Ingliston 9 - 10 March
I decided not to show any bikes this year and only go as a "punter". On the Sunday we awoke to snow and glad my new bike had not been delivered in time. The show was nevertheless busy and we enjoyed it picking up a few bargains. None of the new models excited me very much. I saw the new BMW 650 roadster single in the metal and plastic for the first time. This only reinforced my opinion that for all it's innovation it is just plain pig ugly. Likewise I just could not get my head round the new Harley V-rod.
Guests of honour were Sammy Miller and Mick Grant who both brought some of their superb historic machinery. The "best in show" award for classic machinery went for the second year to an AJS and Matchless Club member although not this time for a bike of the marque. It was awarded to Eddie Penicuik for his truly superb Dominator 99.
SSDT pre '65 trial, 3 & 4 May
It was good to have this Highland Classic
back again after a year's break due to the Foot and Mouth disaster
and it was blessed once again by superb weather. Sometimes it is
difficult to concentrate on the bikes amid the fabulous scenery. The
ride up alone is worth it. This year there were 2 rigid Nortons and
for the first time in my memory a rigid AJS competing as well as at
least one rigid James. I really admire the guts of their riders.
Likewise the gallant Dutchman who finished the course on an 80cc
Kreidler. There were many continental entrants this year and many
great names from the past still competing at the highest level -
Barry Briggs, Eric Boocock, Mick Andrews, Arthur Lampkin and,
although not competing, Sammy Miller was watching.
I found it sad to look down off the Mamore ridge to see the empty space where the aluminium smelter used to stand at the back of Kinlochleven. It was never pretty but it was the only major industry and a large employer in the area. Another victim or our industrial decline. Is our whole country turning into a theme park?
Hero Classic Malts Rally 11 May
We went up to the Rest and be Thankful Hill Climb on the second day of this
rally. The selection of classic cars was awesome and they were being
driven hard. I saw my first Facel Vega V8 awesome as it slid through
the finish line in a shower of stones. My favourites were the big
Healeys including a full house works job and then there was a Gull
Wing Merc.
We sat perched on the wall by the finish line with a panoramic view down on the hill and to finish off the owner of the snack bar in the car park showed us some pictures taken of an event on this historic hill before WW I.
Kirkintilloch Agricultural Show 18 May
For a small local show this produced a remarkable turnout of quality cars. Mine was the only bike and it
disgraced itself by stopping twice on the short run with a blocked
fuel line. The events in the field, especially the horse jumping were
somewhat spoiled by steady drizzle on a cold day. I apologise that
the
is all four wheelers but they are rather nice examples
Ormesby Hall Sprint 26 May
This was my first speed event of the year. The entry was smaller than usual and despite the Middlesborough Club's excellent organisation we did not manage our 4th competitive run. There were heavy showers throughout the day. I was just getting into the swing of things when the special 17T sprocket I had spent a fair bit on getting made came apart. Happy Bunny, I was not. Still now I know I can swap my gearing between runs.
My time left me off the pace in my class although I got among some of the post war 250 times. Fastest time of the day was set by Dave Haywood on his Velo. The cut off date has been set back to 1965 as the later bikes were getting worryingly quick
Most spectacular were by Bill and Maggie
Tuer in their Morgan but they were beaten by the of Ranister and
Sanderson on their Triumph outfit, running under 16.5 secs. Outside
the hall there was a first class display of classic road machinery.
Ayr Classic Motorcycle Show, 16 June
This was the first time I had attended this excellent show. The entry was
first class and I was rather disappointed to realise I was short of
film in my camera. Despite indifferent weather, I enjoyed a ride own
to the show. I was delighted to see that at least one class winning
bike was also ridden in to the show.
Scarborough Bike Week: Bent Sprint 10 July, Hill Climb 11 July
The program was adjusted this year to
avoid us getting in the way of the serious racers coming into the
paddock on Friday. The atmosphere does not really "click"
during this week but the meeting is well run and it is great to get a
turn on this famous track. The G3 was flying and I was a little
closer to the pack than previously. We had a dry meeting apart from a
cloud burst over the lunch break at the hill climb. It was a occasion
for falling off. Simon Walker was off his Triton a couple of times on
his way to winning his class. A super mono got trashed and Adam Ward
rearranged his Guzzi which took some straightening out to run the
next day. We had to help Dave Coverdale load up his Velo/Ariel. He
had been flying until he managed to stop doing it metaphorically! He
is going to be sore for a while. For the sprint he had been running a
neat NSU. It was good to see a new young rider (and a lady at that)
out in the Classics, Angela Cragg on a Farrer Ducati. She was placed
in her class too.
British Grand Prix 12 - 14 July
After Scarborough we headed off to Donington to hear the new 4 strokes in practice. Organisation was a joke. How can you have to queue to get into practice? Then they ran out of tickets. My pal rode a 4 hour round trip to have to listen to the bikes from outside. The idiots would not even take his £5 and let him in!
