A top national and international racer in the 60s, Steve rode 50s for the Bridgstone factory but was heavily involved with Honda RSC through his employer Bill Smith Motors of Chester.
Steve was responsible along with Mr Matsuda (the designer of the CB750 motor) for building and testing the 69 Bol-d-or race wining CB750.
Steve was selected along with Bill Smith, Tommy Robb and Ralph Bryan's to head Honda's assault on the 1970 Daytona race before politics brought eventual winner Dick Mann into the team, it was Steve's place that Dick took relegating Steve to first reserve.
I've known Steve for quite a few years through our love affair with Honda CB92s, another bike that Steve took to many wins in the early 60s.
Steve had heard through the grapevine that I was racing Simon#42s CB750 in the Aintree sprint tomorrow and phoned me to ask if I needed a spanner man, I didn't have the heart to tell him that I wasn't taking any tools.
Andy (maxmph) will also be there, so if you're in the area, look in on us, we just need it to stop raining now.
Sam.