Barry Sheene passes away

Sheene condition gives cause for concern.



The news that double world motorcycle world champion Barry Sheene has had to withdraw from the flag waving ceremony at the end of this weekend's Australian F1 Grand Prix has raised further fears over the state of his health.
The 52-year old Briton, now resident on Australia's Gold Coast, was diagnosed with stomach and oesophagus cancer last July, but insisted on using alternative therapies in his early fight against the disease, rather than following doctors' advice to proceed with the more usual chemotherapy.

"Stomach and oesophagus are difficult cancers, but I don't believe in chemotherapy," Sheene is quoted as saying at the time of his diagnosis, "I think it's just poison, so I'm not going to get involved in that."

According to the British press, however, the fans' favourite may be living on borrowed time unless he reverts to the suggested therapy.

"Barry is very ill," friend and fellow racer Steve Parrish told the News of the World late last month, "He has a very nasty form of cancer - one of the toughest to sort out.

"I've just spent six days with him, and he's more tired and weaker than he's ever been in his life. How long he has got to live, I don't know. He is positive that he is going to beat it, but saying 'it's got the better of me and I'm going to roll over just isn't Barry'."

The report claimed that Sheene was struggling to get out of bed and was losing weight rapidly as he struggled to keep what little food he ate in his system, prompting medical experts to suggest that he may now be in the final stages of his fight for life.

Sad news indeed. I hope he manages to stage a fightback but the article rather hints that it's too late :(

I work in the Media and our sports guys are thinking the same. However, sometimes miracles do happen.....

Damn it Sheene, get your butt into hospital now!:(

****ing hell barry!!!
YES chemotherapy is poison, thats the whole point!!!

grrrrr..... *smacks barry on the back of the head

GET YOUR ARSE TO HOSPITAL!!

sounds like it's getting very bad for barry, best of luck to him.....

Barry passed away today at the gold coast hospital. My prays
and thoughts are with him and his family

http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,6105020%255E1702,00.html :( :(

Was just talking to a friend on the phone who has told me they heard a radio report stating that Barry Sheen passed away this afternoon. He was 52.

I really hope this is wrong but if this terrible news is correct I'd like to offer my condolences to the Sheen family.

I've been looking around online for confirmation and I'm watching the 5pm Channel 10 news but haven't found anything yet.

yep it's true! bugger - going to miss ya baz!

This is just horrible. I was watching the V8 Supercars Greatest Hits Volume 2 DVD Saturay night and my friend and I were discussing how much we miss him in the commentary box.

Once again my condolences to his family.

That's very sad news. He was a great character and a true champion. I'm sure the motorsport fraternity will be very sad by this news. Best wishes to his family and friends. This makes you stop and think about what we argue over and carry on about, like the Ingall post that I did. Life's too short and remember that V8's is a sport after all.

:(

Very sad newd indeed. My thoughts and condolances are with his family and friends.

R.I.P. :(

sad indeed, he wiil be missed by a lot of people
My thoughts and condolances are with his family and friends
RIP bazz

Have just heard on the news this morning that Barry has passed away overnight.

He will be sorely missed ......................

RIP

GOLD COAST, Australia (Reuters) - Former world motorcycling champion Barry Sheene has died, 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.

Very Sad to hear.
I really thought that such a tough competitor could beat that. Never considered he wouldn't make it. Just goes to show how hard it is...
May God be with his family and friends.
I'll miss him.:(
RIP Barry

Scotthydro

Just saw on this evenings news that Barry Sheene passed way this afternoon in a Gold Coast hospital. Sincere condolances to Barry's wife and kids, family and freinds.

R.I.P
Barry

Such sad news for the motorsport family and the Sheene family, of whom i send their deepest sympathies and condolences.

We will miss him greatly for his humour and antics in and out of the commentary box.

R.I.P. Barry Sheene.

We'll miss you Baz.

