March 2018 UPDATE

As this is posted the snow is coming down outside so get in the warm and read on.

Motorcyclists who Happen to be Women

Marjorie Cottle Pic Source Carole Nash

In 1918 women got the vote, but 100 years later there is still controversy over many aspects of gender equality, particularly in the workplace. We take a look at how women were early adopters of motorcycles and explore some extraordinary motorcyclists who just happen to be women.  

During the pioneer days the motorcycling press and readership seemed keen to encourage women into motorcycling. After 1911 ladies’ events were being held by motorcycle clubs, and after a few issues over types of motorcycle, power and weight women were soon competing against men on an equal footing. During the First World War, outside of the motorcycling world women proved that they were equally capable of fulfilling tasks that had traditionally and culturally considered as mens’ work so by 1920 we find women embedded in two-wheeled sport which compared with the more respectable sport of car racing, often found itself on the wrong side of the tracks in polite society. Here are just a few examples of the many women who made their mark in motorcycling history:

Agnes Muriel Hind

Agnes Hind is reputed to be the first female owner of a motorcycle in the UK and regular competitor in trials, including a gold medal in the 1906 24hr London to Edinburgh trial and a Bronze in the 6-day Lands End to John O’Groats event the same year. She went on to champion Ladies motorcycling writing columns and consulting in the design of motorcycles for female riders.

 Fay Taylour

Fay Taylour © speedtracktales.com

Born in Ireland in 1904, Fay became a champion Speedway rider competing all over the world, she too competed in trial events including the 1928 ISST trial. An article in the Adelade Register News-Pictorial in 1929 describes how “more than 16,000 people saw Fay Taylour, the English (sic) woman motor cyclist, show her skill at the Speedway Royale on Saturday night, when she won the four lap ‘A’ Grade Handicap in the fastest time for the season.”

In 1934 she took up car racing competing at Brooklands and the Mille Miglia.

Marjorie Cottle

Majorie Cottle continues to compete in the 1939 ISDT on the
 eve of WW2 Pic Source speedtracktales.com

A well known motorcyclist of the 1920's Marjorie rode a 1400 mile publicity trip on a Raleigh Motorcycle. She was taken up by the motorcycle industry to promote their wares and it easy to think she was a 'Poster Girl' However, she was a formidable biker competing in numerous events in the UK and abroad and was reported to be one of the best riders in the country. During the 1920's and 30's she won many prizes in events such as the ISDT and Scott Trial. During the 1939 ISDT held in Germany on the eve of WW2, Cottle refused to withdraw with other private entrants and continued with the British Military Team until they too were ordered to make their way to neutral Switzerland.  

Elsie Knocker Baroness T’Serclaes

Elsie Knocker  © National Portrait Gallery

A keen motorcyclist, member of the Gypsy Club and trials rider; Elsie, a trained nurse saw an opportunity to join up at the beginning of WW1. Initially denied a chance to serve on the front line by the British she became a London based dispatch rider with friend Mairi Chisholm (See Below), before they both signed up as members of Hector Munro’s Belgain Flying Ambulance Corps. Elsie frustrated at the number of men dying of their wounds set up her own treatment station with Mairi on the front line where under enormous danger they were able to treat and transport men to hospital. Awarded by the Belgains for their service the ‘Madonnas of Pervyse’ were featured in the press of the time. Elsie served in the RAF during WW2.

Mairi Chisholm

Mairi Chisholm © IWM Q105931

A keen motorcyclist, Mairi persuaded her parents that she should be doing her bit for the WW1 war effort. She signed up as a despach rider with friend Else Knocker (see above), before being spotted by Dr Hector Munro who was putting together a mobile Ambulance service on behalf of the Belgians. She was able to persuade Hector to include Elsie Knocker in the group. She went on to serve with Else Knocker at their field hospital close to the front line. Both women continued to ride motorcycles as well as their Motor Ambulances in Belgium. After the war she too briefly served with the RAF, but her heath suffered because of the gas attacks the women endured at the field hospital. She is reported to have later continued in motorsport by taking up car racing.

Elsie & Mairi at Their Forward Treatment Post
© IWM Q 106001

Miss L Ball*

Miss Ball (Right) at Brooklands 1925 Source speedtracktales.com

Won a gold medal at the 1923 ISDT riding a James motorcycle. The Motorcycle Magazine said “the most outstanding performance of the trial. Without losing a single point all week had excelled at Bushcombe and Alms, and had not been in any serious difficulty on any of the hills.”

