JULY 2014 Update

 

WarBike Project: Motorcycles of WW1

Just started to source some pictures and there is a trip needed to the British Library to source some information which was missing from a document in the National Archives. The aim of this project is to provide a lasting resource for those interested in motorcycles and their riders. It follows that the project will never really be finished. This is not just an excuse for getting behind, but recognition that the research will be added to over time. The main work will initially be the published material, but the Facebook page will act as a repository for anyone wishing to add or even correct any material. This month we will also be finalising the Cover design and the title. Believe it or not we have gone with Warbike as a working title, but now realise that the final title needs to be a bit more contextual!

20 June saw the Centenary of the Red Cross Field day held at Brooklands Racetrack in 1914. This was an event organised by Ethel Locke-King local Red Cross Vice President, and Wife of Hugh Locke-King, the owner of Brooklands. The Field Day brought together Members of the Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment together with members of the local Regiments and Aircraft spotters to test the Red Cross’s readiness in the case of conflict.

VAD Nurses (c) Red Cross Archives

A mock battle was fought with members of the local Territorial Regiment defending part of the Banked track from attack by “Enemy” Forces. These solders were firing wax bullets at each other which although not lethal did not reach today’s health and safety standards and could have rendered some very real injuries. A biplane armed with a Vickers machine gun then fired on the enemy positions. Later the same plane acted as a spotter for wounded members of the armed forces in the shape of straw dummies in uniform that had been placed around the battlefield. After landing the crew informed the Red Cross field Ambulance crews who recovered the wounded to a safe area. We know from contemporary reports that at least one motorcycle was involved reported as a Triumph with Gloria Sidecar converted to an ambulance for carrying wounded. From our research we know that the Red Cross used these combinations for transport and the picture kindly supplied by the Red Cross Archive shows a similar bike in action. However this one complete with stretcher conceived by Lady Rowley was reported to be the first of its kind

Red Cross Field day at Brooklands June 1914

The successful event was watched over by Red Cross President HM Queen Alexandria and Sister Maria Feodorovna the Dowger Empress of Russia.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

As ever a wonderful event. It gets better by the year and is alas getting just a little busy. The organisers have done their best to increase numbers on the site by spreading the attractions over a larger area, but when the stars are on the Hill you just know you have to be there. Lots for bike fans including in no particular order John McGuinness, Steve Parrish,Ivan Rhodes,Sammy Miller, Alan Cathcart, George Cohen,Scott Redding, Freddie Spencer, Wayne Gardiner, Michael Dunlop, Donald Cameron, Charley Boorman and many more.

BSA Empie Star

Brooklands Museum had two entries including The Napier Railton and the Recreation of the BSA Empire Star ridden by its owner and creator George Wander. It remains about the only event where members of the public can mingle with the riders and drivers in the padock. Well Done Goodwood and can’t wait until next year.

Brooklands VMCC

 

We were also at Brooklands filming a short promo film for the Brooklands Section of the VMCC. Lots of fun was had by all. It was great to see bikes on the banking and we were also able to get some good shots of bikes on Test Hill.

Ace Ton-up Day @Brooklands

Whilst of the subject of the Hill; it will be in action again on 6 July 2014 for The Ace Cafe Ton-Up Day. Entries are closed for the hill, but you can still ride in on the day. It promises to be a great day with a few surprises thrown in.

All Our Yesterdays

 

On 28^th June we launched our Diary of the first World War viewed from the perspective of the pioneer motorcyclists of the day. We will be reporting on some of the main events in the August Blog.

JUNE 2014 Update

 

Warbike Project

So much information and not enough time. We are just about on target for publication and thanks to our friends at Brooklands Museum we have seen a lot of fantastic images relating to the racing circuit before and during WW1. We now have to sort out the images from the National Archives and pay a visit to the Imperial War Museum and even try to get to the RAF Museum, The Royal Engineers Museum and the Vintage Motor Cycle Club Archives!!!! Maybe we are not on schedule after all.

Kempton Park Classic Motorcycle Show

 

We were at the show supporting the Brooklands Motorcycle Volunteers with transportation of the BSA Empire Star and Douglas that were featured in the April Edition of Classic Bike Guide. There was lots of interest in the bikes....even more when the Heavens opened on the Auto Jumble.  It looks like there is a lot of support for the forthcoming events at Brooklands especially Ton up Day on 6 July. Also promoting this event was the London Ace Cafe who will be leading a ride out from the north circular venue to Brooklands on the Day.

Brooklands was well represented at the show which also included a VMCC Brooklands Section Stand and Historics @Brooklands Auctions who were promoting their Auction at Brooklands on 7 June.

Despite the jest above the Auto Jumble was mainly dry and we got time for a swift look round. There seem to be more and more bikes for sale on the stands, some of which looked like worthwhile projects, or maybe they were abandoned winter projects!

Trondhjemsridtet Vintage Rally

Gunnar Hop's Harley almost ready for the big Day

On 7 June riders will start the trondhjemsridtet Vintage Rally from Oslo to Trondhiem in Norway. This event commemorates the inaugural run of the Norsk Motorcycle Klub (Norwegian Motorcycle Club run in 1916. Check out our Twitter feed for Updates from 7 June @Fenlandclassics. The rally will begin at 1200 noon local time.