R.I.P Barry

Thanks for the memories

Very Sad News RIP

Very sad news. Baz, you were great :(

That is just so sad :(
Hard to believe we will never see him again. This really is a very sad moment.

Rest in peace Baz. Condolences to his family.

Barry Sheene passed away today, 10th March 2003, after a battle with stomach and throat cancer, although his battle only became public in 2002.

A two time 500cc world champion in 1976 and 1977, Sheene won 19 grand prix and was a star in Britain at the time with his sense of humour and courageous displays on his Suzuki.

Sheene moved to Australia in the early 1990s and soon became a popular face on Australian TV, commentating on the motorcycles for both Channel Nine and Channel Ten.

Sheene always remained a bike enthusiast, participating in several historic meetings, particularly at Donington and Goodwood.

Sheene is survived by his wife Stephanie and two children.

See you in motorsport heaven Baz.

Lifted from Yahoo Sport:

Sheene remembered as glamorous champion
GOLD COAST, Australia, March 10 (Reuters) - Barry Sheene, who has died of cancer at the age of 52, was Britain's last motorcycling world champion and was famous as much for his playboy lifestyle as his sporting prowess.

Sheene won the world championship in 1976 and 1977 and was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in October 2001.


He won his first world title with five victories and a second place for a near-maximum score, with just six rounds counting towards the championship.

Sheene retained his crown a year later with six wins in the season.

But for all his achievements on a bike Sheene made the headlines almost as much by coming off it.

Two spectacular crashes -- Daytona in 1975, when he came off his Suzuki at 170 miles per hour (273.6 kph), and Silverstone in 1982 -- sealed his fame.

Sheene suffered terrible injuries when he crashed during practise for his home GP at Silverstone and was left with 27 metal bolts holding his legs together.

Barry Sheene was born in London on September 11, 1950.

His father Frank was an amateur rider and Sheene's first race in 1968 was at Brands Hatch on his father's Bultacos.

Sheene won the 125 British Championship in 1970 and was runner-up to Angel Nieto in the 125 World Championships a year later.

The European 750cc title followed in 1973 and he won his first 500 grand prix in 1974 riding for Suzuki.

After his two back-to-back world titles, Sheene was prevented from enjoying further glory by the emergence of American Kenny Roberts, who beat the Briton to the crown by 10 points in 1978.

Sheene won 19 500cc grand prix races in a career at the top of world championship racing that lasted 10 years.

In his heyday in the 1970s, Sheene was a household name in Britain and around the world. He came across as the archetypal cheeky 'cockney' -- charming, quick-witted and outspoken.

He stood out from his rivals, riding in white leathers with a picture of Donald Duck painted on his helmet.

Sheene enjoyed a place in British life that no motorcycle rider had ever occupied.

He was married to a model, mixed with pop stars and was just as likely to be found in a night club as at a race track.

He became one of the sport's first multi-millionaires using his charm and good looks to endorse products such as clothes and aftershave.

Sheene retired from riding in 1984 and moved to the Gold Coast in Australia where he worked as a television commentator.

He was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and stomach in July 2002.

He is survived by his wife Stephanie and two children, Sidonie, 18, and Freddie, 14.

A very sad day for motorcyle fans world-wide. Barry had a terrific sense of humour and was an all-round good guy. It's a tragedy that he has left us at such a young age.

Rest In Peace Barry.

Thanks for the memories.

sad day for all motorsport fans indeed , Barry will remain a prominent figure in many of our memories.

May he rest in peace forever.

This is so depressing, my wife and i are devastated that he is gone and we will have a drink in his memory tonite.
For years we looked forward to his commentary as we followed the career of Mick Doohan and the insight and knowledge he had were fantastic . So many times you would hear Barry read the race and say he thought this was about to happen and 9 times out of ten he was right on the money.
Condolences to his wife and children, the world has lost a very special person today.

My sincere condolences to his wife and children.
Hope they have good race meetings up there Baz.

