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Niall Mackenzie Column - Sep 10
By Niall Mackenzie on 02/08/2010 13:25:26
As Visordown (the magazine) is now only www, this grizzled old boy must face a new digital future on the world wide web. This online-distributed column was a Niall Mackenzie production
Ten years ago from July I decided to hang up my leathers and end my days earning my living as a professional racer. I was flattered that both the Yamaha and Suzuki BSB team bosses still called to see if would change my mind however I hadn’t won any races in the previous season so...
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James Whitham Column - Apr 2009
By James Whitham on 01/04/2009 11:22:53
Whitham talks of growing old disgracefully, the boundless joy of heated handlebar grips and destroying rural derbyshire on one of those vile quad machines...
I’d forgotten how much fun dicking about on bikes can be. You don’t need much of a plan, or even a bike with lots of power, just a bit of space, a couple of mates and a few toys. This month the space and the toys were provided by a good friend of mine called Alan, a man of adequa...
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Niall Mackenzie Column - Jun 2009
By Niall Mackenzie on 01/06/2009 14:35:11
Niall salutes the hard-charging Noriyuki Haga, the perennial World Superbike bridesmaid who surely deserves to win the title in 2009. Ironically, a Yamaha may stand in his way
Time may be running out but there’s no doubt Noriyuki Haga deserves to win a World Superbike championship.The 1997 Japanese Superbike champion burst onto the world scene in 1998, winning three of the first four races. But ten years on a championship win still eludes him. Some who...
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Niall Mackenzie Column - May 2009
By Niall Mackenzie on 01/05/2009 12:30:55
Niall remembers the good old days before Grands Prix became too professional when the riders used to seriously let off steam after a hard weekend’s racing...
This winter my good friends at Knockhill invited me along to one of those sportsman’s lunches in down town Glasgow.There is a always a charity element to these events but I suppose their main purpose is for the lads to have decent nosh served up by good-looking wenches, be entert...
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Niall Mackenzie Column - Aug 2009
By Niall Mackenzie on 01/08/2009 14:35:11
Niall puts his weight behind the Aprilia RSV4 Factory, but he’s not so sure about electric race bikes at the TT. Surely noise is a big slice of the appeal of racing?
It was mainly through frustration that last month, I questioned whether or not Aprilia would get their act together in the UK and give customers a satisfactory level of service.My frustration came from knowing that, although their model line-up is small, each bike is still a crac...
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James Whitham Column - Jul 2009
By James Whitham on 01/07/2009 14:35:11
Tidy, small enough to park in a multi-storey and cheap – what’s not to like about Whit’s new van? Oh, the gearbox. Reminds him of an unhappy adventure on a Ural...
Like pretty much everyone else at the moment, here in the Whitham household we’re trying to tighten our belts a bit and save some money.And although saving money goes against all she’s ever stood for, Andrea came up with a plan to cut back on the amount of vehicles we run as a fa...
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James Whitham Column - Aug 2009
By James Whitham on 01/08/2009 14:35:11
James’ socks were blown clean off by the Superstock bikes at the TT, and he’s also been impressed by the electric machines in the TTXGP. All they need now is a little noise
I’ve spent most of the month out on the Isle of Man, working flat out doing TV stuff. I’ve been having a whale of a time with Steve Parrish. He’s always good for a laugh. I could never get tiredof watching people picking up his electric-shock pens in the press office in Douglas. ...
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Niall Mackenzie Column - Oct 09
By Niall Mackenzie on 27/10/2009 15:02:29
Niall explains how modern technology is ruining post-race payback, inflicts maximum damage at minimum velocity and rues Honda’s current love of Australian riders...
In my world, you don’t get much more impressed than you do by watching Grand Prix motocrossers in action. I have always been in awe of their skill, fitness and bravery, not least because I am as rubbish off road now as I was when I looped my first crosser (a ratty RM 400) way bac...
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Niall Mackenzie Column - Jan 10
By Niall Mackenzie on 30/01/2010 10:23:03
Niall Mackenzie is a 500cc Grand Prix God. Let us not forget or overlook his profound magnificence. He and Whitham also run the meanest chat show at the bike show.
F or many bikers, this is a frightening time of the year. For a start 4pm is now 5pm so the commute home from work is dark and therefore more treacherous. Temperatures are also dropping (I just found out when you can see your breath the ambient temperature is below 7°C) so all th...
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James Whitham Column - Feb 08
By James Whitham on 17/02/2008 16:12:54
Another busy month in the Whitham mansions. He mourns the passing of his first jump-bike and the best jumper, and recounts an hilarious night in the company of the Fogartys
Sometimes it’s difficult as a child to fully appreciate some of the things you get to witness. I remember like it was yesterday sitting on a packed grassy banking at Glen Helen in the Isle of Man with my old fella and watching the 1978 formula one TT race unfold. That fabled enco...
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