He turned professional in 1976 won the ACU Solo title in the British Motorcycle Championship. He became a team mate to the late, great Barry Sheene and competed in the 1977 500cc World Champioinship where he finished 5th. He was 500cc British Champion in 1978 and won the Shell 500 title in 1979 and 1980. He also competed at eight Isle Of Man TT’s.
After retiring from motorcycle racing in 1986 he took up truck racing. In 1987 he was the British Open Truck Racing Champion and in 1990 he won both the European and British Truck Racing Championships. He held the British title for four years and retained the European title for three years. He won the European title again in 1996. He is the most successful British Truck racer ever.
Outside of truck racing he was UK Yamaha Factory team manager from 1987 to 1991 and led the team to three British Superbike Championships in 1987, 1989 and 1990. He is a regular on our TV screens commentating on bike racing, more recently World Superbikes, and is also a regular presenter of the Isle Of Man TT programmes.
These are his Quick 10 and he is…..Steve Parrish.
1. What is your favourite circuit and why?
Spa Francorchamps had some great races there on the old circuit, beating Ago was one time in 1977
2. Who is/was your racing idol?
Barry Sheene then and Valentino Rossi
3. Who would you regard as your toughest opponent?
Everyone is your toughest opponent especially if they are in front of me but probably Barry Sheene, always need to try to beat your team mate!
4. Considering racers of all time, you are a team principal and money is no object. Which two racers would you have in your team?
Casey Stoner and Marc Marquez
5. If you could invite four famous people to dinner (past and present), who would you invite?
Barry Sheene, Mike Hailwood, Roger Federer and Marco Simoncelli
6. Personal racing number? What is it and the reason behind it?
No. 6 – No particular reason it was the only one available at the time plus it was one less than Barry Sheene NO.7 !
7. What is the best race you have been involved in?
Spa 1977 when I had a great battle with Pat Hennen, Steve Baker and Ago and beat them all!!!
8. Is there a race or series you have not competed in, that you would like to or had wanted to?
British Touring Cars
9. How did you get into motor racing? What ignited that spark?
Got into it because I loved engines and taking them a part and we had a disused airfield nearby so I would take my brothers bike and ride up and down it
10. What is the best advice in racing you have been given?
Preparation, Preparation, preparation! Always check the motorcycle, car, truck over before getting on it!
I know Steve is a very busy man, so I would like to not only thank him for taking the time out from his hectic schedule to answer these questions but for the also the interaction on Twitter where is always kind enough to answer a Tweet and be entertaining.
Neil Simmons
Twitter: @world_racing
Photo Credits: www.steveparrishracing.com