My sincere condolences to his friends & family, it is truly a sad day for the world of motorsport.

Rest In Peace Baz

agreed Jonesy , a sad day indeed , he will live on in our memories forever and my condolences go out to his family and friends.

RIP Barry , thanks for the memories.

A man that showed no fear but alas a race he did not win.
To Barry's wife and two children our thoughts are with you.:angel:
Barry you will be sadly missed, your colourful commentry and no holds bar attitude made viewing interesting.

RIP Barry. :(

RIP Barry.

I've already posted on two other threads here, but this is shattering news. I am gonna miss Barry. My thoughts are with his family.

I remember how good he was before he was gagged by the V8 supercar producers after the first year or two of his trademark style of commentating. His ability to say it just like it is, with no BS to the fans was IMO one of his most endearing qualities. What a sad day.

Feel like we have lost one of our own,RIP Barry.

This news comes at such a bad time, after losing a friend at the bemsee meeting yesterday.
Me and the wife knew Barry quite well,as he only lived down the road from us in Charlwood,We were wandering around town with my wife 9 months pregnant when we bumped into him, he was without doubt one of the most aproachable people you could meet. We chatted about bikes, shopping and other such topics and after a while the wife started to feel a bit uncomfortable so we departed. Anyway 24 hours later our son was born, and we named him "Barry" what else.
Our thoughts go out to his family friends and indeed everone who knew him, a brave man ,saddly missed.

I was lucky enough to meet Barry on numerous occasions as he lived only a couple of miles away in Charlwood. He was a very genuine guy and could often be seen sitting in the car reading comics while Steph did the shopping. On visits to his home he always took the time to chat, the most memorable was a christmas eve when we chatted over coffee about his truck racing, and watched his beautiful wife stuffing the turkey.

Rest in peace. You will be missed.

I do not take joy in being the bearer of bad news, but I just heard on SBS World Sport that Barry Sheene has passed away. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family, friends and the racing community.

ah no! there goes a legend - always a happy chappy with a brilliant sense of humour, a great competitor and a knowledgeable commentator.

As someone else noted here, this could be the reason that gerhard Berger has chucked it in, to spend more time with his family. Berger and Sheen were close friends. Sheen knew and was liked by the whole paddock, not only in F1, but the touring cars and his beloved bikes.

Ciao BS

We knew it was coming, but it doesn't remotely make it easier to bear.

I saw him regularly at Goodwood, where he raced vintage Nortons with every bit of the tiger spirit of his heyday. Even as late as last September, he won a race, and the crowd gave him a standing ovation. They already knew what he was fighting. The sight of Barry and Wayne Gardner congratulating one another and "high-five"-ing on the cooling lap will stay with me forever.

God bless you, Barry.

OMG that was so quick

:(

thank you barry
xx

Sad news indeed.

R I P

just heard this myself.......terrible news !..I watched Barry race a Norton at Goodwood revival few 3 years ago........and he just thrashed them all......in the end , he was slowing down on the main straight so they could all catch up again , and then he blew them all away again....

He will be very much missed indeed.

Legend:)

I'm old enough to remember him at the time.

A real racer and a real character.

Bye Barry.

Originally posted by Alan Jones
Feel like we have lost one of our own,RIP Barry.

Couldnt have put it better myself.

Very Sad News:(:( :(

Baz will be missed for his Unique Commentary and Antics on and off the track. A gentleman a Comedian and a Damn Good Bloke . My Memories of Baz in the Hotel Foyer at Darwin in 2002 will at least put a smile on the dial at such a sad time.

I hope they have a national Holiday in respect of him and his contribution to Australia as a Sports Person, Ambassador and Personality.

RIP Baz We Miss You.

(From ninemsncom.au)

Bike champ Barry Sheene dies

He was a carefree Cockney who could fling a growling, bucking motorbike around with more panache and abandon than anyone.

