
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