Steve Parrish

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As if it’s not already hot enough in the UK at the moment, I’m sitting in the airport about to board a flight to Majorca for a couple of weeks under the even hotter sun. At least I’ll have the sea to cool off in and there won’t be any godforsaken thunder flies... surely that’s got to be the worst thing about the great British summer!

As mentioned in my last column, I headed over to Sweden for some demonstration rides on an RC45 at the old Grand Prix circuit, Karlskoga. I took part in the very last motorcycle Grand Prix there in 1979, so it was nice to head over and relive some memories. The event’s organisers very kindly loaned me the use a beautiful Rolls Royce car to get around in – I can’t remember being that well looked-after back in the day!

From there it was to the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which was more special than ever this year, thanks to the attendance of Wayne Rainey and his astonishing runs up the hill on his career-ending 1993 Yamaha YZR500. He had his old Grand Prix mates there to celebrate the occasion, all riding up the hill alongside him. It was incredibly emotional to watch, so I can’t even imagine what it was like for Wayne himself, having not sat on that bike for nearly 30 years, let alone ride the thing.

They had to fit it up with hand gear shifters which I thought were pretty neat; a button to change up a gear and a pull of the clutch to down shift. He did a brilliant job and really put a show on for the crowd, with power wheelies up the hill and large plumes of blue smoke behind him. If you haven’t seen Suzi Perry’s documentary about it with BT Sport, it’s well worth a watch. Just make sure you have the tissues ready.

I was riding one of Barry’s RG500s up the hill with my favourite sticker across the front… you can’t argue with that caption!

I was also over to host the VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) 40th anniversary and judge some bikes. Unbelievably, one of my own bikes won – it’s a miracle. I’d best add that they actually judged that one, and my little 1972 Yamaha TD2B 250 won best-looking race bike. And finally, last month I was helping out at a hill climb event down at Prescott with Henry Cole, which was to help raise funds for Blood Bikes. It’s a great cause that provides a professional rapid-response medical transport service to the NHS, free of charge. Henry and I had a go at the passenger experience... as much as I like the look of the sidecars, I can’t say I’ll be having a proper go in one anytime soon... I’m just not brave or stupid enough. Next up it’s the Donington Classic on July 31 where I’ll be riding the Manx Norton, so that’s something to look forward to when I get back. Adios.

He was rolling in the Roller...