In the rugged, bone-cracking world of grand prix motorcycle racing, Barry Sheene was a happy-go-lucky hero without ego or pretension.

Sheene, who passed away on the Gold Coast on Monday after a battle with stomach and throat cancer, was British by birth but Australian by nature.

To help his arthritis the 51-year-old traded in the grey skies of England for the golden coastline of Queensland in the early 1990s.

His two world 500cc championship titles in 1976-77 were testament to an innate talent while his frequent trips to the hospital pointed to reckless bravery.

As if to relieve the pressure of teetering on that fine line between staying ahead and staying alive, Sheene enjoyed life to the full off the track as a fun-loving spirit.

With fellow party-seeker, the ex-Ferrari Formula One driver Gerhard Berger, he represented the last remnants of the fast-lane lifestyle epitomised by the former F1 champion James Hunt.

Barry Sheene smoked, he drank, he arrived at racetracks in white limousines with a model on each arm.

He seemed, at least in his early days, to expose himself to as much danger off the track as he did on it.

For Sheene, the monotonous existence of diet, exercise and abstinence - now virtually compulsory among grand prix racers - was not for him.

Nor were generic comments. His language was as spicy as his life and he took pride in getting to the point right away.

Born in London in 1950, Sheene became interested in motor bikes at the age of five when his father Frank built him his first bike.

He was a professional racer by 1968 and in the following two years collected the British 750cc title.

Apart from his two world 500cc championships, Sheene had, from 1975-82 won more international 500cc and 750cc grand prix titles than any other rider.

He was to lose out to American Kenny Roberts in 1978 and 1979, when he fell out of favour with Suzuki.

He struggled as a privateer in 1980 before winning a works ride with Yamaha in 1981 and 1982.

At practice for the 1982 British GP at Silverstone Sheene was lucky to escape with his life after ploughing into a stranded Yamaha on the track at 160mph.

He was to return to racing but by that stage his body was a network of nuts and bolts and factory teams would not take a risk with him.

His colourful lifestyle and distinctive accent attracted television to motor cycle racing as he was sought out for commercials and appearances on prime-time programs.

Sheene had appeared at Covent Garden in the opera Tosca with Maria Callas and worked regularly on the popular UK ITV Network show `Just Amazing'.

He was awarded an MBE for his contribution to motorsport in 1978.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/Sport/story_46561.asp

To a great sportsman may you rest in peace..:(

bad news i have good thoughts of baza

A World Champion and a champion bloke,he will be sorely missed:(

was much respected and now much missed, Rest in Peace Bazz

At least he leaves us with so many good memories :(
Small relief at this time of loss.

Yep my condolences to Barry's family and friends.

It hardly seems possible that just 6 months ago Barry was with us at Goodwood and despite his illness, still the ultimate showman as he diced with Freddie Spencer. He acknowledged the crowd as always with his wave and huge smile - our hearts went out to him and all wished him well in his fight. Our thoughts and prayers are now with his family.

A personal memory triggered by ‘pauldavid’ – back at Charlwood in the 70’s and long before most police forces had access to helicopters, Barry on more than one occasion ‘helped’ out and launched his own machine to assist us in the pursuit of some villain or another. It was a huge joke to him (and a great experience for us!).

You may no longer be with us Barry, but your larger than life memory will be with us for all time.

I never met barry personally , but I do have an amusing story , and I guess at times like these our stories and memories are what this man so great.