Anyway the weather was better than forecast but both the Honda V5's had been binned that morning and were not out. Barros set an impressive fastest practice on the stroker Yam. In the race which I watched at home on the box Rossi was back to his winning ways, broken thumb and all. An impressive Nieto pipped Milandri in the 250 session, a potion reversed in 2nd practice and the race. Pogialli was fastest 125 but only finished 3rd in the race which Vincent won.
We left before the end of the Classic practice which I enjoyed best of all, shortly after Cronshaw laid his Norton down at Redgate to miss a fallen rider. Sheene impressed and won the Classic race the next day.
Baitings Dam 21 July
This was the first time I had visited this hill. It is a tight climb up the access road from the dam. The quick boys get up in under 30 sec. I took a shade over 40 sec. An interesting meeting run by a friendly club with a varied entry.
I struggled a bit as the Matchless is not the most chuckable of bikes. Its handling is slow and stable. Next time I think I will fit flat bars. John Woods had his Weslake in a smart new lowboy frame having recently totalled the Manx frame. He was pipped for fastest time by Jarrod Frost on his CCM with Jason Reeve and Steve Hoole third quickest with their 3 -wheeler.
Barbon Manor 27 July
For years I have "meant" to do Barbon. It used to clash with our main race meeting at Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy and then I was convinced it favoured true Vintage entries. Well, it does have an up to 1934 class for which the G3 is too modern but entries spread right up to date.
All events should be like this. It is held in the grounds of the estate adjacent to the beautiful village of Barbon. It is but a short crawl from the Barbon Inn with it'd good food, excellent beer and delightful bar maid. The climb is fast and challenging although a little slippery and the entry is top class. It was a real pleasure to sit and chat to arch Velo enthusiast Ivan Rhodes. Ivan left the famously fast KTT to his son Graham to ride (fastest Vintage at 30.43 sec) and took it "easy" on the ex-Hicks R10 AJS. "Easy" being only 5 sec quicker than me. I just failed to beat 40 sec.
Fastest time of the day was P Jeffrey (380 KTM) at 26.47 sec.
This event is a "must do" from now on.
Curborough Sprint, 28 July
I gave myself a really busy weekend by driving on to Curborough, near Lichfield. Again this was a first visit. The course rises and falls only slightly but has an interesting series of bends and a great surface.
It was the first time I had come up against the competitors from the South West, an area with a strong hillclimb heritage. These guys are fast and I was disappointed to be well off the pace.
By one standard however I was better. I got inside my target of John Woods' time + 50%. John was paying a return visit having totalled the Manx Weslake here last time. Certainly did not see to have slowed him. His time of 33..33 was just shaded by Glyn Poole on his Honda CR at 33.28 sec and Reeve/Hoole at 33.18 sec on their tyre smoking FRS 3 wheeler. Glyn Poole was busy as he was 2nd fastest 3 wheeler as well with Joanne Read on their beautifully engineered Kawaski engined trike.
In the 350 class 2nd, 3rd and 4th places were taken by classic bikes so I really have no excuse for not getting a bit quicker.
Baitings Dam, 8 September
Back to this nice venue again and the
weather was dry again. I improved my time by 1/2 sec but still could
not break 50 sec. John Woods won his
class and the unlimited but the times were tight with Michael Rayner very quick Husaberg and
Steve Hircock deceptively fast on a huge Honda Africa Twin. This
pushed the FRS 3 wheeler brigade a little bit down the order. Adam
Ward was spectacular and very quick on his Guzzi and he stayed on
this time.
Catterick Camp, 29 September
This was a new venue arranged by John Coverdale and the hard working members of the Middlesborough and District Club. Nice of them to arrange a meeting so near home for me - only 180 miles!
We were lucky to be able to proceed as the army (Catterick is an army camp) were preparing for possible action. Perhaps less fortunate was John himself who for the second time this seasons had heaved himself off the Velo at the previous week's Saltburn event. He was walking somewhat stiffly but found watching the rest of us more frightening than riding.
Indeed this is an exciting climb. Wide with an excellent surface and a series of flowing bends requiring real commitment. Dave Burrell demonstrated a little too much of this by getting his knee down, then his elbows and his backside during a fast run both on and off his Velo. Still he was back out for the next run, bike and leathers patched. He well deserved to win our class.
I thought I was starting to get into the
swing then I missed 3rd gear and not wanting a repeat took the edge
off my last run - still next year ..........and it felt good to
really exploit the G3 handling. A great joy of hill climbing is being
able to compete with whatever machinery you have. I can use my
slightly warmed "grey porridge" and in the same event there
is a very rare and valuable Rumi. as well as a 7R (owned by it's
rider for as long as I have had my G3) and a Manx Norton ridden by
the ever enthusiastic Keith Heckles.
Fastest time of the day was not unexpectedly set by John Woods on the Weslake - it must be an awesome bike on the top reaches of this hill! Dave Haywood on the 4 valve Velo put up fine performance to pip Frank Melling and the Seeley Suzuki to a 500 class win
