Barry Sheene

Motorsport lost one of its true characters when Barry Sheene succumbed to cancer at the age of 52. An emotional and victorious appearance at the 2002 Goodwood Revival Meeting proved to be his farewell to thousands of British fans.

Despite two horrific motorbike crashes, at Daytona in 1975 and at Silverstone in 1982, he bounced back to keep on winning on two wheels. He was 500cc champ in 1976 and 1977.

He switched to cars in 1985 and contested the British Touring Car Championship at the wheel of a Toyota Supra (above left), before trying his hand at truck racing, and then returning to classic bike events.

He remained as popular as ever with his fans, and received a massive ovation when he raced at Goodwood last autumn.