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The comeback that sealed a motorsport legend

Barry Sheene had already survived an enormous accident at the 1975 Daytona 200, returning to win the '76 and '77 500cc world titles. But his race at the '83 British Grand Prix a year after another huge crash cemented his determined legacy

"It was like an aircraft had crashed." This is what Grand Prix motorcycle racing journalist Nick Harris thought upon arriving at the devastating scene of the accident that almost claimed the life of Barry Sheene at Silverstone in 1982.

It was the Wednesday before the British Grand Prix, and Sheene was a rider with a point to prove. The 1982 season had been going strongly for him up to that point, with four second-place finishes and two thirds putting him firmly in title contention alongside Yamaha stablemate Kenny Roberts and eventual champion Franco Uncini, who rode the works Suzuki.

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Author Lewis Duncan

Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.