Sheene's number to be retired in honour.

Barry Sheene will be paid another compliment by the premier British motorcycle championships when the organisers of the national Superbike series and its supporting classes 'retire' his number seven from active service.

Sheene succumbed to throat and stomach cancer two weeks ago, and has already been paid a number of tributes, including having the new Dingle Dell section of Brands Hatch and the Lennox cup event at Goodwood's Revival meeting named after him. Now, in line with regular American sporting practice of honouring legends, the double world 500cc champion's number seven plate is to be retired with immediate effect.

Sheene, who lived in Australia as a result of the British weather playing havoc with his old riding injuries, will be remembered at the next round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island this weekend, as British riders Neil Hodgson, Chris Walker, James Toseland and James Haydon wear black armbands throughout the event. WSB bosses are also planning to donate $5000 to the Australian Cancer Research campaign in his memory.