INTERVIEW: Steve Parrish on why the Sheene era still rules

Reminiscing on his career, one thing’s clear: the passion hasn’t dimmed a bit. Recalling his early years, when a Guildford-based builder bought him the Suzuki RG500 that propelled him to national success, Parrish noted a major milestone: “I actually won the British Championship 50 years ago in 1976, the same year Barry Sheene won the World Championship.” 

After winning the Grovewood Award for Most Promising Young Rider that same year, Parrish’s career trajectory shifted. “By then, I’d got to know Barry. He had a word with Suzuki, and I joined the team in ’77. The 1976 and ’77 bikes are even on the grid today [at Goodwood], which I’m excited to get out and ride.” 

The 83^rd Members’ Meeting honoured Sheene with the event’s first-ever bike demo, where the track was flooded with unmistakeable machinery from that decade, including those iconic Championship winners.

Parrish was Sheene’s team-mate for the 1977 campaign, something which he described as a “dream”, though it wasn’t without its downsides.

“He was my hero, I had his poster on my wall. The only problem was, he nearly ruined my career because he was better than me! It was like being teammates with Valentino Rossi or Michael Schumacher. He taught me a lot, but most of the time, he beat me. Still, it was a great honour, and we had a lot of fun in the days when you were actually allowed to have fun.” 

That sense of fun is being resurrected this year as we celebrate the 50^th anniversary of both Sheene and James Hunt becoming World Champions — a celebration Parrish helped set in motion. “I did press the point last year that it was 50 years since Barry and James Hunt, and it's lovely to see that turning into fruition. It’s like turning the clock back. For the younger drivers, they get to see what it was probably like—they see what they missed out on.” 

It’s impossible to discuss Parrish’s career without Sheene’s name surfacing, but beyond the track, Parrish credits Sheene with modernising the sport. “Barry was very important for motorcycle racing. He changed it from what I call the ‘black leathers’ era of the '60s — the oil and the smell — to something bright and colourful. He took us from the back pages of the papers to the front pages.” 

And Sheene wasn't just a poster boy; he was a pioneer for safety. “He has a legacy for that alone,” Parrish noted. “He was the first to stand up to organisers and say, ‘We’re not racing here because it’s too dangerous. You need to move that barrier back.’” 

The connection between eras was most evident during a recent meeting with the legends' sons, when Parrish spoke with both Freddie Sheene and Freddie Hunt. “It was like 'Freddie meets Freddie.' It was lovely talking about the cars and bikes and what they knew of their dads as kids. Even the young riders today, like Storm Stacey, still hold Barry in such high regard. There hasn't been a UK rider to win the World Championship since him.” 

Looking ahead to continuing the celebrations of Sheene’s achievements at the Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard and the Revival later this year, Parrish shared how he is most excited to experience the atmosphere. “It’s a gathering of the ‘old.’ Without sounding sombre, it’s a bit like a funeral in that you see everyone from that era at once!"

“We have breakfast, we chat, the car guys talk to the bike guys. I'm looking forward to parking on the grid with the F1 cars and bikes from that era together. These will probably be the best years I'll have at Goodwood. I’m absolutely loving it.” 

The stage is set to honour a golden era of racing and the characters who made it legendary. It’s a rare chance to see history return to the track, an occasion that Parris anticipates will be “absolutely fabulous”. We can’t wait to see him back in action and honouring his great friend at the celebrations still to come throughout 2026.

The 84th Members' Meeting will take place on 10th and 11th April 2027, sign up for ticket alerts to make sure you don't miss out. Tickets will be available to GRRC Members and Fellows, you can join the Fellowship today.

Photography by Charlie Brenninkmeijer, Tom Baigent and Joe Harding.