1948-2025
Malcolm Wheeler, former Isle of Man TT racer and associate director of Mortons Media Group, died on 10 September aged 77.
The thrill and excitement of road racing were deeply ingrained in Malcolm. His enthusiasm for racing and motorcycles in general provided the bedrock for his years as a key player in steering Mortons to a position of eminence in the world of motorcycle publishing, exhibitions and autojumbles.
Born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Malcolm became a panel beater/sprayer after leaving school. In 1976, he joined Freddie Frith Motorcycles in Grimsby as a salesman. Frith, the inaugural 350cc world champion (1949) and five-time TT winner, was a role model. Malcolm later joined dealer RA Wilson of Louth, followed by Ducati importer Moto Cinelli (1990-1992) as dealer development manager and UK race team manager with riders Carl Fogarty and Michael Rutter.
Wheeler road raced from 1973 to 1990, taking on the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course from 1974 and scoring three TT podium places. Two were seconds (1986 and 1987 Production). His TT dedication resulted in him being made TT Riders Association president for 2014. He created a new annual magazine, Island Racer, devoted to the TT. “The greatest race on earth,” was how he referred to the TT.
In 1992, he was invited to edit Old Bike Mart, the first motorcycle title acquired by printer-publisher Mortons of Horncastle, Lincolnshire. In effect, he became Mortons’ motorcycle business champion. There followed a whirlwind of title and event acquisition, development, and creation, which would lead to a portfolio of 14 motorcycle and scooter magazines and major shows, including the two annual world-leading Stafford Classic Shows, the Bristol Show, and the Classic Off-road Show at Telford, Shropshire.
Autojumble acquisitions included leading fixtures at Kempton, Newark and Netley Marsh. In a bustling and buoyant motorcycle scene, Mortons was at one time almost averaging one event a week.
A key acquisition was The Classic MotorCycle monthly magazine in 1998, along with its extensive archive dating from the early years of motorcycle publishing.
In 2012, Wheeler was also a key player in the Mortons team that acquired the International Dirt Bike Show, thus moving into the modern motorcycle show scene for the first time. Until then, the motorcycle print and show strengths at Mortons were classic-based. The addition of the dirt show established Mortons as a leading events organiser in the motorcycle world.
Wheeler’s eye for opportunity and his extensive contact network were pivotal in the company’s rise to all-but pre-eminence in print and on the ground in the motorcycle world. He loved being involved, signing up international star guests for the Stafford shows, and generally making things happen. His ready smile and easy but determined nature scored results. He was a team player, and his grounding in bike showrooms schooled him in dealing with people from all walks of life. He could smell a sale and clinch a deal.
He was promoted to Mortons publishing director in 1999, later associate director, overseeing all 24 of Mortons’ various titles, the lion’s share devoted to motorcycles and scooters. In his final years with Mortons, he took on the editorship of Classic Racer, a role for which he was ideally suited. He retired in 2016 but continued to be involved as a columnist and adviser until cancer curtailed his activities.
Malcolm Wheeler leaves wife Julie who he married in 1969. A celebration of life gathering was held on 10 October at his local track, Cadwell Park, where his ashes were scattered.