Freddie Spencer at Brooklands

Steve Parrish talks with "Fast Freddie", one of the greatest motorcycle racers of the 1980s winning three World Championships on 500cc and 250cc bikes. Some great banter and humour!

[@marshallh9]

What a great story teller! Thoroughly enjoyable interview. Really enjoying these series of talks at Brooklands.

[@GT380man]

Freddie was the most astonishing rider I’d ever seen. Extraordinarily aggressive & talented.

[@tinniswood2577]

Great conversation, I could listen to Freddie all day.

[@4kdesign851]

A very pleasant personality. Thx Freddie. Great talk.

[@Unknown-bv7lv]

Big star in the 80s Raced 250 and 500cc same day . Legend

[@bystander1489]

He raced a factory 250 against all privateers so it was easy

[@paullinnitt7710]

@@bystander1489 He was double (250cc and 500cc) world champion in 1985 a unique achievement, so i am not sure that he was racing against privateers in the 250cc world championship. The only other Double world champions were Agostini (350 and 500), John Surtees (350 and 500) and Geoff Duke (350 and 500).

[@bystander1489]

@@paullinnitt7710 yes it was all against privateers on a factory bike that was 30-40 mph faster than the private 250s it was because fim was getting rid of the 350s so it was a easy championship for him even Eddie Lawson said it, I remember watching it and spencer was lapping everybody nearly twice in each race so again not very difficult

[@dennisobrien2578]

Great interview! So much I didn’t know about him. He was before my time and interest in the sport.

[@alanburton2689]

Freddie a true and honest gentleman and fantastic rider in his day

[@jaustinkwack]

Fantastic Fast Freddie ! Another great interview, Thanks !

[@Abogado-Del-Diablo]

The greatest champion of all time. I used to watch him race in the early 70’s for MV Augusta, when I was young boy, absolutely loved him. What a lot of people forget is racing then was extremely dangerous and they did for love not money.

[@1bvm174]

I bought my first bike in 1985, a 600 Ninja, I started racing 1986 and it was because Freddie was my hero. I didn't understand his struggles in 1986 onward and I lost some respect. I raced AMA Superbike 1995 at Gateway Intl. It was much worse than Suzuka 8hr weather. It was unusually hot, just brutal and Freddie retired to the A/C trailer of Fast by Ferraci. I was sweating my ass off in the pits and I thought this is my hero? When your body says no, you can't do this or that anymore you are at your vessels mercy, especially when the margins are so small. Freddie, I'm sorry I ever doubted you and I'm sorry for being dis-respectful when your name came up all those years ago. I will always remember you as a special man and one of my great racing heroes. Thank you

[@barrywithers8913]

For me growing up in Australia Freddie was an Enigma , i was still at high school . No social media . The only information was the REVS magazine . Its good to hear his story and he is Human Being . Not from outer space !

[@Axesent77]

haha!, I was a bit younger, But that's so true mate!. Revs magazine "the mysterious Freddie Spencer" golden era!

[@barrywithers8913]

Start of 85 before Daytona i think , Freddie was testing the Honda 500 and 250 at Surfers Paradise International Race Way in Australia.. Only 3.2km long but a Horsepower circuit . Get there and security wouldnt let anyone in and they where all around the Track .. I could hear him just couldnt see him .. Dam Enigma !!

[@johndeere1951a]

I was fortunate to be working for another American in '85 and didn't realize Freddie's injury at Jarama. He didn't socialize in the paddock. Right back to a secure motor home, or out on a bike. Two grand Prix in one afternoon. Barely time to pee in between. Champion 🏆🏆 season🇺🇲 Disrespectful press. His body wore out. 🏁Legend 🏁✌️

[@MrPADDYOT]

Great interview, Freddie is a natural storyteller. Seems like a really genuine good guy.

[@martinhambleton5076]

I always thought what a well balanced and sportsman like champion Freddie is.

[@Eelgnotsa]

Freddie was my first hero,my brother built a model of the ns500 model from tamiya..I saw a poster of Freddie in the dealership in 84 of him on the bike in 83 stating that he was world champion..the leather suit he wore with big Denise logo on the whole back was iconic

[@bluespig1]

Thanks Brooklands, S.Parish & Mr Spencer whom I met in Melbourne Australia one year at the GP. A total gentleman. And I notice, like many pro riders, shocking finger/hand injuries.

