July 2018 UPDATE

The VMCC Banbury Run

Competitors led by Michael Barter on a 1930 H31-8 BSA come to terms with the Traffic
 at Banbury Cross (c) FCM Library

It was an early start on 17 June as I made my way to Warwickshire for the VMCC’s 70^th Banbury Run. The event has been a regular date in the diary for many years now, and this is the third year that I was attending on behalf of Old Bike Mart. The first year was easy as the brief was get some pictures of the event and so I followed convention by attending the start/finish point at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon got loads of pictures and a few background stories. Last year I decided to get out on the road to get some images of bikes during the run. This year was a challenge because I was keen not to just recreate last year’s pictures and in any event the course (which is not published) can change each year.

Noel Whittle on a 1913 Triumph Model C at Banbury Cross (c) FCM Library & Mortons Archive

This time I was not in contact with any of the riders, so I was out on the road with my scout, Tony on his Moto Guzzi. The first promising signs of spectators at the side of the road turned out to be for a Cycle Race. As the peloton sped past on the other side of the road at 40mph with outriders and team cars in attendance, I hoped that the Bike Race and Banbury Run organisers were aware of each other; I momentarily wondered about the consequences of the two events clashing down some single-track lane.

From Tony’s previous experience on the run we decided that Banbury Cross would be a good place to observe, and safely parked we waited for the bikes to arrive. I grabbed several pictures of the bikes in traffic and on the Junction. The light was not the best for photos and this was compounded by a little light drizzle. The conditions may not have been good for me, but they were ideal for the riders who had suffered in the heat last year. Once back on the road we made our way to a place we could safely park the vehicles off the road and caught sight of our mate Ian on a Royal Enfield Trials bike owned by ABC specialist Keith Sams. Later Ian explained that the set up was a bit of a handful as the bike was regularly used on off road events.

Brooklands Stalwart Ian Dabney on a Keith Sams prepared 1929 Royal Enfield Mod C
(c) FCM Library& Mortons Archive

After a few more locations, we made our way back to Gaydon, for a very late lunch, chat with the competitors and quick look round the Auto-Jumble and Museum. The paddock was an excellent place to hand out leaflets for the Brooklands Museum Great War Day on 30 September. We are trying to beat our 2015 record, by getting as many WW1 period bikes on the Brooklands site. If you have a bike made between 1910 and 1920 you will get a free entry for 2 and the bike so check for more details and to enter Here.

A Norton Rider on a Mission! (c) FCM Library

My Scout Tony Baxter chats to Phil Winks (1929 Sunbeam Mod 5 Light Solo) (c) FCM Library

Brooklands Motorcycle Show.

Bikes on Test Hill

As a Brooklands Motorcycle Team Member I may be biased, but I think the Annual Bike event is one of the highlights of the year. This year the Motorcycle Show had a Triumph flavour. Dick Shepperd brought along some of his bikes from his iconic Triumph Factory Collection. Also in the paddock was Perry Barwick’s Freddy Clarke Triumph T80 replica which is nearing completion before becoming part of the Bike display at Brooklands. Sporting a lawnmower tank in place of the tank which is in the paint shop, it was easy to mistake it for a sprinter. Perry has painstakingly recreated this historically important bike at the Museum. The attention to detail has been outstanding. Speaking before the show Perry explained that he was very much indebted to those who had got behind the project, by supplying and making parts. These include our good friend Carl Wadkin-Snaith of Turnertec who recreated the Brooklands Can, Central Wheels who supplied and laced the wheels, Kellas Kat Customs handlebars, Flat Tank Engineering, Fuel Cap and brake parts, Graham Fulger, Rear stays, Brian Tillin Engine parts, Dave Wilkinson Mag & Air leavers, Rick Parkington advice and Taco counter drive. Not forgetting Brooklands Team members Michael Digby, Gatherth Pemberton, Peter Driver (Fuel Tank), Ralph Brough and Roger Bird and others who have contributed time and assistance.

The Freddy Clark on the original T80 record breaking machine at Brooklands in 1939

 

Whilst on Marshalling duties I met Ken Phelps from Traralgon in Australia. Ken said the Bike, a Norvin had come over a couple of months ago, whilst Ken arrived two weeks ago. He had just started a trip round Britain on the bike which is his daily commute back home. Incidentally the bike has 247k on the clock. When asked how he knew about the event, he answered, “just a couple of blokes down the pub” (in London). So I am afraid the couple who arrived from Wales 10 minutes before lost their status as travelling the farthest!

