Inscribed on the gravestone of David Jefferies is: ‘Those who risk nothing do nothing, achieve nothing, become nothing’. David Jefferies was the undisputed master of the most dangerous race course in the world – the Isle of Man TT. The affable Yorkshireman was the first man to lap the course at an average speed of 125mph and, in a brief but meteoric career, became the only man to win three TTs each year for three consecutive years. Yet ‘DJ’ never let this success go to his head. He was one of the most popular and down-to-earth riders in the British racing paddock.

DJ came from a hugely successful racing family. His grandfather was a pre-war trials legend, and both his father Tony and Uncle Nick were brilliant racers in their own right, although Tony’s career was cut tragically short when he was paralysed following a crash in 1973. DJ’s own varied career encompassed spells in Grands Prix, World Superbikes and the British Superbike championship. He was also four-times British Production racing champion, but it was on the roads that he truly flourished. Multiple wins at the North West 200, the Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix, as well as the TT, cemented his legendary status as the greatest pure road racer of the modern era.

But the sport that gave David Jefferies so much finally exacted the ultimate price in return. On 29 May 2003 he lost his life in a high speed crash during practice for the TT.

Now, six years after his death, David Jefferies: The Official Biography tells DJ’s full story for the first time. Illustrated with pictures from the Jefferies family archive, and with contributions from family, friends, racing rivals and team bosses – as well as interviews with DJ himself, published here for the first time – it celebrates the short but triumphant life of a man who risked everything to achieve glory.

Author Stuart Barker, a former feature writer and road tester at Motor Cycle News, went freelance in 2001, writing articles for many publications including MCN, Two Wheels Only, Superbike, Classic Bike and FHM. This is his sixth book. He has also written biographies on Niall Mackenzie, Steve Hislop, Barry Sheene and Evel Knievel. His TT Century: 100 Years of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was nominated in the ‘Best Illustrated Title’ category in the 2008 British Sports Books awards.Stuart lives in Kettering, Northants.