Steve Linsdell
Encyclopedia
Steve Linsdell, is a British
motorcycle
road racer
, known mainly for his achievements aboard unlikely machines and in the Isle of Man TT
. He started racing in 1977 on a hand built 350cc Royal Enfield
Bullet - a machine not commonly recognized as a race bike. However, he soon silenced skeptics after riding to a fine second place in his first ever race. After this he had a virtual clean sweep over the next two seasons - adding 700cc Royal Enfield
as a second ride in 1978.
His early Results had him club champion at the Vintage Racing Motorcycle Club aboard his Royal Enfield
's and for several years he was hailed in documents such as the Motor Cycle News as almost unbeatable.
Bullet, housed in a Colin Seeley
frame, to compete in the unlimited single cylinder Kenning s series, and to make his debut at the Isle of Man
Manx Grand Prix
. He had a fair amount of success on this bike on the short circuits, but it was in the Isle of Man that he stunned his opposition and all spectators by finishing in an astonishing second place in the newcomers race at an average speed of 94.87 mph. This was despite competing against machines over 20 years newer. This rider is still the last ever Royal Enfield racer to stand on the Isle of Man podium.
After his debut, went on to many more great results on the TT circuit at the Isle of Man
aboard some very unusual machinery. Some notable performances include riding to sixth place in the Formula One main race at the 1995 Isle of Man TT
on a hub center steered Yamaha
GTS - definitely not a racing machine - and in the 1996 Isle of Man TT
setting the fastest ever lap on a British bike at over 114 mph on a Saxon framed Triumph
. This record held until 2003, when New Zealander Bruce Anstey
broke it.
More recently Steve rode the only two stroke at the Centenary 2007 Isle of Man TT
, on board a rare 500cc former GP bike - an Italian Paton from 2001. However mechanical failure caused him to stop after two laps during the race. He finished 2nd in the 2006 Senior Classic Manx Grand Prix
on a 1968 Paton BIC 500 four stroke and in 2007 finished third behind TT winners Ryan Farquar and Chris Palmer, in a race which saw the top three all break the ten year old 500 Classic lap record.
Steve also had success at other road races, such as the North West 200
and the Ulster Grand Prix
. A particular mention here goes to the 1992 North West 200
where he had a hard fought three way scrap with Phillip McCallen
to eventually finish second - widely remembered as one of the best ever races at the North West 200
.
Linsdell also scored points in various rounds of the World Formula One
championship, beating many regulars on home backed machinery.
Manx Grand Prix
in 2007. Steve features on the latest TT superbike legends PlayStation
2 game, which was released in November 2008.
Throughout his career Steve has always tried to ride something different for the fans - to bring a different angle to racing and he continues to do that to this day.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
road racer
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
, known mainly for his achievements aboard unlikely machines and in the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
. He started racing in 1977 on a hand built 350cc Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
Bullet - a machine not commonly recognized as a race bike. However, he soon silenced skeptics after riding to a fine second place in his first ever race. After this he had a virtual clean sweep over the next two seasons - adding 700cc Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
as a second ride in 1978.
His early Results had him club champion at the Vintage Racing Motorcycle Club aboard his Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
's and for several years he was hailed in documents such as the Motor Cycle News as almost unbeatable.
Isle of Man Career
For 1981 he built up a 1959 engined 500cc Royal EnfieldRoyal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
Bullet, housed in a Colin Seeley
Colin Seeley
Colin Seeley is a former English motorcycle sidecar racer and, later became a successful motorcycle designer and constructor....
frame, to compete in the unlimited single cylinder Kenning s series, and to make his debut at the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
Manx Grand Prix
Manx Grand Prix
The Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course every year for a two-week period usually spanning the end of August and early September. The 'MGP' or 'Manx' is considered to be the amateur riders' alternative to the Isle of Man TT Races held in May and June...
. He had a fair amount of success on this bike on the short circuits, but it was in the Isle of Man that he stunned his opposition and all spectators by finishing in an astonishing second place in the newcomers race at an average speed of 94.87 mph. This was despite competing against machines over 20 years newer. This rider is still the last ever Royal Enfield racer to stand on the Isle of Man podium.
