Three more legendary figures from the world of motorsport will be celebrated by a trio of famous faces in the second series of BBC Two’s Racing Legends.
Following three high-profile motoring enthusiasts as they retrace the steps of three Great British motor racing figures, the latest series Racing Legends will feature in-depth profiles of the lives of John Surtees, Barry Sheene and Graham Hill.
Through a combination of revealing interviews with family and friends and fascinating archive footage, each celebrity will pay tribute to the racing legend by learning what made them great by spending time with them and the people who knew them best.
By charting the highs and lows, the victories and the near-death experiences, the enthusiasts will discover what it took to succeed in a dangerous era of motorsport.
In each hour-long episode, they’ll learn about the vehicles they drove/rode, the engineering they employed and try to understand what put them in pole position.
Their ultimate mission is to emulate the legend by re-enacting one of their greatest-ever races in a rare classic car or bike.
With the original team of mechanics re-assembled, and the racetracks re-opened, this is the enthusiasts’ opportunity to remind the world just how special the racing legend really was.
The second instalment of Racing Legends follows on from the successful first series which aired on BBC Two over the winter of 2012/13, a run which featured profiles on Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Colin McRae.
The first episode of the second series, airing on December 28 at 9.05pm on BBC Two, sees comedian Jim Moir, best known to millions as Vic Reeves, tell the life story of the iconic 1970s motorcycle world champion Barry Sheene.
Riding the bikes that are part of the Sheene legend, Moir tells how the London-born rider rose to the top of his sport and also became a hugely popular public figure, transcending the world of bike racing.
As well as taking to the track himself, Moir meets members of Sheene’s family, close friends and rivals.
Packed with rare archive and home-movie footage, the programme gives an intimate and enthralling portrait of a man who lived life at full-throttle, and who, in his career, survived more than one hair-raising crash.
Episode two of the series features actor Jeremy Irons’ profile of the two-time Formula 1 world champion Graham Hill, which sees him drives the cars that are part of the Hill legend.
Irons tells the story of how Hill rose to the top of his sport and also became a hugely popular and charismatic public figure.
Along the way, Irons meets members of Hill’s family, close friends and rivals -and gets a driving master class from Hill’s son Damon.
The third and final episode of the second series (transmission date TBC) sees celebrity chef Paul Hollywood profile John Surtees, the only man to win world championship titles on two and four wheels.
For more information about the series, including video clips and picture galleries, visit the official BBC website.
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Sunday 28th September
Racing Legends: Barry Sheene
9.05pm-10.05pm BBC Two
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Sunday 4th January
Racing Legends: Graham Hill
9.00pm-10.00pm BBC Two
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Sunday 11th January
Racing Legends: John Surtees
9.00pm-10.00pm BBC Two
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