Space Riders is a 1984 British sports drama film directed by Joe Massot. It stars Grand Prix motorcycle racing world champion Barry Sheene as himself. It tells the story of Sheene's pursuit of the world title, including his recovery from a near-fatal accident at Silverstone.
Plot
The film begins with Barry having a bad crash during the 1982 British Grand Prix. Suzuki rider Anton Mang crashes and Barry crashes into his bike. Barry is then hit by Honda rider Takazumi Katayama. One year later, chairman Asama Nakamura of Asama Motorbikes decides to hire the three fastest riders in the world to race for them. He ends up hiring Barry, who now has metal pins in his legs, American Ron Harris, who won the '82 title after Barry crashed, and Japanese rider Masao Yamashta.
Leading up to the race, Masao practices Japanese stick fighting and talks to his wife Mika. Ron rides on his 1983 Honda VF750F and meets a girl driving a 1978 Porsche 911 SC Targa. The two end up dating for about a week until she friend zones him. Some time later, the British Grand Prix begins and Barry ends up winning ahead of Ron and his archenemy Mike Lockwood. Soon the sidecar race begins, and Mika and her passenger Bruce win. Some time later, the South African Grand Prix begins. Masao wins ahead of Lockwood and Ron, with Barry dropping out after his bike has ignition trouble. As time passes, Barry wins Brazil, Ron wins Spain and Daytona, Lockwood wins Germany, Masao wins France, Ron wins the Dutch Grand Prix, Lockwood beats Masao in a photo finish at Sweden after Barry drops out after his transmission seizes, and Lockwood wins at Italy after Barry crashes.
Masao finds out there will only be two bikes for next season. In a desperate attempt to renew his contract, he wins Argentina and Venezuela. Masao takes the lead in Yugoslavia until he has visions of the devil on Lockwood's bike. His life flashes before his eyes, causing him to become airborne and his bike to explode. He goes flying through the air on fire and dies. After his wife Mika deals with the crash by doing wheelies up and down the pit lane while sobbing uncontrollably, the San Marino Grand Prix begins. Barry wins with Ron second and Lockwood dropping out after his bike throws a connecting rod. Barry and Ron celebrate on the podium drinking champagne, and Barry is interviewed about his win by ABC Sports.
Cast
Barry Sheene as himself
Gavan O'Herlihy as Ron Harris
Toshiya Ito as Masao Yamashta
Stephanie McLean as Stephanie
Sayo Inaba as Mika Yamashta
Caroline Evans as Joanne
Jeff Harding as Mike Lockwood
Marina Sirtis as Girl in Porsche
Hiroshi Kato as Chairman
Three Japanese executives
Akira
Isamu
Sakamoto
Two Japanese secretaries
Maria
Yuriko
Nightclub fight scene singers
Geraldine
Maureen
Teresa
Steve Parrish as Devil Rider
Ken Fletcher as Barry's mechanic
Andrew Marriot as Commentator
Roald Knutsen as Kendo Master
Stunt riders
Stu Avant
Wayne Gardner
Chris Guy
Ron Haslam
Steve Henshaw
Keith Huewen
Paul Lewis
Rob McElnea
Roger Marshall
Steve Parrish
Mark Salle
Franco Uncini
Boet van Dulmen
Loris Reggiani
Freddie Spencer
Marco Lucchinelli
Takazumi Katayama
Kenny Roberts
Carlos Lavado
Eddie Lawson
Randy Mamola
Anton Mang
Barry Sheene
Terry Haslam (Bruce)
Production
A re-enactment of the accident is the opening scene of the movie. Despite his position atop the marquee, Sheene does not appear in about 80% of the film's footage.
Much of the filming of the race sequences with Barry Sheene took place at Donington Park race circuit close to East Midlands Airport. Many of the stunts were arranged by Stunt coordinator Roy Alon.
Soundtrack
The film uses hit songs from the era as narration; songs such as "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen, "Glittering Prize" by Simple Minds, "Hungry Like the Wolf" by Duran Duran, "Love Comin' At Ya" by Melba Moore, "Outside" by The Fixx, "Reggae High" by The Dub Band, and "We Can Work It Out" by Brass Construction are used to add to the mood.
Home media
Space Riders was released on VHS. As of 2023, it has not been released on DVD or Blu-ray.