Derek Minter: King of Brands

Mick Walker

Derek Minter started his racing career in 1953 on a BSA Gold Star. His early promise as an inexperienced youngster was very quickly fulfilled. After transferring to a couple of Nortons, he soon became ‘King of Brands’, succeeding the famous John Surtees. After becoming double British Champion in 1958, two years later he became the first man to lap the Isle of Man TT circuit at over 100mph on a single-cylinder bike. During 1962 he not only became triple British Champion, but he also won the 250cc TT on a privately entered Honda – beating the might of the Honda works team in the process. Then in 1963 he rode for the Geoff Duke Scuderia Gilera squad and only a crash early in the season prevented him from seriously challenging World Champion Mike Hailwood for the 500cc title. By 1965 he held the lap record for virtually every British short circuit, and by the time he retired at the end of 1967 he had ridden for many manufacturers, including MZ, Moto Morini, Bianchi, REG, EMC, Honda and Norton.
Derek Minter: King of Brands is a fitting tribute to one of the world’s greatest-ever motorcycle racing stars.

April 2008 • £19.99 • HB • 240pp
260 x 195mm • 200 illus.
ISBN 978 1 85983 601 9

About the Author

Mick Walker is a leading authority on all forms of motorcycle sport, and he has written about most of them. He has been a successful racer, tuner and team manager. He has been involved in virtually every aspect of the motorcycle business, and he still rides regularly. Between 1983 and 1987 he was editor of Motorcycle Enthusiast and in 1985 his first book was published. Since then he has published over 100 titles, covering motorcycles from many countries, in particular Ducati, Norton, Triumph and BMW. Mick Walker has an intimate and unparalleled knowledge of the racing scene and the evolution of the racing motorcycle over the last 50 years.