From The Other Side Of The Tracks by Sue Horton
There are plenty of biographies by ex-sports stars, but few by their long-suffering partners. This book tips the balance a little, while shining a light on what it was like to perform in the dying days of the now mythical Continental Circus. Where the little guys …and girls… took on the stars of the works racing teams and won. Well, some-times.
It’s a fascinating read for fans of the glory years of Grand Prix racing and the Isle of Man TT, and takes the lid off what it was like to race as one of the many privateers.
“It is a beautifully written book which made me realise just how much our wives had to contend with whilst we pursued our chosen sport, often on the move and working in the most primitive of conditions.
What struck me most was just how close Sue and Clive’s relationship was and there's no doubting Sue’s flair for writing and lovely dry wit. With elements of hardship, failure, success, comedy and love, I can thoroughly recommend the book to anyone that has an interest in motorcycle racing, particularly back in the seventies and early eighties.”
– Charlie Williams. Ten times Isle of Man winner and TT legend
With a foreword by fellow privateer and 1980 350cc World Champion Jon Ekerold - the last such privateer to win a world title – Sue tracks Clive’s career from Bantam Racing Club to Grand Prix circus. Where, in 1980, MCN put Clive on a par with Barry Sheene as the Brit most likely to win a World Title. Neither did but that’s where the similarity ended. There were neither corporate sponsors nor works riders for Clive – besides an interlude with Armstrong – but there’s no resentment or envy in Sue’s book either. Only wit and warmth, though there are tears along the way too.
231 pages
B&W and Colour Photos