A few years ago I attended a Touring car meeting at Winton and I was driving in with a car full of mates along one of wintons dirt roads that encompass the circuit looking for a carpark , the line of traffic was moving at snails pace , it came to a halt and I looked in the mirror to see barry Sheene behind me on a moped , all the guys turned and gave him a wave and he smiled and waved back and gave us the thumbs up , the line started to move again but I kept an eye on barry behind me , he was moving along waving to the crowd leaning off the bike shaking hands and just enjoying himself and everyone walking around was happy to see him and wanted to say g'day, the line of traffic came to a halt again so I of course stopped , and began watching bazza again , riding along waving and saying Hi to everyone , but he didnt realize the traffic had stopped , I shouted to the guys "hes gonna hit us!!!!" and we all turned to see the look on his face , shear terror i gotta say :) he grabbed for every bit of braking he could , the moped nearly got away from him and he shot up beside us to avoid hitting my car , when it was all said and done we were stopped , he was stopped right beside us , we all just loked at each other and he just started laughing his head off , to which we all just started laughing , it really was a priceless moment , and sadly as its my only contact ever with Barry in person , one that will live long in my memory.

Cheers Bazz and thanks for the great laugh :)

I think it’s appropriate to record our sadness at the loss of Barry Sheene on this forum, as his last few races were at the Goodwood Revival meetings. My wife and I certainly feel saddened yet privileged to have watched his last two races at last years meeting. Those who were there would have seen what appeared to be two titanic battles with Wayne Gardener.

I say ‘appeared’ because both races were so close, and so perfect and story book like, that I’ve always wondered if they were choreographed. I mean, at Woodcote, on the last lap of the first race, they passed each other twice. They were actually leaning on each other as they tried to be first into the chicane. So if it was stage managed, it was a) incredibly skillful stuff, and b) still bloody hair-raising to watch! Boy, it was exciting.

We watched the second race from the straight just before St. Mary’s. At one point Gardener was in 9th place, and yet a few laps later was in the lead. My wife was absolutely amazed about this, and the only explanation I could offer was “I think they tend to do this sort of thing in bike racing.” We’re certainly not used to seeing racing like that in cars.

We enjoyed seeing both Sheene and Gardener in the paddock. Barry was his usual self, talking to everybody, signing autographs, posing for pictures with all he could.
We managed to have a good chat with Gardener as well. I don’t know, but bike racers just don’t seem to suffer from the same … preciousness? as car people.

Barry didn’t attend the prize giving afterwards, and Wayne conveyed Barry’s apologies, and spoke some kind words. It was very sad. The word had gone around that we had seen the last of him. Obviously, everyone hoped not, but we did wonder.

R.I.P. Barry Sheene. A man who brought pleasure to millions.

Rest in Peace Barry. My thoughts go out to your family and friends.

You acheived so much and touched so many.

You will be greatly missed.

I consider myself very lucky to have met the great man on a couple of occassions, a gentleman with fantastic wit. We'll all miss you Baz. :(

A truely sad day for International Motorsport.

Although I am unfortunately too young to have seen Barry at his best on the track, his character off-track was certainly evident at race meetings and on Channel 10.

Rest In Peace, Barry.

RIP - Barry Sheene

Won't be the same with out him. :(

To everyone who knew and loved Barry, you were lucky, he was one of a kind.
Treasure the memories.

A great loss.
Barry was meant to be waving the chequered flag at the GP, he ended up having to turn it down to Cathy Freeman because he was so ill. Ended up being a matter of time from the moment that news was brought.

RIP Barry

Always quick with a wave or a smile. Will be sorely missed. R.I.P Baz

RIP :(

what a guy he was.......ive posted also in another thread...

A toast to you Barry!
Rest easy and race hard in what ever afterlife you're in.

A true loss.

I'm really sad now, I like Barry.

from watching TV at the age of 6 in the mid 70's, to seeing him warm his knees up at Goodwood last September, always a pleasure to watch.

RIP Barry

Rest In Peace, Barry. You are a star and everyone is very sad to hear you've gone.

If anyone is wondering why their post has been moved from where it was originally I have taken the decision to move all the tributes to one single place (here, obviously) so that everyone can share their memories of Barry. If you have a problem with this please do not post here, but email me instead. Thanks for understanding.

I never saw Barry race, but he is clearly one of the greats, and its sad that he has died so young.