Beatrice Shilling OBE, PhD, MSc, CEng

Beartrice 'Tilly' Shilling ©University of Manchester

Women such as Beatrice Shilling were competing against men during the glory days of Brooklands. In August 1934 Beatrice, a brilliant engineer, lapped her self-prepared Norton at 101.02mph and in doing so not only won a Brooklands Gold Star, but later that day became the first woman to be handicapped against all her male entrants, leaving the starting line last. In this race she beat her own time to win a further Star at a lap speed of 101.85. 

She is reputed to have refused to marry her future husband until he too had earned a Brooklands Gold Star. She went on to design a critical component of the Merlin engine during WW2. Her modification allowed a steady flow of fuel to the carburettors preventing the engine, used in Spitfires and Hurricanes, stalling during particular manoeuvres. She was still competing in trials until later in life.

Theresa Wallach

Theresa Wallach (seated) at Brooklands Source themotolady.com

Theresa Wallach, Brooklands racer, engineer and adventure motorcyclist. On 11 December 1934 she set off with Florence Blenkiron on a motorcycle trip from London to Cape Town arriving on 29 July 1935. She later lived in the USA touring and running a business specialising in British bikes. She was riding until the age of 88. The first Vice-President of the Women’s International Motorcycle Association, she was inducted into the AMA hall of fame in 2003.

Florence Blenkiron

Florence Blenkiron (left) with Theresa Wallach at Brooklands
Source themotolady.com

The first woman to hold the 100 mph record in 1934 and later that year travelled to Cape Town with Theresa Wallach (see above)

   *Despite further research we have not yet been able to find her first name, please get in contact if you have any further information.   

 
The Quest for King Dick By William Whiteley

Of, course we all know about King Dick. I remember first giggling about the name in the infant’s School. ‘King Dick’ tools of Abingdon, and yes they also built bikes. However, William Whiteley’s research over many years has uncovered the fascinating story of the Abingdon works, the people who worked there as well as the tools and many other products they created. Like many others out there, Bill’s years of research was not originally intended for publication but was studiously collected as both as part of his role as Abingdon Expert for the VMCC and interest in the history of the people involved. His fascination in the history of the works led him to it write up and in November he finally published the book.

Just before publication I asked him what the title was, he said “The Quest for King Dick” I said “are you sure; the search engines will have fun with that”. But the title was already set in stone and now it is available to buy. He did however have a few problems initially as the publisher’s website had hidden it from public view marking it as ‘Adult Content’. I also believe that it is not currently available on Amazon as two of the images do not meet their standards for clarity. No doubt the negative side of artificial intelligence has intervened, but I can assure you there is nothing wrong with the quality of any of the images. Personally, I would rather have a poor image of a historical subject than a description. 

The Book tells the story of the Abingdon Works and the people who made it.  Whilst many know about the tools and possibly the bikes; the book explains how they also made guns, armaments, Bicycles, a car and a vacuum cleaner. Bill explained that the book was published as a result of many years of painstaking research into the history of Abingdon. The many pages of notes gradually came together in the form of a book and then with the assistance of Annice Collett, formally the VMCC Librarian it was finally published. It is an excellent read which includes hundreds of illustrations and images. It is an essential resource for those interested in any aspect of the Abingdon Works history and includes the specifications of all known Kerry, Abingdon, Kerry-Abingdon, Blumfield, Abingdon King Dick, and AKD; Cycle, Tri-car, Cycle-Car, Motorcycle, Tricycle and Engine combinations from 1903 until 1932.

As for Bill he can often be seen riding his Kerry Abingdon Motorcycle which is on long term loan to Brooklands Museum.

The Quest for King Dick: An Exploration of the Abingdon Works and their Products (ISBN 9780244645625) is available from the Fenland Classic Motorcycles Bookshop £15.00 plus P&P.

MARCH

4 March Brooklands British Maques Day. This is a new event for 2018 featuring cars and bikes.

February 2018 UPDATE

The Winter months have given me a chance to do a bit of reading and catching up on biking DVDs, but I should really be out in the workshop getting my hands dirty. Anyway this month we have a review of the recently restored 1957 film I Fidanzati Della Morte.

Kempton Bike Jumble

20^th January was an early start as I crawled out of bed and into the van for a 7am start at Kempton. The back to back December/January Jumbles are always the most difficult for the sellers as we set up in dark freezing temperatures. Some also brave an overnight stay, but we are lucky to only have a 40-minute drive to the venue. With rain forecast for most of the day this was set to be an uncomfortable time. However, the rain was lighter than expected and the people who had made it out were keen to snap up a bargain, so we had a great day catching up with news of winter projects.

