Geoff Duke O.B.E. is the original superstar of motorcycle racing, a sportsman whose success, skill and personality ensured he became a household name. In Pursuit of Perfection is the most comprehensive and revealing film ever made about this groundbreaking motorsport icon and British sporting hero.
The proud Lancastrian scored 33 Grand Prix wins in a career which spanned little more than a decade and a stunning six World Championships in just five years. He demonstrated his skills off-road and on-track, on two wheels and on four, he smashed records, set new standards and beat his European rivals in their own back yards.
During extensive interviews with Mick Woollett to commemorate his 80th birthday, Geoff recalls everything from his very first motorcycle to his sudden retirement, offering an unparalleled insight into his Isle of Man TT wins, glories in 350cc and 500cc World Championship racing and what was really happening in the politically-motivated world of 1950s motorsport.
Throughout are previously unseen photographs and rare archive footage showing Geoff’s greatest races on the TT Mountain course, Assen, Monza, Spa, Oliver’s Mount and other classic circuits. He details the Norton years, the switch to Gilera, his time with Aston Martin and his shock decision to quit racing in September 1959, despite taking three wins in his final professional outing.
Geoff recalls friends and rivals, figures like Hugh Viney, Les Graham and Artie Bell, and opens his heart about the controversial ban and injury which prevented him challenging for the World Championships in 1956 and 1957.
We are reminded of the principled gentleman who would stand up for colleagues and the superstar who would twice be voted British Sports Personality of the Year and be awarded the Order of the British Empire. Above all, we are reminded, in action footage, rare photographs and the pin-sharp recollection of the man himself, of the racer. Geoff Duke – a racer always In Pursuit of Perfection.
Extra Features:
• TT Circuit Guide
• Racing Rivals
• Tyre Problems
• Records and Folies in France
• Artie’s Crash
• Modifying the Gilera
• Scuderia Duke
• TT Centenary Parade
• The Trophies
"This is a typically professional offering from Duke Video (appropriately), honouring the Lancastrian six-time World Champion as he reaches 80. The winner of 33 Grands Prix discusses his career, his friends and also his many rivals, with corresponding archive footage of the great man racing on the TT Mountain course, Assen, Monza, Spa and many other iconic circuits. Intriguingly, it also details his flirtation with four wheels, which briefly threatened to come good - only for him to become disillusioned by the politics within the works Aston Martin team" Octane
"This latest look back at the life of one of the all-time greats, Geoff Duke, is an absolute must for any true road racing fan. With his good looks, natural ability, and his forward thinking, Geoff Duke was one of the original superstars of the sport and was made an OBE. In this 190-minute DVD to mark Geoff’s 80th birthday, which includes much previously unseen footage and still images plus a unique interview with Mick Woollett, we get a real insight into the racer who was always ‘in pursuit of perfection" Classic Motorcycle
"I have just received the new Duke DVD In Pursuit of Perfection. This is a very important DVD to me because its about who I consider to be the greatest motorcycle road racer of all time. Geoff Duke's rise to fame in the 1950s was second to none. The DVD is well put together, beautifully edited with superb photography and the story is told by the great man himself. Absolutely wonderful" Doug Peel
"I knew just enough about Geoff Duke growing up to recognize his name as one of the period's great road racers. After watching this film I am able to realize just how good he was. His riding feats were nothing less than amazing and and he seems to have been a genuinely nice guy. I highly recommend this film. I'm sure I will watch it many times over." Tim Pruitt "Tp" (Knoxville TN USA)