Steve Linsdell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steve Linsdell, (born 1955, in Westoning, Bedfordshire), is a British motorcycle 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 sceptics 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.
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[edit] Isle of Man Career
For 1981 he built up a 1959 engined 500cc Royal Enfield 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 114mph 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.
 Linsdell aboard the only Two Stroke at the 2007 Centenary TT. |
[edit] Other Road Racing
Away from the Isle of Man 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 Phil 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.
[edit] Present Day and the Future
Now Steve has started to take a back seat in order to help his son Olie, 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 Man Manx Grand Prix in 2007.
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.
