Ever since Soichiro Honda visited the Isle of Man in 1954 there has been a special affinity between the Japanese marque and the TT races. In a new release from Duke Video, Honda's Golden Year TT Years DVD examines, year by year, the extraordinary success the company has enjoyed at the world-famous tournament. Soichiro Honda did much of the market research for his products, as far as travelling to races all over the world and examining the machines of his competitors. His dedication took Honda motorcycles from a disappointing finish in their first international race in 1954 to a manufacturer's team prize in the 1959 Isle of Man TT. Quoted as saying, "only by winning at the Isle of Man TT can we open our way towards becoming a world enterprise and to selling our product internationally," these words would resonate through the years as Honda produced some of the most memorable machines and greatest champions the world would ever see on two wheels. The DVD stars TT top guns such as Mike Hailwood, Jim Redman, Steve Hislop, Carl Fogarty, Phil McCallen and the late, great Joey Dunlop, the film features road racing of the highest calibre. The 1967 Diamond Jubilee Senior TT shows the great battle between Hailwood and Agostini in all its glory. Original commentary from a young Murray Walker adds a touch of class, while the DVD invites fans to turn up the volume and reminisce with a 'Sounds of Honda' featuring some fearsome howls of the classic machines that have resonated through the years. (From Golden Wings magazine of the Honda Owners Club - Summer 2003 issue.) |