Derek Minter King of the Brands (HB) - Description
This hardback book, by renowned author Mick Walker, examines the great Derek Minter.
This extensively illustrated and thoroughly informative volume is a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest ever motorcycle racing stars.
It examines his career in detail, including all the championship and Isle of Man TT glory.
Minter started his racing career in 1953 on a BSA Gold Star and his early promise as an inexperienced youngster was very quickly fulfilled.
After transferring to Nortons he soon became King of Brands, succeeding the famous John Surtees.
He was double British Champion in 1958, became the first man to lap the Isle of Man TT circuit at over 100mph on a single cylinder bike in 1960 and, during 1962, he not only became triple British Champion, but also won the 250cc TT on a privately entered Honda - beating the might of the Honda works team in the process.
In 1963 he rode for the Geoff Duke Scuderia Gilera squad and only a crash early in the season prevented him seriously challenging World Champion Mike Hailwood for the 500cc title.
By 1965 he held the lap record for virtually every British short circuit. And by the time he retired at the end of 1967 had ridden for many manufactures, including MZ, Moto Morini, Bianchi, REG, EMC, Honda and Norton.