See video of the last Rally run in 2012

 http://youtu.be/yEskOHlwoTc

Goodwood Festival of Speed

 

 

The Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place later this month. Motorcycles will as usual feature in both static displays and runs up the Hill. The Brooklands BSA Empire Star will feature and is expected to run up the Hill during each session.

AUGUST 2013 Update

By our standards July was a relatively quite month, but it has given us a chance to catch up on some research, fettling and of course chilling out at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Rhonyx Project

We are continuing work on the little French Rhonyx we rescued. Our contacts in France tell us that the Marque, based in Rhone in the 1920s to 30s relied heavily on word of mouth and were not big advertisers. Consequently the motorcycling press of the day did not write anything much and there is next to nothing out there in print. We have however found some similar examples and are slowly gathering more about the model and the engine which was manufactured by the Rhonyx Company under the brand of Stainless. If you have any further information we would love to hear from you at: info@fenlandclasics.co.uk
 

War Bike Project

THE CANADIAN ARMY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR© IWM (Q 53568)

Whilst researching the All Our Yesterdays piece it occurred to us pretty soon that the motorcycle news stories would begin to come to an end as the 100 year anniversary of World War One was reached. We subsequently decided that it is important to ensure that we document as much information as we can about bikes of both wars and so the War Bike Project was born. For now we will be concentrating on WW1 hoping that the interest in the anniversary will prompt more information from private archives. You will have seen from "All Our Yesterdays" that we have already captured some information about testing and procurement of motorcycles by the war office and research now continues for the remainder of the year with the Imperial War Museum and other sources. We already have some information from Club archives as well as ‘My grandfather rode this bike, do you know what it is?’ requests. This information will begin to create a feel for the motorcycle’s place during this period. If you have and information, documentation or pictures you would like to share with this important project. Please contact warbike@fenlandclassics.co.uk We aim to find an appropriate archive for any original unwanted documents after scanning for better accessibility. This is important history and needs tio be saved.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

© FenlandClassics

My first visit to the event must have been about 15 years ago; I was expecting a static event of a few cars at the side if the Racehorse track. Not only did I get the venue wrong, this was NOT a static event. For anyone who does not know, The Festival of Speed is an event dreamed up by Goodwood’s owner Lord March to bring motorsport back to the estate and to allow visitors to get closer to the action.  The Event has celebrated its 20 birthday this year, and its huge success is due of course to all of the organisers, but it is the format that makes it so popular. At its heart is a hill climb event, but It is the overall format which has made it so popular with entrants and visitors. There is a relaxed atmosphere where superstars of motorsport mix with the crowd and where those who are passionate about the machinery can get up close and chat to the mechanics and owners about the history of the vehicle in question. If that is not enough those same vehicles worth thousands, even millions of pounds will be seen running up the hill either with a timed lap for the competition, or as part of a “parade”. Each year the event has a theme in addition to many anniversary celebrations. This year the theme was “The best of the first 20 years” and one of the most notable celebrations was 50 years of Mclaren. This year it was Porsche that were celebrated on the iconic artwork in front of Goodwood House. There are acres of stands and static exhibitions as well as Stunt bikes, BMX and not to mention a 2 mile Rally Stage. This piece really does not do it justice, but if you love motorsport, check out the website for next years event. If you can’t wait that long The Goodwood Revival is held on 13 to 15 September 2013 at the nearby Circuit. Another fantastic event....Just check out the website.

Click Here for a video of Highlights of the last few years

 Images:


KTM 1290 Super Duke Prototype



Augusta Helicopter Engine powered MTT 420s StreetFighter



Action on the Hill



Sammy Miller's  1972 MV Augusta 750



John Surtees's Norton F Type 1955 Prototype



John Surtees and Sammy Miller share a story in the Padock



 

 

MAY 2013 Update

Ride-Out May 2013

 

At last the biking weather has arrived. Sadly I did not take my own advice to come out of hibernation in February, so my steed still needs a bit of fettling before it is on the road. It was good to see everyone out there enjoying themselves which has given us an idea for a piece in the future about ride out venues. If you have any suggestions of places that you visit, send them to routes@Fenlandclassics.co.uk . We also have some of your favourite ride-out routes we are still checking out, but still need some more so send them in on the same email address.

As previously reported, we are supporting the Brooklands Museum Motorcycle Volunteers with their Ton-Up day in association with The Ace Cafe London on 23 June 2013 to celebrate 75 years of the Ace Cafe. It is looking like a fantastic event. Your chance to ride up the Hill and the famous banking have now closed, but there will be loots to see and do. There will be a mass ride in from the Ace Cafe, motorcycle films, many very interesting bikes and of course the action on the famous Test Hill   Glen Richards will ride the 2012 British Supersport winning Triumph on Test Hill on 23rd June. His BSB team-mate, Bill Mc Connell will ride the Museum’s Wicksteed Triumph (See April Update for more about this unique bike. Also 84 year old Johnny Giles, the highest medal scoring British ISDT rider of all time, will be reunited with his Cheney Triumph and will ride it up Test Hill.

We will also be visiting the Bike Shed Event at Shoreditch Studios EC2A 3HHon 18- 19 May as well as Goodwood Festival of Speed 12-14 July 2013.