This is an award winning film of three rounds of the 1976 500cc motor cycle world championship series made by C.H. Wood of Bradford.  It features the top riders, Barry Sheene, Phil Read and Giacomo Agostini. This Castrol film was awarded the Grand Prix of the city of Bologna (for the best professional film) in the Festival Internationale DEL Film |Motoristico 4 to 12 December, 1976. Castrol Present – Focus 500 The film begins with a view over the Tuscany village of Mugello, where the Italian...

This is an award winning film of three rounds of the 1976 500cc motor cycle world championship series made by C.H. Wood of Bradford.  It features the top riders, Barry Sheene, Phil Read and Giacomo Agostini. This Castrol film was awarded the Grand Prix of the city of Bologna (for the best professional film) in the Festival Internationale DEL Film |Motoristico 4 to 12 December, 1976. Castrol Present – Focus 500 The film begins with a view over the Tuscany village of Mugello, where the Italian Grand Prix is taking place.  Bikers ride down a crowded shopping street, with the locals looking on. The motorbike spectators hand over the tickets as they go in, while Barrie Sheene talks with Phil Reed in the pits. Some riders have a practice ride around the circuit, and Phil Reed speaks to the camera about being independent, followed by Australian Jack Findley and the French Olivier Chevallier explaining why they ride. Charles Mortimer discusses the advantage of the course design, with many bends, for continental riders.  Johnny Cecotto and Barrie Sheene discuss their hopes, with Barrie Sheene doing some translating. There follows a section looking at the “girls”, that is young women, at the circuit, often focusing on those in minimal dress.  Ulsterman Tom Heron discusses tyre technology.  Agostini explains his switch to Suzuki.  Barrie Sheene gives his wife a kiss before the race.  There are shots of the crowd as the riders do a warm up lap.  It appears that Chianti is being used to top up Agostini’s fuel tank. The riders set off and some of the race is shown, along with shots of the crowd, with Agostini and Sheene pulling out in front, but soon joined by Reed.  Reed and Sheene pass Agostini on lap 8, and Agostini has to pull out with bike trouble.  It’s a battle between the two Englishmen, swapping the lead, with Sheene just edging it on the line by 1/10th of a second.  Sheene is delighted at the end and receives four different trophies as he stands on the podium. Next to the Dutch TT at Asam, where dozens of bikers gather.  The bike park is full of bikes.  Phil Reed meets a young fan in the paddock, and other local riders are shown. Will Hartock is first to depart when the race gets underway and holds the lead with Sheene in second place.  Reed has to retire and Sheene closes in on Hartock, taking the lead.  Agostini works his way through the field and takes second spot.  As it gets towards the finish one of Agostini’s pistons blows, and Sheene triumphantly crosses the line first, Hartock coming third.  As he comes to a stop Sheene gets a drink of water, gets a wipe down and takes off his leather and pours a bucket of water over himself in the scorching heat. His wife greets him with a kiss.  He puts on some cut down jeans and takes his father’s tee shirt. He gets up on the platform to wave to the crowd, having a wreath put around his neck, and is joined by Hartock. In West Germany, a couple of engineers discuss their relationship with the riders.  Phil Reed explains why he isn’t riding.  Barrie Sheene does likewise, as he arrives at his home in Cambridgeshire in his Rolls Royce, and they both give their views on who they think might win it.  The riders are shown on the starting grid before the race.  They get underway and some of the race is shown, with Agostini leading throughout.  Two riders come off, followed by Dieter Brown.  But Agostini comes in first and after the race is embraced by family and friends, and is presented with a pig. Next to the Dutch TT in Assen in 1977. We hear from the fans, watch practice in the rain and experience the drama of the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc GPs. The film focuses on privateers Tom Herron and Kork Ballington, with Herron’s views on race safety. Castrol Executive in charge of production Derek C Guy A C H Wood Production. Director: David Wood Production Company: C.H. Wood (Bradford) Sponsor: Castrol Ltd. Photography: Steve Binns, Terence Bulley, Peter Mackay Music: Richard Harding Sound: Mike Wilson