Local Heroes

A fan’s favourite, Carl Fogarty started racing Superbikes in 1991 and landed the first of his four world titles in 1994. After injury forced him to give up racing he went into managing his own team Foggy Petronas Racing, which was based in Burton-on-Trent.

“All I ever wanted to do as a kid was race bikes and be world champion and, thankfully, it came true for me”

In all, he took part in more than 200 races before being he had to retire in 2000 after being involved in a crash – just a year after his last title.

And when asked which of his achievements meant the most to him, “Foggy” plumps for the first time he won the Superbike World Title

“Obviously winning the world title was the pinnacle, and I think probably the first one just shades it. When you win your first one of anything I guess it’s that little bit more special.”

Foggy focuses on the finish line (Getty)

“No matter what happens after that, that can’t be taken away from you. I think winning the first one in the circumstances in Australia in 1994 was very emotional”

In fact that first world title in 1994 went down to the wire, going into the last race

“Ideally I’d have loved to have won it earlier and have no pressure but, looking back, for people watching, on TV, the crowd and everything, you always want it to be down to the last round, to the last lap, last corner and it was pretty much down to that – to cross the line, knowing you were world champion, there’s no better feeling to be honest.”

"Never say never. I'd certainly consider managing a team in Britain - I'm not into travelling around the world anymore - been there, done that. But running a British Superbike race team would appeal to me if it was the right bike and the right sponsor."