After his debut, went on to many more great results on the TT circuit at the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
aboard some very unusual machinery. Some notable performances include riding to sixth place in the Formula One main race at the 1995 Isle of Man TT
1995 Isle of Man TT
-Results:*Race 1 – TT Formula One*Race 2 – Sidecar Race A*Race 3 – Singles TT*Race 4 – Ultra Lightweight*Race 5 – Lightweight TT*Race 6 – Junior TT*Race 7 – Sidecar Race B*Race 8 – Senior TT-External links:*...
on a hub center steered Yamaha
Yamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
GTS - definitely not a racing machine - and in the 1996 Isle of Man TT
1996 Isle of Man TT
This was the year where Phillip McCallen of Honda achieved 4 wins in a week – a record not beaten until 2010. He won all of the main races with Jim Moodie and Joey Dunlop picking up the smaller bike wins....
setting the fastest ever lap on a British bike at over 114 mph on a Saxon framed Triumph
Triumph Motorcycles Ltd
Triumph Motorcycles Ltd is the largest surviving British motorcycle manufacturer, which was established in 1984 by John Bloor after the original manufacturer Triumph Engineering went into receivership...
. This record held until 2003, when New Zealander Bruce Anstey
Bruce Anstey
Bruce Anstey is a professional motorcycle road racer. He is now signed to race for Padgett's Honda, having previously ridden for Relentless Suzuki which is based in Ireland. He made his Isle of Man TT debut in 1999, he completed his first race in the Lightweight 250 class, finishing 7th...
broke it.
More recently Steve rode the only two stroke at the Centenary 2007 Isle of Man TT
2007 Isle of Man TT
The 2007 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the Centenary event which ran between 26 May and 8 June 2007. The first event was held on Tuesday 28 May 1907 and was called the International Auto-Cycle Tourist Trophy run by the Auto-Cycle Club on the St...
, on board a rare 500cc former GP bike - an Italian Paton from 2001. However mechanical failure caused him to stop after two laps during the race. He finished 2nd in the 2006 Senior Classic Manx Grand Prix
Manx Grand Prix
The Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course every year for a two-week period usually spanning the end of August and early September. The 'MGP' or 'Manx' is considered to be the amateur riders' alternative to the Isle of Man TT Races held in May and June...
on a 1968 Paton BIC 500 four stroke and in 2007 finished third behind TT winners Ryan Farquar and Chris Palmer, in a race which saw the top three all break the ten year old 500 Classic lap record.
Other Road Racing
Away from the Isle of ManIsle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
Steve also had success at other road races, such as the North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
and the Ulster Grand Prix
Ulster Grand Prix
The Ulster Grand Prix is a motorcycle road race that takes place on the Dundrod Circuit near Belfast, Northern Ireland. The first races took place in 1922 and in 1935 and 1948 the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme gave it the title Grand Prix d'Europe...
. A particular mention here goes to the 1992 North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
where he had a hard fought three way scrap with Phillip McCallen
Phillip McCallen
Phillip McCallen is a Northern Ireland born former motorcycle racer, now turned to dealer in his retirement from road racing....
to eventually finish second - widely remembered as one of the best ever races at the North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
.
Linsdell also scored points in various rounds of the World Formula One
Formula TT
The Formula TT was a racing class for motorcycles from 1977 to 1989 as the official World Cup under the umbrella of International Motorcycling Federation...
championship, beating many regulars on home backed machinery.
Present Day and the Future
Now Steve has started to take a back seat in order to help his son Olie Linsdell, in his racing Career. Olie has enjoyed notable success on the Road circuits himself, with a win at the North West 200 International races 2007, and a double win at his debut at the Isle of ManIsle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
Manx Grand Prix
Manx Grand Prix
The Manx Grand Prix motorcycle races are held on the Isle of Man TT Course every year for a two-week period usually spanning the end of August and early September. The 'MGP' or 'Manx' is considered to be the amateur riders' alternative to the Isle of Man TT Races held in May and June...
in 2007. Steve features on the latest TT superbike legends PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
2 game, which was released in November 2008.
Throughout his career Steve has always tried to ride something different for the fans - to bring a different angle to racing and he continues to do that to this day.