Innehållsförteckning för March - April 2019 från Classic Racer

(he makes this crossword) Hello and welcome to this first issue of the Classic Racer Crossword. I hope you enjoy it and I hope you find it entertaining and a bit difficult. I’ve tried not to make it too tough, but of course if it is too easy then I am happy to hear about it. I’d love to know your feedback on this (it will help me compile future puzzles). Find me on Facebook by searching for MotoXwords, or email me at motoxword@outlook.com with any feedback you care to give about the crossword, positive or negative all is welcome. Happy head-scratching!…

THE first weekend in the New Year saw thousands of classic bike and scooter enthusiasts descend upon Newark Showground for a fantastic season-opening event, the Carole Nash Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic. Guest of honour “Fast” Freddie Spencer drew in large crowds as he took to the stage with local star Steve Plater. Talking about his life and career, and taking time to pose for photographs and sign memorabilia, Freddie was a hit with fans and showgoers alike. Visitor Julie Brankston said: “What an absolute gentleman Freddie is, he stayed and signed every last autograph and had all the time in the world for everyone!” The show’s scooter element has also grown in recent years, becoming a popular date in the scootering social calendar. The introduction of Mod Radio in…

I am pleased that the care received by your wife was good and that it was rapid. We have a leaflet for visitors, It can be found at this link: www.gov.im/media/1138247/make_sure_you_re_covered_uk-overseas_ 03-oct-2012.pdf Our challenge is how best to make people aware of this guidance. In general, travel insurance is inexpensive these days: although the consequences of not having it can be costly. I am happy to liaise with Mr Woodcock if required, and I’m sure that Minister Ashford will be too. I wish your wife a full and speedy recovery. Kind regards Malcolm Couch Chief Executive Department of Health & Social Care Isle of Man Government…

It’s not often you come across a book that’s so perfect for your interest it has to be an absolutely essential addition to a motorcycle literary library – but with the third volume of The Racing Motorcycle, you have that exact thing. If you’ve ever tweaked, tuned or just played about with a motorcycle then you need this book. The author, John Bradley, makes complex things easy to understand and then notches your own insights into what happens when on the move up to ever higher heights. Having owned (and lost when once lent out in the paddock) volume one of these books, then buying two copies of volume two (just in case…) I have devoured volume three and I can tell you that this is a must for you…

Bonhams have announced the sale of the Sant Hilari Collection on Saturday, April 27, as part of their two-day Spring Stafford Sale (April 27/28), at The International Classic MotorCycle Show. The entire collection will be offered without reserve. The collection comprises more than 100 important competition machines covering marques such as: Gilera, Moto Guzzi, Kramer, Husqvarna, Maico, CZ, Jawa, Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, KTM, Bultaco, Motobi, Ossa, MAV, SWM, Moto Villa, Beta, Anvian, DKW, Cagiva, Greeves, Tri-BSA, Sachs, Fantic, Cannondale, VOR, Aprilia, Husaberg, Kawasaki, Montesa, Macal, Ducson and Ducati. The vendor amassed this incredible collection of machines over a lifetime spent as both a competitive rider and a works mechanic for several top-flight teams. The collection charts the development of many manufacturers including several prototype examples. James Stensel, Head of Bonhams’…

How much, then? In the process of winter blues, I recently made the mistake of visiting an old friend at his dealership. I was there for a meeting with other people but factored in time to see said mate and chew over both the fat of the land and various gossip from various corners of the paddock. The conversation inevitably moved on to what motorcycles we each had at the moment. “Where’s your 250? I can’t see it anywhere…” I asked “Sold it. I was offered good money for it, so it had to go.” “How much? You loved that bike.” “Enough for me to not love it anymore!” Which seemed fair enough. Until my mate asked if I wanted to see what he’d just finished as his ‘new’ project…

An unlikely circuit on the outskirts of a small Australian town was the country’s mecca of motorcycling for decades until the late 1980s. As well as being a showcase of local talent from its beginnings in the 1930s, the mountain circuit hosted some of the biggest international names in the 1970s. In this decade it also became a proving ground for the Japanese factories, with prototypes and works riders competing. To recapture the spirit of these times we bring you some snapshots of the Seventies at Mount Panorama. Next issue we go deep in the Eighties. A golden moment In the photograph, left, at the end of an Easter weekend, three riders share a joke while friends and family look on. Taken after the Unlimited Australian Grand Prix at Bathurst…

Remembering Phil Kettle Dear CR Your ‘Race of Attrition’ article in the November edition of Classic Racer regarding the present day breakdown rate in the Isle of Man classic races is always an interesting subject to ponder on. There are, I’m sure, many theories on the subject, all worth a listen to. But reading your article gave me a smile and reminded me of the chats I used to have with my neighbour, the late Phil Kettle, who as you know was Francis Beart’s right-hand man, the other part of the Beart Equipe for many years through the ‘50s and ‘60s. Many a happy hour was spent in Phil’s kitchen listening to the tales of the TT and Manx GP races of years gone by, often interrupted by Mrs Kettle…

The world of motorcycle racing lost a much loved sponsor and very generous man when Jim Lilley passed away on January 15. A service of thanksgiving for the life of James (Jim) Lilley was held in St John’s Parish Church, Upper Kilwarlin on Friday, January 18, with interment afterwards in the adjoining churchyard. Jim had a passion for horsepower in every form and was very well known in the world of horse racing, having owned Gay Spartan, which won the King George IV Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day 1978 and Rathgorman who won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 1982. He also served as a councillor in Lisburn for a four year term after being elected in 1973. Speaking at the funeral, Mr Lilley’s daughter Amanda…