One Man and His Cub: James Crosby's Epic Journey

The Cub revisits its birthplace: Site of the Meridan Works

The London Motorcycle Museum, located in Greenford is the home of many unique bikes and well worth a visit if you have not already done so. As is the case with so many privately-run museums the LMM continues to run into funding challenges. This has also been compounded by a constant risk of losing their home.

In 2017 museum’s Chairman James Crosby decided on an ambitious plan to gain publicity and raise funds for the Museum. James explained that the plan was to emulate leading Triumph designer Edward Turner’s Gaffers gallop trip made in 1953 on a Triumph Terrier. However, James intended to also visit the most easterly and southern parts of Britain in addition to the Lands End John O’Groats trip undertaken by Turner. James was also going to attempt the journey unsupported on a Tiger Cub which is the bike that evolved from Turner’s Terrier. So with only an AA Membership for company he was off.

The Tiger Cub was rebuilt and prepared for the run, and on 7 October he set off from the Museum. You can read how he got on next month. 

In the meantime please support the work of the museum by visiting James Crosby’s Just Giving Page at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/one-man-and-his-cub He really does deserve more for his mammoth efforts…..and the museum needs your help.

I Fidanzati Della Morte (Engaged to Death)

I Fidanzati Della Morte (Engaged to Death) is a tale of love rivalry and passion set in the 1950s it’s a drama which also documents Motorcycle Racing during the 1950’s. Shot in colour and released in 1957 it provides a unique insight into what many regard as the golden age of motorcycle racing.

Using actual footage of the last ever Milano-Taranto and the Monza Grand Prix. Contemporary racers Geoff Duke, Stanley Woods, Reg Armstrong, Dickie Dale, Ken Kavanagh, Bill Lomas, Enrico Lorenzette, Pierre Monneret and Walter Zella all appear in the film which also features bikes with their period iconic “Dustbin” fairings which were due to be banned in Italian racing the year after the film was released.

After distribution across Europe in 1957 it was consigned to oblivion until Alessandro Marotto and Silva Fedrigo rescued and restored this masterpiece in 2017 as part of a crowd funding project supported by Fenland Classic Motorcycles.

Having eventually got to see the film I was amazed by the race sequences. These days we have become used to very quick flashes of the action in films. However, this was made at a time when the viewer could become immersed in the moment; given the time to understand what was happening. The opening sequence filmed at a moto-cross circuit would never be this long if the film was made today. This is no ‘Trick shots with bikes on trailers’ film. The camera angles during the road race scenes place you right in the action and for Italian bike aficionados there are also shots taken in the Moto Guzzi factory and wind tunnel at Mandello del Lario. As for the bikes, the film features the Gilera four cylinder posing as a fantasy marque and the ZV motorcycles are quite clearly Moto Guzzis.

The DVD pack also includes a 50 page booklet (Italian with English translation) which contains informative articles such as Luigi Rivola’s piece The Battle of Innovation, covering the development of 1950’s race bikes.

Click Here to visit our shop and see clips and Journalist, Author and Biker Melissa Holbrook Pierson talking about the film. 

Bikes out again at Brooklands     

Brooklands Test Hill in Use

Our friends at Brooklands Museum have just announced another event featuring bikes. The British Marques Day will Celebrate the best of British manufacturing on 4 March 2018.  Alongside Austin and Morris there will be a whole host of British-built cars, motorcycles, vans and commercial vehicles from pre-War Alvis, Sunbeam and BSA right through to the latest Jaguar model. Motorcycles will be taking part in the action on Test Hill in the afternoon and other vehicles will be taking to the Mercedes Benz World track.

Advance tickets available HERE at the discounted rate of £11.50 until 2 March 2018.

Old Timer

January 2018 UDATE

As I crawl out of hibernation once again it is time to review all the jobs that did not yet get finished over Christmas. As we all know the workshop just seems too cold in the winter, but we do need to crack on with the restoration of the AJS. However, first we need to decide how we want it to look. I favour an oily rag look so I think its looking as if it will be based on the WW2 period with perhaps a blackout light filter and white paint on the mudguard leading and rear edges. This particular bike lends itself to that look as it is very original and I don’t really want to replace any of the existing pieces unless I have to. One example is the original two-part mudguard. It is very dented and rusty, but I really don’t want to get a new mudguard. I think the steal will clean up fine and then I can finish it in satin black. Still enough thinking about it, I better get on and do it! 

There was a lot going on in 2017 so the updates were a bit hit and miss. Here is a catch up on a couple of events that missed the blog. 

