Steve Parrish

24/2/1955

Record updated 24-Feb-07

Versatile competitor who won the 500cc British Motorcycle Championship in 1978 and the 500cc Shellsport Motorcycle Championship in 1979. He took the British Superbike title in 1981 before switching to truck racing and taking 7 British and European Championships.

One of the most versatile competitors in motorsport, Steve started out riding motorcycles and cars around his father's small farm at the age of 9. His first race was in 1972 at Snetterton and in 1976 he became a professional rider, joining Barry Sheene in the Suzuki GP team and subsequently taking 5th place in the 500cc World Championship in 1977.

In 1978, he won the 500cc British Motorcycle Championship and the 500cc Shellsport Motorcycle Championship the following year. In 1980 he joined Yamaha, winning many European and British races and in 1981 he claimed the British Superbike title.

1984 saw the introduction of truck racing to the European circuits. Not to miss an opportunity, Steve joined Sheene, Brundle, Alan Jones, Stig Blomqvist and many more to try the big monsters for size and has since proven to be the most successful truck racer in history, taking 7 British and European titles.

Steve's career in the media started with the BBC in 1985 when he began commentating on motorcycles for BBC radio before moving to TV in 1990 where he worked on their GP coverage.

He retired from two-wheel riding in 1986 and managed the UK Yamaha Superbike Team, taking three British titles.

He has raced in the Vauxhall Caterham Series, winning and regularly appearing on the podium. Steve has worked for Sky Television as a studio guest for motorcycle racing programmes and for Eurosport as a World Superbike commentator. Eurosport and Motors TV have also employed Steve for track tests.

• 1976: Winner, Grovewood Award, Best Young Rider, Motorcycles
• 1976: 5th, 500cc World Motorcycle Championship
• 1978: Winner, 500cc British Motorcycle Championship
• 1979: Winner, 500cc Shellsport Motorcycle Championship
• 1981: Winner, British Superbike Championship
• 1987: Winner, British Open Truck Racing Championship
• 1989: 2nd, British Open Truck Racing Championship
• 1990: Winner, European and British Truck Racing Championships
• 1991: Winner, British Open Truck Racing Championship
• 1992: Winner, European and British Truck Racing Championships
• 1993: Winner, European and British Truck Racing Championships
• 1994: Winner, European Truck Racing Championship
• 1995: 2nd, European Truck Racing Championship
• 1996: Winner, European Truck Racing Championship