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Book Review: “Moon Eyes – The John Cooper story”

Nigel Devereux
July 12, 2019

Road racing legend, Grand Prix hero, motorcycling icon
Editor: Richard Skelton
Author and interviewer: Chris Carter, with contributions byColin Seeley, Peter Williams,Sir Robin Miller, contemporary riders and associates.
Foreword: Mike Trimby
Published by: Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6JR
www.classicmagazines.co.uk/thebookshelf
Tel: 01507 529529
ISBN: 978-1-911276-95-1
£6.99

The 1960s was a great period for road racing, with meetings on virtually every weekend and lots of good riders all capable of beating each other – indeed, you never knew who was going to win from one weekend to the next.

But one rider who was exceptional, with his knee-out riding style and red ‘Moon Eyes’ helmet, was Derbyshire’s John Cooper.

Born in 1938, Cooper pursued his dream of two-wheeled triumph by first of all riding in trials and the occasional scramble on his 200cc James.

By the age of 17, he had won his first-ever road race on the suitably converted James, at the Osmarston Manor circuit.

Working in the motorcycle trade, after National Service, he was loaned a BSA Gold Star and various Nortons, before becoming a true privateer.

Read more in the August 2019 issue of TCM – on sale now!

About the Author

Nigel Devereux

Nigel Devereux is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln, working in the School of English and Journalism. He has worked within the print publishing industry for 38 years. Nigel was editor of his hometown newspaper - The Horncastle News - from 1998-2001. Nigel is currently the Production Editor on The Railway Magazine, the UK’s biggest selling magazine for railway enthusiasts. He is also responsible for maintaining and updating several websites across the Mortons portfolio. 01507 529529 | NDevereux@Mortons.co.uk

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