The story of a 4x World Superbike Champion | Carl Fogarty | The Tyrrell Shed Interviews
In a sprawling, candid interview at the Tyrrell Shed during the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Fogarty dives deep into his journey: from a backyard crash with a homemade mini-bike to the heights of global motorsport and his unique, often uncompromising, outlook on victory and legacy.
A Childhood Steeped in Motorcycles
Fogarty’s earliest memories are soaked in petrol and race noise. Growing up, his father—himself a racer—exposed young Carl to the sights, smells, and camaraderie of the paddock. The pivotal moment came at age nine or ten, when he received a handmade Honda mini-bike for his birthday. That first try ended badly, with the throttle stuck wide open and young Carl flying straight into a plant pot. Yet, far from being discouraged, Fogarty caught the racing bug instantly. His childhood felt destined for two wheels: every family trip was structured around racetracks like Cadwell Park and Brands Hatch. Looking back, he’s convinced that growing up immersed in racing set his ambitions from the very start—he was always going to race and always wanted to reach the top.
Early Success on the Isle of Man TT
By his late teens, Fogarty had his sights set on one of motorsport’s most formidable challenges: the Isle of Man TT. With family connections to the event—his father raced there for years—the TT felt like both a rite of passage and a proving ground. His debut, set against the daunting drop down Bray Hill, was a blend of nerves and excitement—a baptism by speed and risk.
Despite the fearlessness required, Fogarty insists he never really felt the dangers in those early years. “I was that young and hungry to win that I didn’t really see the danger…it was just my mindset,” he recalls. The TT, in his words, is “the purest form of motorcycle racing.” The first win, following a nail-biting duel against the fastest riders of the era, arrived in 1989: a gutsy ride that required racecraft, bravery, and every ounce of determination to snatch victory on the last lap.
Setbacks, Recovery, and the Move to Superbikes
After initial TT triumphs, Fogarty made the transition to short-circuit and Grand Prix racing. Yet his path wasn’t smooth: a series of leg-breaking crashes in the late ‘80s derailed his Grand Prix aspirations and left his career at a crossroads. “For a year or two, I was in the wilderness with injuries to my right leg,” he admits, forced to re-evaluate his trajectory after doctors questioned whether he would ever return to competition. But his resolve never wavered—retirement wasn’t considered. “I’ve not been world champion yet,” he would tell himself, convinced his destiny was unfinished.
The adversity turned out to be a blessing in disguise: switching from nimble 250cc machines to big, powerful Superbikes suited his style and physical condition. In 1988, he became the TT F1 World Champion and picked up big wins in the Ulster Grand Prix and other internationals, finally finding a platform where his competitive drive and raw speed could fully shine.
World Superbikes and the Ducati Era
Fogarty’s partnership with Ducati in WSBK turned him into a global superstar. The Italian V-twin, combined with Fogarty’s uncompromising racing attitude, became an unstoppable force. Between 1994 and 1999, Fogarty claimed 55 WSBK race victories and four championships—still a record for a British rider. His riding was aggressive, his on-track duels became legendary, and his “win or else” mentality made every race he entered must-watch TV.
His rivalry with Troy Corser lit up the mid-90s, and his fearless riding style was matched only by his straight-talking honesty in interviews. Fogarty didn’t play to the gallery or dodge difficult subjects; he was blunt, demanding of himself and others, and, above all, utterly focused on winning. Under his influence, British interest in Superbike racing soared—once a back-page afterthought, WSBK races started drawing prime-time coverage and swelling crowds.
The Mentality of a Champion
What set Fogarty apart wasn’t just pace, but an intense, almost single-minded hunger for winning. He admits he was rarely the most naturally gifted or technically delicate rider in the field—his genius was mental: the ability to withstand pressure, ignore pain, and seize crucial victories in the toughest conditions. For Fogarty, close racing on dangerous roads or dogfights on Superbike circuits brought out his best.
He describes racing at the TT as a thrill beyond compare: “The closest you are to death is the most you feel alive.” But after conquering the island, he smartly set his sights on the world championship circuit—always moving forward, never standing still.
Legacy and Life After Racing
Fogarty’s career ended as uncompromisingly as it began, with a major crash in 2000 finally forcing him out of the sport. But his impact endures—he remains the benchmark for British Superbike riders, still a beloved public figure, and, in his own words, “just a lad from Blackburn who wanted to win.” Honoured at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed and celebrated as a transformative figure in motorcycle sport, Carl Fogarty’s story stands as one of fierce ambition, resilience through adversity, and the relentless pursuit of triumph—qualities that continue to inspire a new generation of racers.