Sheene, king of the fast lane, dies at 52

As far as epitaphs go, it will take some beating. "Barry Sheene," said Carl Fogarty "was the guy who made motorbike racing famous."

Sheene, whose indomitable spirit was with him to the end, died in Australia yesterday seven months after being told he had cancer of the throat and stomach. He was 52.

The 500cc world champion in 1976 and 1977, the London-born Sheene was just as famous for his playboy lifestyle as his racing. His wife, Stephanie, who he met outside a nightclub, is a former Bunny girl and model.

Sheene, whose father was a grand prix motorcycle mechanic, not only won back-to-back world titles. He also won more races than any other rider between 1975 and 1982.

After retiring in 1985 following a 15-year career, he moved to Queensland's Gold Coast to help ease the pain of arthritis brought on by numerous broken bones. His most serious crash came during a British Grand Prix practice session at Silverstone in 1982, which resulted in surgeons rebuilding his shattered legs using metal plates and 27 screws. The X-ray of the surgeons' work became one of sport's most famous images.

Sheene, whose final public appearance in this country was at the Goodwood Revival meeting last September, was due to be the grand marshal at Sunday's Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, but was too ill to travel.

"I'm not going to let cancer get in the way of me enjoying myself," was his response after a visit to the doctor last July for what he thought was a sore throat. He refused invasive treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery and chose alternative methods, including special diets and radiowave therapy. Last month, after the radiowave treatment had failed, he said: "I've always been optimistic and I still am. There are other things I can try."

Fogarty, Britain's four-times World Superbike champion, said: "He packed more into his 52 years than most people would have put into 100. He was the guy who made motorbike racing famous. There were other British world champions who achieved more on the track but he brought it to the public attention."

Sheene's great rival, the former triple 500cc world champion, Kenny Roberts, said: "Barry made me dig down deeper than I'd ever dug to win races. He pulled so much extra out of me."

Steve Parrish, Sheene's best friend and former Suzuki team-mate, said: "Barry will be missed by millions of bikers. If good wishes could have made Barry survive he'd be sitting on a boat with a gin and tonic in his hand now.

"He dragged motorcycle racing away from its black leather rocker image – people who looked like they'd grab your handbag – into a fun, bright sport. I knew this was coming but it doesn't soften the blow."

BARRY SHEENE THE LIFE AND TIMES

1950: Born 11 September, East London.

1968: Makes professional debut at 18, riding a 125cc Bultaco.

1970: Wins first major honour, the British 750cc title.

1973: Wins European 750cc title.

1975: Crashes at 175mph at Daytona, Florida. Breaks thigh, wrist and collar-bone. Back riding within six weeks.

1976: Win the first of his two 500cc World Championships for Suzuki.

1977: Successfully defends title.

1978: Awarded MBE.

1982: Crashes at Silverstone during practice. Surgeons rebuild legs using metal plates held together by 27 screws

1985: Struggles to find a bike capable of matching his talents and retires. Later moves to Australia and becomes motor racing television pundit.

2001: Inducted into Hall of Fame.

2002: Diagnosed with cancer of the throat and stomach. Vows to fight disease with unconventional methods. Dies 10 March 2003.