[@hughphillips1427]

Freddie Spencer one of the most talented racers ever.

[@pabloperez4063]

we can listen to you all day

[@sharpsdoublerifle1439]

Wish they would have talked more about the AMA Superbike Championships...as those bikes and years have become idolized and MANY old CB750 and KZ1000J converted into Spencer or Lawson replica bikes. Crosby has latched onto the craze, Freddie and Eddie should do the same. I have the RACER magazine for both the KZ1000S1 and the CB750F, and they are MAVELS of machinery, and ingenuity. So Freaking cool.. Good Job Fast Freddie....

[@MBIKES21]

Superb guy.

[@richardwilliams3369]

Freddie was the best rider I’ve ever seen hell he could ride a bike.

[@pabloperez4063]

alongside with Kenny, the 2 most passionate riders ever

[@MFP2241]

Youngsters: this man Freddie Spencer, was essential piece for Honda developing high tech motorcycles since the 80's... He's more than a respectable GP Champion.

[@lee4171]

A true honest gent Freddie.

[@David-Field.Stuff01]

Freddies memory is sharp as a tack.

[@Tommytwotone762]

Wow! Freddie was it for me!

[@parcidiooliveira9943]

Assisti a uma das mais emocionantes corridas de 500 cc entre Kenny Roberts e Freddie Spencer em JARAMA/Espanha - 1982! Desde a primeira volta até à última volta e à meta picados!!!? Saiu vencedor Fast Freddie que quase caia na última volta e num gancho onde eu assistia à corrida! Foi campeão Franco Uncini em Suzuki. Teve uma passagem rápida pelo Continental Circus. O ano em que correu e foi campeão em 250 e 500cc foi demasiado esforço (penso eu) para Freddie! Um homem simples e extraordinário! Um grande abraço de um adepto do Norte de Portugal.

[@matskarlsson8545]

I love Freddie but I think he had a few before the interview...

[@lynnlittle8671]

Incredible!

[@barrylewis586]

I have my prized signed copy of Freddies book! What a guy!..

[@fastjaydub]

This is motorcycle racing gold.

[@manoliswec5674]

goat

[@davidpetersen1323]

I get as much pleasure, listening to him, as I enjoyed watching him.

[@johnnyv673]

What a great guy

[@michaelharris4651]

Fast Freddy what a legend 👍🇦🇺

[@donaldschiel15]

We have heard from all of the americans what about pat hennen

[@christopherth]

He knows his history

[@Geletemol]

Fast Freddie alien83😊

[@user-un5iz6th1n]

I'm sure Kenny also thought Freddy was the 'stomach ache that never went away.' Great interview, and that was my favorite era of motorcycle racing. (I feel like it was frustrating for Parish though. I'm not sure why but Freddy kept cutting him off. Anyway great interview)

[@raynic1173]

I think he was struggling with how much he should talk about his career without revealing too much so the people would buy his book. It seemed kind of disjointed to me. For example, when steve asks him about life and MC's before the transatlantic match races with the UK, he first shrugs it off like nothing happened, then he reveals he was riding since he was 4 yrs. old and as a young lad and teenager his dad was driving him all over the country doing 20+ race weekends a year and wins a club race national championship. (????????) WTF.

[@tomtaylor6163]

What a great rider but a truly dull person

[@ShaneSmith-io8bj]

Parrish seems to be bored by Freddies story!

[@englishelectric]

He does. I have to say, that was hard work.

[@Anonymous-or4ru]

Poor Freddie. He sounds like and looks like a slimmer version of Ishmael (Randy Quaid) in Kingpin. I can see Freddie bowling at an alley with Roy Munson looking on.

[@Geletemol]

Still drinking dr pepper😮😮?????? Lousiana well educated genipus

[@xplane7523]

Steve looked bored at times.

[@rvdvogt]

Yeah, loads of talent - no stamina.

[@blacklight4460]

When Freddie was hot, he ran way from the field.

[@MichaelGreen-vn7dr]

why would Freddie be at Brooklands? Dads mate John King, who lived in Waybridge, set SC records in the 1920 there! I've been up test hill in my Ford rental car in 1984... Freddie and i in a number of races in USA together...

[@lawsonfan5797]

So we're just gonna skip over 1984?