The 1980s was a golden era for Grand Prix motorcycle racing, the 500cc World Championship producing legendary riders and unforgettable high-speed showdowns. Many of the most memorable battles have gone down in history as the greatest GPs of all time, the fast and furious racing ensuring the events are remember decades later.
The experts at Duke, the home of motorcycle racing on DVD, have searched through the company’s extensive archives of Grand Prix footage to carefully select the very finest encounters to create an exceptional DVD collection.
Each DVD provides extensive coverage of a single race which has earned its place among the greatest bike GPs of the 1980s. Awesome race footage, early on-bike camerawork, interviews with the stars, informed commentary and, in many cases, coverage of the 125cc and 250cc GP races, make these DVDs must-see viewing for all bike fans.
The first four instalments – Belgium 1985, West Germany 1986, France 1988 and Australia 1989 – were released February, and Duke is delighted to confirm the next six our out now.
First we have comprehensive, action-packed coverage of the dramatic West German Grand Prix from Hockenheim on Sunday, May 26th, 1985. American star Freddie Spencer was out to ‘do the double’ and take his Rothmans Honda machinery to victory in both the 250cc and 500cc classes. However, he would have to contend with extremely challenging conditions and strong competition in two thrilling races – not least from wet weather expert Christian Sarron. Superb camera angles deliver all the action from both races, putting viewers on the edges of your seats as first Spencer battles back from a poor start in the 250cc event to try and catch leader Martin Wimmer, and then finds himself under intense pressure in the 500cc race from flying Frenchman Sarron. The DVD includes interviews with stars like Eddie Lawson, Ron Haslam, Randy Mamola and Raymond Roche, plus Spencer and Sarron reveal the inside story of the awesome 500cc race, explaining how the French rider turned an 18 second deficit in a massive lead despite treacherous conditions, including the unforgettable moment when Sarron, ignoring the slippery conditions, forced his 500cc Yamaha around the outside of Spencer.
Next is the full story of the dramatic Dutch Grand Prix from Assen on Saturday, June 29th, 1985. World Champion Lawson was determined to cut the title lead of fellow American Spencer at the Dutch TT, but he would have to contend with driving rain and some very determined rivals. Spencer and Sarron were out early, leaving the door open for Lawson to pursue and pass second-placed Haslam. However, his bid to catch runaway leader Mamola ended in disaster for the normally ‘Steady Eddie’. Superb camera angles, including superb on-board footage of the rain-lashed Assen circuit courtesy of Mamola, bring you all the action, plus interviews with the stars. This DVD also includes highlights of the breathtaking 250cc race, as Toni Mang battles from 29th to first in treacherous conditions, only to find himself under intense pressure from rivals including Martin Wimmer, Carlos Lavado and Spencer during what proved a truly gripping contest. Finally, the DVD features coverage of fast and furious Sidecar World Championship race, which saw the dominant Steve Webster and Tony Hewitt lose the lead in an horrific crash.
On Sunday, April 26th, 1987, the Jerez circuit played host to the Spanish Grand Prix, and what an actionpacked debut it enjoyed! The technical and twisting circuit coupled with soaring heat ensured the race was a draining affair for the riders. The race action proved as hot as the sweltering temperature, with Wayne Gardner and Lawson dicing for the lead, Brits Haslam and Niall McKenzie locked in battle for third and the likes of Kevin Schwantz and Mamola contesting a seven-way, race-long fight for fifth. Superb camera angles show all the action as Gardner forces his way past Lawson, Haslam holds off the hard-charging McKenzie and the midfield
melee unfolds in this pulsating race. There are also interviews with stars like Lawson, Gardner,
McKenzie and Mamola. The DVD includes coverage of the 250cc race, which saw Mang throw away an early lead to leave Wimmer and Luca Cadalora to fight it out.
In the Italian Grand Prix 1987 DVD we are treated to the drama and action from the Nations GP from the Monza circuit on Sunday, May 24th. American Mamola was eager to defend an early season World Championship lead, but Honda’s Gardner and reigning champion Lawson were the men to beat. The pair enjoyed an early dice before Australian Gardner secured a commanding, and unassailable lead. Behind them, though, the battle raged as five riders, including Mamola, Sarron, Haslam and Rob McElnea, fought for the final podium position. Superb camera angles deliver all the action as the thrilling five-way contest unfolds, including the heartbreaking moment when Mamola crashed out just two corners from the chequered flag. Plus, there’s Schwantz’s remarkable ride through the field and interviews with Lawson, Gardner, Schwantz and
team boss Kenny Roberts, explaining why he returned to the Grand Prix track after four years in retirement.
The DVD includes coverage of the awesome 250cc race, as Mang, Reinhold Roth, Dominique Sarron and more battle each other, and the Italian heat, in a desperate tussle for victory.
The Bike Grand Prix circus returned to America for the first time in two decades for the American Grand Prix, held at the legendary Laguna Seca, California, on Sunday, April 10th, 1988. US fans were hoping for a home victory, and with American racing stars like Lawson, Schwantz and Wayne Rainey on the grid it looked like their dreams could come true. However, it was Brit McKenzie who set the pace, roaring into the lead chased by reigning World Champion Gardner. Lawson, after fumbling the start, was languishing in the midfield, leaving countrymen Schwantz and Rainey to fly the Stars and Stripes. Typically, two-times World Champion Lawson refused to give up and embarked on one of the most thrilling fightbacks ever seen, reeling in and sweeping past his rivals as he chased victory. Superb camera angles bring you all the action as Lawson races elbow-to-elbow with Schwantz, Rainey, Gardner and McKenzie, scything his way past the opposition.
There are also interviews with many of the stars, including a distinctly unimpressed Gardner, furious about the track condition and its affect on his bucking Rothmans Honda. This DVD also includes highlights from the awesome 250cc race, where rookie rider Jim Filice stunned seasoned campaigners like Mang, Lavado and Sito Pons – and delighted home fans – with an unexpected victory.
Sarron was on pole again for the drama-filled Belgian Grand Prix, held at the classic Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Sunday, July 3rd, 1988, and with rain falling the French wet-weather expert looked set for success. However, it was reigning World Champion Gardner who leapt into first place, his Rothmans Honda leading title rival Lawson’s Marlboro Yahama into the awesome Eau Rouge. Sarron fought back, forcing his way past Lawson and reeling in the hard-charging Gardner. The leading pair embarked on an epic battle, wrestling with twitching 500cc machines on the wet circuit, heroically battling to control the sliding bikes. Superb camera angles show Gardner and Sarron trading blows in this enthralling race, and Cagiva hero Mamola defying the
critics to battle back from 22nd to the podium. Interviews with the stars, including Gardner, Lawson, Schwantz, Rainey and an emotional Mamola ensure this is the full story of an amazing Grand Prix. This DVD also includes highlights from the incredible 250cc race, where the awesome battle between Mang, Pons, Sarron and Juan Garriga was marred by terrifying crashes.
The West German (1985), Dutch (1985), Spanish (1987), Italian (1987), American (1988) and Belgian (1988) Bike Grand Prix Reviews are released 9th March on DVD, priced at £7.82 each and will be available from leading video outlets or direct from Duke Video: Tel 01624 640000, fax 01624 640 001 or email mail@dukevideo.com. Visit www.dukevideo.com online.