As the bikes were forming up in the sweltering heat for the first run up Test Hill I bumped into Steve Parrish who had popped in to have a look. That’s the thing about Brooklands is you never know who is going to turn up, apparently Damon Hill was there too.

After the first run I got a chance to chat to the guys at Hollis. They were over the moon having just sold a bike and on display beside my favourite bike was a Jap engined Steam Punk Special they are collaborating on. 

This Hollis now in full production, could be yours for a lot less than you would think.
(c) FCM Library

Sticking with the theme of British Manufacturers I headed over to see Mark Wardill. Earlier I had almost walked past his Wardill Prototype which I explained was a good thing, because it just blended with the other old bikes. There will be more on this bike later in the year, but in short Mark has re-launched his Great Grandfather’s company with the Wardill 4, which is a lovely period styled flat-tanker with a modern engine. The finished article will have to include road legal stuff like indicators etc. It promises to be a good-looking practical bike for the younger person who wants to dip their toes into  veteran bikes without worrying about the mechanics.

The Wardill 4 Prototype on show for the first time (c) FCM Library

In the afternoon I was down to ride the Museum’s OK Supreme, whilst Steve Parrish was offered a ride on the Ex-Denis Jenkinson 1935 Norton International. Also on track was Bill Whitely author of “The quest for King Dick” testing his AKD bike for a trip to France later in the month. Steve later went out on the OK whilst I tested some new film kit. All in all a brilliant if exhausting day and the museum later confirmed that almost 1000 visiting bikes were on site.

Straight-Liner Sheila Neal will leave anyone standing.
She started racing back in the good old days. (c) FCM Library

Grand Prix Rétro du Puy Notre-Dame

Its back into the workshop now to prepare the AJS for the Grand Prix Rétro du Puy Notre-Dame in a couple of weeks. The event format consists of the town of Puy Notre-Dame closing its streets for two days for daytime and evening sessions for cars and bikes. Entrants can also enjoy a tour through the French countryside with lunch on the Saturday. 

Brooklands Great War Commemorations 30 September 2018

There are still some free spaces for those with WW1 period bikes 1910-1920. Please check our website for more details or write for an entry form to events@Brooklandsmuseum.com

July 2017 UPDATE

So much is going on there is less time to get a few words down on paper.

The Banbury Run

It was way back In May that I shot off to Banbury to do a bit for Old Bike Mart. This time I thought it would be good to get out on the road and see some of the bikes in their natural habitat. Here are a few shots that did not make the final cut.

John Surtees Tribute

Participants line up for the Photoshoot

In July I got the opportunity to see the Surtees Tribute at Mercedes Benz World in Surrey.

Triple World Champion rider Freddie Spencer, former Grand Prix Motorcycle rider, and Saloon Car driver Stuart Graham, Journalist and former TT Rider Mat Oxley and Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner took to the track at Mercedes Benz World on 11 July in a fitting tribute to John Surtees, who passed away in March this year.

Freddie Spencer led the pack round the MB World Track

Damon Hill 

On track later were a number of Surtees race cars driven by Damon Hill, Derek Bell, Alexander Simms, Scott Malvern and Oliver Turvey.

Mat Oxley

The tribute was part of the annual Henry Surtees Foundation Team Karting Challenge at the Mercedes-Benz World Circuit in Surrey.

Stuart Garner Norton CEO

Inside MB World was an exhibition featuring cars and bikes owned by John.

A Surtees owned Mercedes at MB World

Its been said before and it will hopefully will be said many times more “This man was an epic hero and true legend, the like of which are unlikely to ever be seen again”

I was lucky enough to meet him on a couple of occasions and he was so matter of fact about succeeding to the highest level on bikes and in cars. It would seem to me from speaking to some of his friends that he had a keen eye for bikes and was continuing to build his collection up until his death.

HS Foundation's Michael Digby Fires up the MV Augusta

 His legacy will of course be his own sporting achievements, but going forward these will be matched by the wonderful work of the Henry Surtees Foundation that was founded by John following the tragic death of his son Henry, killed aged just 18 years old whilst competing in Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.

