John Surtees: Motorcycle Maestro - Softcover

In this fully illustrated and indepth new study of one of the greatest of motorcycle racers, Mick Walker reassesses John Surtees’s remarkable record and explores the background to his achievement. In the late 1950’s John Surtees was the dominate rider in top-level British and European motorcycle racing. A precocious talent, he began riding competitively on Vincents in the early 1950’s, then REGs and NSUs and Nortons A precocious talent, he began riding competitively on Vincents in the early 1950’s, then REGs and NSUs and Nortons. The technical side of Surtees’s career - the bikes he rode and his considerable skills as a mechanic and engineer - is covered in detail. The book gives a fascinating insight into the intense motivation that often gave Surtees the edge over his rivals and laid the foundation for the success that followed. In many ways Surtees is the precursor of later generations of fiercely dedicated, perfectionist riders like Kenny Roberts Snr and Mick Doohan, and the time is right for a reassessment of his contribution to the sport.

Mick Walker is acknowledged as one of the world's leading motorcycle authorities. In a career which has spanned over 45 years, he has written over 100 books and curated several exhibitions. He has also been a successful racer, tuner, team manager and talent scout. In 1998 he was involved in The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York. There is virtually no aspect of the motorcycle industry in which he has not been involved. During the 1980s, he was editor of Motorcycle Enthusiast magazine and, in 1999, Ducati presented him with a lifetime achievement award, the first ever of its kind.