Niall Mackenzie

The 40-year-old Mackenzie has been Britain’s most successful Grand Prix racer since the legendary Barry Sheene. At his final race in Knockhill in August 2001, more than 20,000 fans turned up to watch him and to bid farewell to their local hero. Niall has come a long way from Denny where he would regularly get into trouble for racing round the streets, as well as in and out of the local chip shops, to impress the girls. As an amateur, it was recognized he had an abundance of talent, especially after winning his first race at Knockhill, but he also had a wild side and looks back on a time when chasing girls and getting drunk were as important as winning races. After moving up through the amateur ranks and securing his first factory 500cc rides on a Suzuki, Niall notched up a host of 500cc GP podium finishes before moving to Superbikes. He proved unbeatable between 1996 and 1998 when he claimed a hat-trick of British Superbike titles. On each occasion he beat big-name team-mates such as Jamie Whitham, Chris Walker and Steve Hislop.
This look into the British GP and Superbike scene through the eyes of one of its legends, has been fully updated with Mackenzie’s career adventures off the track in 2003.

Author Biography

Niall Mackenzie is a three-time British Superbike champion who retired from competitive racing in 2001. He commentates for Eurosport on British and World Superbikes and test race bikes. Stuart Barker is a freelance journalist and also works for MCN on a regular basis.