He bought a scooter, and was satisfied with that, until a go on a friend’s motorcycle proved revelatory.
There are people who’ve written a lot of books – and then there’s Mick Walker. The author of over 130 motorcycle-related tomes, his prodigious output was even more astounding when it’s taken into account he didn’t start writing until later in life.
Born on November 30, 1942, in Wretton, Norfolk, Mick went to the local primary school, then on to Downham Market secondary modern.
While at school, he was in the Air Training Corps, which fuelled a desire to join the Royal Air Force and he duly joined in 1958, signing on for 12 years, as was the then practice.
He was to work as Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) with his first posting taking him back to Norfolk and RAF Marham, before embarking on a ‘tour’ of a varied range of RAF stations, at home and abroad.
While in the RAF, in 1961, Walker bought his two-wheeler, a Lambretta scooter, and was satisfied with that, until a go on a friend’s motorcycle proved revelatory.
Mick wanted a motorcycle of his own, but a quest for the unusual and Italian had started already; he bought a Ducati 250 Daytona. This purchase opened up a new world, which he heartily embraced.
Postings abroad and scores of motorcycles followed, before deciding to start racing, armed with a 175cc Ducati – and a Reliant Regal van, necessitated by not having a car licence.
A much-loved Triton was sacrificed to buy the three-wheeler. He made his racing bow in 1965, going on to ride in the Lightweight Manx GP four times, his best being 30th in 1971. Each ride was on a Ducati, of course.
Read more in the October 2019 issue of TCM – on sale now!
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