I’ve just booked the flights and hotel for our annual pilgrimage to Daytona Bike Week; and before you ask it’s not coming out of editor Tony’s paltry expenses budget but out of my skinny pension and Mrs W’s housekeeping. We absolutely love the whole event. Regular readers will know that I have a leaning to American V-Twins, so the madness that is Daytona’s Main Street keeps me amused for hours. Obviously the iconic Daytona Speedway, which still fizzes with atmosphere, is a major draw for this old racing junkie and the warm Florida sunshine is just what we need after a miserable British winter. However, one major attraction that we would not want to miss each March is the celebration at the Daytona 200 Monument, where the heroes of both…

Kim Newcombe’s Konig 500 When Kim Newcombe landed a job in Berlin with the Konig outboard engine factory at the end of the 1960s, he couldn’t have known his life was about to take a dramatic turn, resulting in him becoming something of an iconic racing figure. The Kiwi found that a local had already tried to fit one of the 493cc, 10,500rpm redline ‘aquatic’ screaming two-stroke motors – aquatic because they were originally developed to power boats... fast boats – to a Manx Norton frame, without much success, and set about trying to harness the motor himself. Fitting it to a frame he designed himself, Newcombe managed to get the package working well and bagged two podium finishes in the 500cc GP class in 1972. In 1973 Kim Newcombe…

INTERNATIONAL CHALLENGE POINTS 1. AUSTRALIA 676 points 2. USA 634 points 3. New Zealand 460 points Ken Wootton Perpetual Trophy Individual Point Scores 1. Steve Martin AUS 152 points 2. Aaron Morris AUS 150 points 3. Josh Hayes USA 141 points 4. =Shawn Giles AUS 141 points 5. Larry Pegram USA 130 points 6. Michael Gilbert USA 128 points 7. =John Reynolds NZ 128 points 8. Mark Miller USA 121 points 9. Craig Ditchburn (AUS) 120 points 10. Barrett Long (USA) 114 points Race One: 1: Aaron Morris (Aus) 2: Jed Metcher (Aus) 3: Josh Hayes (US) 4: David Johnson(Aus) 5: Shawn Giles (Aus) Race Three: 1: Steve Martin (Aus) 2: Shawn Giles (Aus) 3: Aaron Morris (Aus) 4: Jed Metcher (Aus) 5: Michael Gilbert(US) Race Two: 1: Aaron Morris…

Two world wars, plus the UK foot and mouth epidemic which caused the cancellation of much UK sport including the TT, took out a total of 12 years, meaning 100 years of TT racing can be celebrated all over again. Mortons Media Group, publisher of Classic Racer, will be celebrating this special anniversary with a spectacular TT theme at its firmly established Stafford International Classic MotorCycle Show on April 27/28, 2019, where top-name riders and the famous machines that carried them to victory around one of the most famous race circuits in the world will be on display. Headlining the impressive list of star guests are current TT stars Ian Hutchinson and Tom and Ben Birchall, with an impressive 24 TT wins between them. ‘Hutchy’, as he is known to…

After a short hiatus, building work on the new Southern 100 race control has restarted with the fitting of the external cladding prior to the windows being fitted and the building being made watertight in readiness for the internal fixings. Southern 100 Racing are grateful for the continued support of the various sponsors associated with the build of the race control, particularly the Manx Lottery Trust and to the people involved with the construction of the building.…

Born on May 2, 1937 in Wetzlar, Germany, Klaus started his racing career in 1960, in the 500cc solo as well as in the sidecar class. In 1963 he was German junior champion in the 500cc class, and in 1964 while fighting for the German 500cc championship title he crashed in the last race on the Avus circuit. He then decided to go sidecar racing. With passenger Reinhold Manischeff, he clinched his first world championship points with a fourth place at Spa-Francorchamps. Then he was fourth again at the TT with Ralf Engelhardt as passenger. 1967 was the first year of success for the team, with five wins and a first title. In 1969 Enders/ Engelhardt took their second title by winning a fight against Helmut Fath at the last…

Saturday, March 23, sees the first of a number of dates throughout 2019’s friends’ scheme when members will have the opportunity to ride some of the most exciting and valuable classic motorcycles from the National Motorcycle Museum inventory. Those taking part will receive an induction and training before being escorted by expert advanced motorcycle instructors around the beautiful Warwickshire countryside. The machinery on offer varies from a BSA B31 to a Brough Superior SS100! This is followed on March 30, by a try a Classic Bike Day. At this, friends scheme members will get the chance to ride a number of laps, on various motorcycles from the museum’s inventory in a closed roads environment within the museum grounds. Machines will include a selection of veteran and vintage machines with lever…

The RG500 raced at GP level for 13 years before being replaced by the RGV500 in 1987. It won four riders’ world championships in the hands of Sheene (1976-77), Marco Lucchinelli (1981) and Franco Uncini (1982) and, more importantly to the manufacturers, took seven straight constructors’ world championships between 1976 and 1982. The bike racked up a total of 49 GP wins, the last coming in 1982 when Randy Mamola won the German GP. 1974: Takes second, third and fourth place finishes to end up sixth overall in what is Sheene and the RG500’s first 500cc Grand Prix season. 1975: Debut win for Barry and the RG at Assen followed by another win in Sweden, but the pairing fail to finish any other races and finish sixth in the championship.…