Sad news indeed- a great character as well as a great racer, (on 4 wheels as well as 2,- anyone remember his brief career in touring cars in the mid-80s?


one of the true entertainers in motorsport

RIP

http://toyotasupra.free.fr/btcc.htm


Barry in the Supra- first thing I saw him race.....

Godspeed Barry.

Thanks for the exciting races.

The Great Seven... We'll always remembering you!!

Originally posted by pete55
My sincere condolences to his wife and children.
Hope they have good race meetings up there Baz.

With the quality of riders up there???? boy would I like to attend one of their races.

Let's just hope that we can all meet up later and have some fun.

R.I.P. Barry

I'm nearly the same age as Barry and can remember going to Oulton Park to see this new kid that everone was talking about. He won by half a lap. I saw him many times after that but particularly remember a race at Cadwell Park where he and Phil Read bashed fairings at the mountain. Always ready to sign autographs with that perpetual grin. Another great character gone.

R.I.P. Barry. You will be missed :(

Seven's gone to Heaven. :(

This is a very sad day.

I heard someone today say in regards to Barry's passing that "the candle that burns brightest, burns briefest", and in a way this summed Barry up perfectly.

Thanks for the memories Bazz, you'll be sorely missed.

I am fortunate enough to be able to contribute a couple of stories about Barry.
A few years ago at Lakeside Barry was riding a bike into pit lane area with his son on the back. I stopped him to say his son would not be able to enter, reminding him that he knows the rules all to well. He turned around to me and said "They have tried to kick me out of bigger and better ##### race meeting than this one", and proceeded with his son into pitlane. Maybe half an hour goes by and Barry comes up to me head down, with an apology for not doing as I asked.
The other story is last year at the Clipsal, on the Thursday there was a car that was doing rather fast speeds on the track whilst there were people working on it still. At some stage someone had a near miss. On the Friday I was told all about this and how they were trying to find out who was in the car. Friday night sitting at one of the pubs these guys say "Barry Sheene he is the best guy you could ever meet" etc etc giving him this huge rap. When I asked why he said "Barry took us for this fast lap around the track yesterday", I don't think the poor buggers knew how much trouble he got into over that.

Sadly missed. Will think of him everytime I see cars racing, .......and bikes.

I saw him race for the first time at Goodwood in 1998. He had a session on the track on the Saturday (I think) with Damon Hill to 'show him around' as Damon hadn't been able to practice on the Friday- it made for some great video film!

I think a minutes noise would be an appropriate tribute!

Vale Bazz.

Thankyou for the memories, and give em hell up there on the number 7.

I heard this morning and even now I can't believe he's gone. I only saw his best racing years on TV, winning the World Titles and those epic battles with Roberts & co in the Transatlantic Trophy. The nearest I got was as a twelve year old sitting on his Suzuki which was garaged for a while at his Dad's place.
I never got to see him until I went to Goodwood, watching him & Damon go round together. The epic battles with Mick Hemmings in '98 & '99. But last year has to be the best. Learning of his illness and being disappointed that he would'nt be there I thought it wouldn't be the same. But he did turn up and gave everyone a weekend to remember. Staged or not he & Gardner gave the crowd a dazzling display of true racing skill. Of course he was awarded with the Spirit of Goodwood trophy for his courageous effort in being there. I know it's early for accolades and memorials but maybe Lord March should consider renaming it the Barry Sheene Spirit Of Goodwood Trophy. Not just for his bravery but because he made the Lennox Cup one of the highlights of the Revival weekend. Goodwood won't be the same without him.
RIP Sheenie.

Steve B

Terribly sad news indeed. :(
Sincerest condolences to Barry's family.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

F--- Cancer. I had the pleasure of meeting Barry at Bathurst Airport after a race a few years ago. Since then we would catch up twice a year and enjoy a beer or 33. A nicer bloke you would never meet. My thoughts are with his family. I don't often cry but I am at the moment. RIP Baz. :mightily upset::****ed off:

This is sad news. Deepest sympathy to his family.
RIP Barry.

