The Isle of Man TT remains the greatest motorcycle race on Earth, and as it enters its second century Duke is offering fans a rare opportunity to own vintage recordings from a golden period of the event’s history.
Originally released on vinyl as part of the Stanley Schofield Sound Stories archive, these wonderful recordings include highlights from the 1958 Senior TT, sounds from racing in 1959 and coverage from 1960.
Each captures all the evocative sounds which will let fans close their eyes and be transported back in time, back to a time when today’s legends were being created. The roaring engines and distinctive exhaust notes of classic machines, including MV Agusta, Norton, Matchless, BSA, AJS, BMW and more, are complemented by the authoritative commentary of TT winner and BBC commentator Graham Walker.
Graham’s script for each recording was prepared by his son, the now world-famous “Voice of Motorsport” Murray Walker – and Murray makes a few appearances adding his own familiar tones to the TT soundtrack. The recordings have been digitally remastered to enhance the listening experience, but have lost none of the charm of these classic masterpieces. And to make these CDs a real treat for enthusiasts, the sleeves notes written by Graham Walker are reproduced in full.
The first CD features the Senior TT from 1958 and highlights from the TT of 1959, including practice, the Formula One, Junior and Senior races – as well as a rare trip to testing at Jurby airfield.
As well as race coverage and the sounds of the machines, the recordings feature interviews with legends of the sport, including John Surtees, Geoff Duke, Bob McIntyre, a young Mike Hailwood and more.
The 1959 Senior TT was a dramatic event, run in horrendous weather conditions. In these recordings you can actually hear the howling wind which faced the riders on the Mountain as they battled for glory.
You’ll also hear machines in action on both the famous Mountain Course and the Clypse circuit, and the debut of Honda in the Isle of Man.
The second CD, which features two discs,has highlights from the 125cc and 250cc Lightweight races, Junior and Senior TTs and the Sidecar competition, back on the Mountain Course for the first time in 35 years.
This is a chance to hear the likes of Surtees, Hailwood, McIntyre, Carlo Ubbiali, Gary Hocking, John Hartle, Derek Minter, Luigi Taveri and more putting classic machines through their paces.
You’ll hear marvellous sounds from the likes of MV, Norton, Honda, BMW and Morini at full chat as they pass the landmarks of the world-famous TT circuit, with the Walkers charting the race action as it unfolds.
The 1960 TT was packed with history-making events, including the MV-dominated 125cc, 250cc and 350cc races, and the first Senior TT to be won at an average speed of more than 100mph. The wonderful exhaust notes, commentary and interviews are not only a vintage treat, but bring you all the drama and action of a festival of truly thrilling racing.
The Senior TT 1958 and TT 1959 and the Isle of Man TT 1960 CDs are released 26th May, priced at £10.99 and £14.99 respectively, from leading outlets or direct from Duke Video: Tel 01624 640000 email mail@dukevideo.com Visit www.dukevideo.com online.
