We've always been fans of Duke Marketing and their motorsports videos, the Isle of man company being, as motorsport fans the world over will tell you, the premier company for motorsport videos in the world. Their vast catalogue covers just about every possible aspect of two and four wheeled motorsport, including classical material previously only available on cine film!

Never keen to rely on the past, Duke has pioneered the making of many new titles to add to their historic list of films they transferred to videotape. Now as you would expect they are moving with the times and transposing some of their best titles as well as putting their new ones onto DVD.

This new format does of course mean that they take up less space and also gives them the chance to add even more action to the various products. Not only that but they are now diversifying into extreme sports as well as marketing top quality motoring books as well.

TT 2005 – The big picture

Duke marketing have as ever produced an excellent three hour review of the Isle of Man TT races. In a year that saw dramatic changes to the race programme and classes, new outright lap records, class records etc it is an almost must have.

Now the format has moved to DVD you can easily afford to build up an historic collection of historic races covered from literally every angle.

Modern technology and cameras give you a complete breakdown of what it is like to ride the course and where the best spectating areas are.

With a lap being 37¾ miles long, even if you were there this DVD will enable you see the action you missed and relive it and the associated memories. All for £19.99

So this is Yorkshire!

This is a compilation of early black and white films from the 1950’s made by C.H.Wood who were the premier motorsport film makers of their day.

They were used by al the motorcycle factories not only to record their sporting prowess, but also to make publicity and promotional films. As a result they have a superb historical collection of footage which really charts the British motorcycle industry in its heyday.

This DVD is full of the gritty world of trials riding and scrambles. Heavy bikes, heavy going and heavy cameras, but the action is all there in abundance. An excellent DVD for those into nostalgia and for those who want to see how much bikes have evolved!

Rocket Man

This is the story of Ron Haslam, father of current Ducati star Leon Haslam. A superb development rider who rose from the privateer ranks to become a respected factory rider. Although never a world champion he won the TT on several occasions and was well placed in the 500 GP championships riding a variety of machines.

On retirement he became a manager and sponsor and now runs race schools at Donington. We previewed this in video format and now it has moved across to DVD. Well worth watching.

Craig Jones

Craig Jones is not your average bike rider he is a stunt rider. He can be credited with making the whole stunt scene professional. This DVD takes two of his films and shows his world record stoppie, footage from the world stunt championships and also footage from the big screen where he has performed the stunts in a number of Hollywood blockbusters.

Jones makes it all look easy and covers every trick in the book plus a few more. Good entertainment for all and an hour’s lesson in extreme machine control for the motorcyclist in the family!

Bike Havoc

Havocs have always been a best seller, because people love to watch crashes when they know that nobody gets seriously hurt. Duke have taken 160 frenzied incidents form all forms of two wheeled motorsport and crammed the lot into an hour long DVD that will have you alternating between feeling the bumps and bruises yourself to crying with laughter!

As always great entertainment and good to amuse visitors who may not even be two-wheeled fans!

North West 200

The yearly coverage of the Irish road race that precedes the Isle of man TT each year. Just as spectacular, with riders coming within inches of solid brick walls and roadside furniture, it keeps you on the edge of your seat for 100 minutes.

Apart from the racing coverage there are rider interviews, on board laps and some impressive camera angles on the action.

Good road racing action and a real change from circuit racing which can be found on any TV most weekends!

TT 04

Nearly four hours of adrenalin soaked coverage from this years TT and just right to follow on with after watching the above tape. Greenlight have now got coverage down to a fine art and use many different camera angles and locations to keep you from getting board.

Apart from the usual on board camera shots they have no managed to incorporate and on screen display which shows the angle of lean s as well as the exact location on the course! Interviews, happenings, it is all there and if you missed it you can catch up courtesy of this comprehensive review of the 2004 TT races.

TT – A Film Documentary

This is not a history, but a real insight into why riders and spectators make the yearly crossing of the Irish sea for the greatest road races on the planet. Filmed at the 2003 event it gives a new perspective on the two week festival that still attracts riders willing to ride despite the acknowledged dangers.

If you don’t understand why they do it, watch this and maybe you may have some idea at the end of the 83 minutes. Warning! You could be booking a ferry shortly after viewing!

All of the above are available from all good bookshops and many motorcycle dealers. However, in case of difficulty you ca buy them direct from Duke. Why not ring Duke direct on 01624 640000 and order a copy of their extensive Powersports catalogue or shop on the web at www.dukevideo.com.

We will be reviewing more DVD titles in future editions as they come out. Watch this space for the best in motorpsort entertainment!

Ian Kerr