RIP Bazza - he was such a character and we are going to miss him

remeber the commersial with dick johnson - they were a barrel of laughs

http://**********************/sammlung/traurig/sad-smiley-066.gif

RIP Barry
My thoughts and prayers go to his family

RIP Baz

SAD AND A BIT CONFUSED THAT ONE OF THE BEST MOTORCYCLISTS, COMICS AND TV GUYS HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM US.IF YOU BELIEVE IN GOD OR BUDDA OR NOTHING AT ALL,IT SOMETIMES DOESN`T MAKE SENCE.WELL BAZZA A FEW GUYS ARE WAITING FOR YOU SENNA,HANSFORD AND GREG MOORE TO NAME A COUPLE OF EARLY EXITS FROM THE GREATEST RACE OF ALL......

I heard on the radio. Unlike TimD and Bluebottle, I never made it to Goodwood to see him.

Thoughts and prayers at such a sad time. Another motorsport legend who will always be in our memories.

xxx

Originally posted by ozrevhead
remeber the commersial with dick johnson - they were a barrel of laughs
I thought of those while thinking about Barry yesterday. I'd love to see those ads again. Even two days later I still feel pretty sad about this :(

As a kid I can remember watching barry on the BBC, The epic battles he had after winning his first world championship and trying to win his second against Kenny Roberts had the whole of the U.K glued to there screens, He turned the whole country on to Grand Prix Motorcycling and opened the door for future riders. Carl Fogarty was certainly helped by Barry, and Barry wasn't just another member of the Fogarty clan, he was one of the good guys and was sorely missed when he up sticks and moved to Aus because the climate made his now ledgendary injuries a little easier to cope with, he will be sadly missed by ALL the people he turned on to Motorcycle racing and everyone that had the good fortune to meet him in person, I for one could not believe the news and it took me at least a day to realise it was true, what with the news about "Ronnie" and then about Barry, These last couple of months have been the ****est yet! R.I.P Barry and Simon and God Bless Ya.

I am new to this forum but would like to add my condolences to his family and to share the grief with his fans.

Being only 6 and 7 when Barry was at his peak, it surprises me how much I remember of him racing. He was like a hero to me and used to ride my push bike like Barry Sheene - scuffing my knees til they bled - turned me into a tom-boy!

I at least have the pleasure in saying I saw Barry race every year at Goowood Revival and always stood in the same place making copeous amounts of noise when he went passed. I was never lucky enough to meet him, but in the last few years, he used to slow down and give me a wave. He wasn't going to race at Goodwood last year but at the last minute he did and I'm glad to say I saw him in his last ever race - as far as I am aware.
He was a true sportsman with the will to go on and his decision about the chemo - though hard for us fans, was an even harder choice for him and an extremely brave way to face this head on. He had cheated death so many times, yet when he had a chioce to hold it off a little longer - he chose to go with his pride intact.

An Icon
RIP

I met Barry a few times and each time he was very open and honest (considering one of the times was a very short discussion on his words about Aus drivers) and a great person to speak to.

He was a brilliant racer and a very good commentator. You could always tell when he wasn't interested in the racing as the quality dropped off but when he was interested he was excellent.

He will be missed :(

Brands Hatch will renamed the Dingle Dell Curve to Sheene's Curve to paid tribute of the great motorcycle rider in the sport 500cc era.

Bloody cancer eh?
I think of Sheene and it takes me back to when I was hankering for a bike, it was a few years after his championships, but he was still such a big figure, along with Roberts.

RIP

I never met Barry, but I remember the big accident (the second one that is). How anyone can come back from that and have the bravery and motivation to race again is beyone me. The pictures I saw of him.......... and the bike after the crash made me cry so much, I was only a kid when it happened. For the motorcycle racing world to lose a man with so much talent and guts is the biggest loss it could have.