Parrish Times: My Life as a Racer

by Steve Parrish

Champion motorcyclist and truck racer, television presenter, practical joker or just plain survivor - Steve Parrish has been called them all. Parrish Times tracks his amazing journey over the last four decades, through a rollercoaster ride of emotions in surely the most dangerous and exhilarating sporting arena there is.

In the 1970s Steve was competing for the world motorcycle championship with legendary team mate Barry Sheene on a Suzuki. After retiring in 1986, Steve managed a successful Yamaha factory team to three British Superbike Championship titles and started a truck-racing career, becoming the most successful truck racer ever. He also proved to be a natural commentator, first for BBC radio, then transferring to television with Sky, ITV and Eurosport.

Against this backdrop are Steve's notorious posing as a medical doctor to allow John Hopkins to fly from Japan to the Australian GP; impersonating Barry Sheene in a qualifying session; owning a fire engine, a hearse, and an ambulance - parking it on double yellow lines with the doors open in visits to his local bank.

It's a funny, hell-raising account of life - and death - in the fast lane that will keep readers enthralled to the end. Barry Sheene's final words to his best friend sum it 'Neither of us will die wondering.'

Genres: Autobiography

240 pages, Hardcover

Published July 24, 2018

Reviews

[Simon Wardell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my life as a racer more my life as a prankster. I used to like Stavros before reading this book, but he sounds like an absolute pain in the arse tbh.

[James Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, enjoyable read. Well-written with some great, funny tales paired with some honest self-reflection and poignant moments. Getting the jumbled tales of an old bike racer down into a coherent structure can’t be an easy task but Matt Roberts did very well, and clearly Steve was able to articulate his stories well enough that there’s detail without it being rambling or disjointed. I grew up with Steve on TV doing WSB, MotoGP and TT commentary so reading the behind the scenes shenanigans from those times was a highlight for me.

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone else said here I used to like Stavros too, but yes he sounds like a bit of a dick still stuck in the non-PC 70s and still thinking that’s ok.
I’m not even sure the “jokes” or “pranks” were all that funny either...

[Shane Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts a 5... by the end I was fed up with his "pranks" and I wasn't even living through them.

Entertaining book, in the end I think less of the guy. But I really enjoyed his stories racing and living alongside Barry Sheene. Worth the read.

[Andrew Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and witty account of SteveParrish’s time in the racing world

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the funnier books I've ever read. What a life Stavros has led and continues to lead. Highly-entertaining stuff.

[MARTIN FOWLER · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but spoiled by Steve's continual reference to his practical jokes some of which I found not funny and offensive.professional racer or cruel joker.

[Sean Rima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst Steve comes across as a bit of a twit with all his practical and some stupid pranks, it also shows the real man. At first I felt there was too much about the pranks and not enough about the racing but as I got deeper and deeper into the book, it soon became apparent that the pranks were part and parcel of his life and career.
A fantastic read with plenty of laughs, and the great respect, affection and love he has for the great Barry Sheene who played such a great part in his life.
I was always a fan of Steve's and this book has cemented this. How his poor wife puts up with his pranks, we may never know but it is whom he is.
Very few books I have read from cover to cover without a break, but this is one.

[June Perfect · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charmed life

I found this a very funny read without all the boring stat's. Informative , honest and an insight into the racing and media world.

[Shirley Pinkerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this , a quick glimpse into the life of Stavros , found it hilarious and loads of fun. Poor Michelle 😂

[Helen Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny and honest biography, learned lots I did know about Steve and certainly wouldn’t want to be the stooge for any of his pranks!!!!