Back in the 1970’s and 80’s though Harvey was a full-time Motocross racer, finishing on the 125cc podium on the odd occasion and ending the 1976 World 125cc Championship in fifth position. He also rode for his country in the 1983 Motocross des Nations.

We decided to sit down with the veteran of 50 years in the sport and ask him about the moment he was involved in the Motocross des Nations.

MXlarge: So Roger, why did you get picked for the British Team?

Harvey: I was riding okay I guess, I was one of the reliable ones. There were young guys and I was more experienced. I was picked on the 250’s for the British Team. It was a great experience and to ride for your country, it’s very special and to be able to say you actually did it all these years later. Everyone wants to be on that team and you are pretty proud to be part of it and then to be in with those younger guys. They youngsters were experienced in Grand Prix, but not in team events.

MXlarge: How did that weekend go for you and the British Team?

Harvey: I remember at the Trophy des Nations in the 250’s and Dave (Thorpe) and I was were sitting on the hillside at the race and I think it was Dave (Watson) and Jeremy (Whatley) went out first. They had to get us qualified and we were watching. Thorpey was also expecting his first child and his mind was somewhere else. I said to Thorpey these young guys will get us in no worries. They came off the start and they didn’t get such a good start, and then I turned to Thorpey and said we have to get us qualified through now.

MXlarge: How did your qualification race go?

Harvey: So we went out and got a good start, I got a cracking start, which was good and I was up there with the fast guys, the Grand Prix guys. Thorpey came past and we qualified through comfortably.

MXlarge: From memory you had a bit of a battle with American legend Broc Glover, is that true?

Harvey: I remember Broc Glover and his full factory Yamaha. I had pretty much a stock Yamaha and he had this full, full factory bike. We were in Belgium and it was raining and it got really slippery and the circuit was pretty rocky, so it was real hard work. I could see this factory Yamaha in front of me and I said I got to get to him. I eventually passed him and beat him, so that was very satisfactory. Broc Glover would never know about it and to me, but for me it was something special.

MXlarge: American were in the start of their amazing run of success at the event or not?

Harvey: American’s then were different. They were special guys, it’s not like we had the internet and stuff like that, and these were guys who came from another World to race us. We read about them in Motocross Action and that, and these guys were heroes. It was one of the good times in my career, but to be honest my career was pretty enjoyable all the way through.