Never Say Always

by Jo Harris

'The unmistakable voice of Moto GP' - Valentino RossiAs 'The Voice' of motorcycle racing for forty years, commentator Nick Harris became the biggest star not on two wheels in the paddock, and this is his mostly eye-witness, white-knuckle account of MotoGP's scorching seventy-year history.The story starts on the Isle of Man in 1949, when Geoff Duke, with his slicked-back hair and one-piece black leathers, became the nation's hero, defying the odds and winning the most dangerous race in the world on a British-built Norton. Just over a decade later at Mallory Park, another British champion and one of the greatest riders of all time Mike Hailwood screamed past a young Nick Harris on his 250cc Honda, and a life-long passion was born.Harris has been at the centre of the sport for decades, getting to know the riders as individuals, seeings feuds unfold, champions made, careers and sometimes lives ended. We'll see the biggest podium stars up close, from Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts to Valentino Rossi, and we'll meet the mechanics behind them, the manufacturers who poured millions into the teams, and the organisers who, in the early days, ruthlessly compromised rider safety for profits. The drama has often been as tense off the track as on it.This is the book the motorcycling world has been waiting for.

Genres: Sports

Paperback

Published February 18, 1988

Reviews

[EDWARD FOREMAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book can't quite decide what it is and the title is misleading for the first part. You see partly its a history of motorcycle GP racing, much of which has been done before better, and it's not the inside story because the author had either not been born or was a child . The second half is more true to its title as Nick Harris talks about his experiences as a journalist covering GP racing. I would have liked more of this and maybe cut the first part. The author could have given more personal insight into his time as a journalist, instead I got the feeling it was a high speed skim through those years. You never get to know anything about Nick Harris the man, it's almost as if he was still writing a ghost article for Barry Sheene.

[Adam Vibert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a nice look back at the history of the world motorcycle GP championships, through the eyes of Nick Harris, a well known motorcycle journalist and MotoGP broadcaster often named the 'voice of MotoGP'

The book starts by covering the formation of the championships in 1949 and then goes on to cover key years/events/riders from then until the publication date. It also outlines Harris' own career Journey, and it was interesting to hear some of what goes on behind the scenes at a GP.

I agree with the other review that states the book can be repetitive at times, and I also felt that some of the key stories or big events were somewhat rushed (the chapter on Marco Simoncelli is just one example). Overall, fans of motorcycles and racing will enjoy this book.

[Ade Windsor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nick has had a long career in journalism covering motorcycles and F1 racing. His knowledge is vast and he has encountered all of the famous figures in both sports and has many tales to tell of his adventures over the years. Sadly though it is not all that entertaining, factual yes but somehow when relates incidents over the years he can't seem to extract the fun, although detailed it seems to me quite he can't inject the fun factor that must've been a big part of the story. Nonetheless it is a great historical account of the progression of Motorsport particularly GP500 and MotoGP at a time of huge change especially in regard to its image in the modern age of media.

[Ron S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fond look back at 40 years of journalism, primarily as a MotoGP broadcaster. While repetitive at times, and not much more than a a list of results in others, the love and enthusiasm Harris has for sport and many of those in it clearly shines through. Since this book covers the motorcycle world championships from their inception (and not just during Harris's own career), there's something in here for everyone, whether you're more familiar with Mike Hailwood than Valentino Rossi, Kenny Roberts Sr or Jr.

[James Roriston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that revisits the rise of MotoGP and other earlier episodes of Nick's life. An economical writing style that makes for a quick read - though I question if you really get the inside line on what it's like to be a commentator on the greatest motorcycle championship on earth... Occasional anecdotes intersperse a more historical retelling of MotoGP over the years provide rhe majority of material herd.

I'm not always sure Nick Harris has the prose to provide the colour necessary to make this a truly 'great' sporting 'inside line' book.

For the diehard alone would be my guess.