Their primary objectives are to assist people with brain or physical injuries caused by accident to return to community living by the provision of support for equipment and facilities. We also seek to provide education and training associated with motorsport-related programmes in technology, engineering, and road safety instruction for two and four wheels.

One last note. There are many who were pushing for a knighthood for John. However, the honours system is steeped in tradition and process and I personally believe that the reason he was not knighted, was that he got a foot on the ladder early on. Once in the system its seems to me that you have to work your way up, which he was doing with the more recent CBE.

To find out more about the Foundation visit www.henrysurteesfoundation.com

JUNE Update

Stafford Show

It seems a long time ago that I ventured up to Stafford on 24 April and witnessed the world record breaking sale of the 1932 800cc Brough Superior BS4 which is one of only 10 examples manufactured. 

At first sight it is a curious machine, and one that appears to be more at home in the custom sheds of today rather than a serious design intended to bridge the gap between motorcycles and cars in the early 1930’s. 

The machine is powered by an Austin Seven car engine and therefore appeals not only to the high end Brough collector, but also those historic Austin collectors. One thing is sure the £331,900 sale price will need to be matched by a hefty restoration bill before it comes anywhere near the excellent example housed in the National Motorcycle Museum.

The BS4 with the other Broughs discovered in a Barn near Bodmin

This, the first of the lots billed as the Broughs of Bodmin was first up at the Stafford auction, and we have the bidding in full in the film below. Excuse the camera shake, but the atmosphere was electric. Hear the gasps in the room as a fresh bidder, and eventual buyer, came in at £270,000 meaning that the bidder who came all the way form Australia was squeezed out. 

The other bikes in the collection; which at any other time would have been hugely significant in themselves all sold for prices well over their original estimate. Whilst it seems that every Auction House currently needs a Brough on its front page, the word on the street is this just can’t go on. Bonhams Motorcycle lead Ben Walker agrees. He said “I don’t think another cache of bikes like this will turn up again. The collection had been squirreled away......for between 40 and 50 years” 

I was on business, so missed the other lots as we were transporting the 1929 490cc Ex Pat Driscoll Model 18 Norton Norton, bought earlier in the day back to its Brooklands home. 

1929 Ex Pat Driscoll Norton 490cc Model 18

It was a huge privilege to drive it back through the Brooklands Gates and even more of an honour to be only the second person to ride the bike on this hallowed ground since it left in period.

The Norton back at Brooklands

Brooklands Sunbeam

The Brooklands Museum Sunbeam Tourer, like most other museum bikes is fully running and gets used for demonstrations on a regular basis during School holidays. It does not tend to get used during events, as these are normally tailored towards the competition bikes. This together with the fact that the demonstration area will be out of commission during building works led the Volunteers to consider more outreach events. The Sunbeam is therefore being prepared to take part in more events during 2016. 

Earlier in the year the tyres were renewed, and the front brakes relined. During the past month we have also been servicing the clutch and gear-change linkage. New woodruff keys have been fabricated, the clutch plates cleaned and a couple of damaged corks are being replaced. It should be ready for a test run in a couple of weeks.

Kempton Park Motorcycle Show

21 May was the date for the legendary Southern Classic Motorcycle Show and Jumble held at Kempton Park. Organiser, Eric Patterson was, as ever pulling the strings to ensure all was in place by the time the gates opened. On Friday evening Eric’s shed was well represented with at least three of his own bikes already in place including his new Brough Superior newly delivered by Brough Boss Mark Upham who was on hand on Saturday as the new bike got its inaugural engine run.


Meanwhile back on the Jumble Stall the rain held off until it was time to pack up. We look forward to the next Jumble which is being held on 25 July 2016. In the meantime if you have a Pre-war bike to sell or find that old parts are getting in the way of your latest project then contact us at info@fenlandclassics and we will give you a price.

Future Events

We are currently gearing up to provide support at the Banbury Run and will be riding at Chateau Impney Hill Climb on 9/10 July 2016.

George Cohen

As I finish writing this I hear the sad news that George Cohen has just past away after a short but brave fight against cancer. It is a  particularly poignant moment as I remember the pack for The Pat Driscoll Norton above, to which George had included a copy of his book and a special message to the new owner. A Bonham’s consultant, he was a passionate Norton Man to the end. Paul d'Olreans fellow writer and friend of George, has penned his memories of George on his “The Vintigent” site. 

George at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2014