The Goodwood Revival

Close Racing into the Chicane (c) FCM

Last September I was able to spend some time at the Goodwood Revival and although there was some rain we still got a good look at this amazing spectacle. In particular I was keen to check out the Classic Bike Racing. This event is run over two days with two riders competing on each bike. Day one starter is second rider on day two. There was a mix of regular classic racers and invited guests, but all had superbly prepared bikes. This was no parade, and all were there to win. Steve Parrish, commenting on one of my pictures said that it showed the paint from the chicane wall on his Helmet, just in case there was any doubting his commitment. 

Steve Parrish (c) FCM

New dad, TT Racer and now TV Celebrity Guy Martin went out first on Day one, but had a DNF on day two after his co-rider had an off. 

Guy Martin (c) FCM

The eventual Sheene Memorial Trophy winners were, 1st: Jeremy McWilliams and Duncan Fitchett, Manx Norton 2nd: Gary Johnson and Mick Grant, MV Agusta 3rd: Bill Swallow and Michael Russell, Manx Norton. 

Jeremy McWilliams & Duncan Fitchet Celibate victory (c) FCM

GP Retro du Puy Notre-Dame 

One Event I was not able to attend was the GP Retro du Puy Notre-Dame. Some of you may have seen the write up in the Classic Motorcycle Magazine. This is defiantly on our list for 2018. I have never heard of the event, but 2017 was the 21st time the streets of the little French town roads had been closed to make way for pack of 1920s and 30s machine to tear round this challenging track featuring chicanes and random Parvѐ.

Parc Ferme at du Puy Notre-Dame (c) E Wade

The event is expected to be held again in July 2018 so I will be looking out for an entry form. Check out the action from the 2017 event below.

I Fidanzati Della Morte

In 1957 Italian Film Director Romolo Marcellini released I Fidanzati Della Morte (Engaged to Death). The film went on general release in Italy and had a limited release in Europe and the UK. This film was particularly interesting as it included footage filmed at real race meetings and also included top riders of the day such as Geoff Duke Bill Lomas and Stanley Woods. Motorcycle Journalist Paolo Sormani said its like Valentino Rossi, Marquez, Lorenz, Dovizioso, Pedrosa, Zarco, Innone and Crutchlow just turning up as extras on a film today. 

The film disappeared until Motorcycle Film Makers at Rodaggio Film found a copy and decided to restore it for general consumption. The project which was beyond the financial means of the company was eventually financed via a crowd funding exercise. Fenland Classic Motorcycles got involved as we felt that the film represented an important snapshot into 1950’s racing culture. The film was also documented the last ever Milano-Taranto race as well as Motor- Cross racing which was just getting underway in Italy at this time. As soon as the likes of Giacomo Agostini and Paul d'Orleans got behind the project there seemed little doubt it would succeed and so in 2017 the film was completed and had its first screening in 60 years. I think it is important that we commend the people at Rodaggio film and all those out there who are saving our motorcycling heritage for future generations. There will be a review of the film itself in a couple of months, but The DVD which includes a 48 page booklet is available from our Bookshop.

The Fenland Classic Motorcycles Book shop is now fully up and running and the February Update will feature reviews of some of the products available.

Old Timer

Autumn 2017 UPDATE

BOOKS & DVDs for the Dark Evenings
With autumn upon us, it is time to check out the bike related reading and viewing for the winter months and if you have not yet read Mondo Enduro, now is the time to get hold of a copy and follow the exploits of a group of friends as they tackle a 40,000 mile round the world trip on Yamaha 350cc enduro bikes (unsupported). 

The book is compiled by motorcycle legend Ausin Vince, from the log and diaries of fellow riders Clive Greenhough Louis Bloom, Charles Plenty, Mark Friend, Nick Stubley and brother Gerald Vince. The exploits were serialised at the time on MTV and there is also a Video of the same name. 

Although the Video is fantastic, I think that you also need to read the book to get a feel of the day to day experiences. The route they took was monumental; taking in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, the former Soviet Union and the length of the American Continent. This journey took place in 1995-96, years before McGreggor and Borman past through some of the same places on the Long Way Round and Long Way Down trips. 

Mondo Enduro DVD is now available through our Shop at www.fenlandclassics.com

Dave Greenhough, younger brother of Mondo's Clive was determined to crack the trans siberian highway which beat the mondo Enduro Team. Dave was joined on his round the world trip, cristened Tera Circa by Matt Hill Charles Benner Austin and Gerald Vince. Terra Circa is another epic unsupported journey which is also available on DVD from our shop. 

 You now can buy these direct from us at From our online bookshop 

In 2013 after a period in the TV business Austin Vince was keen to hit the road again. This time the plan was to ride unsupported across the Sahara. How do you do that I hear you ask. Well in true Austin Vince fashion he go a mate to bury some fuel and provisions at strategic points, so what can possibly go wrong. Find out how he got on in  Mondo Sahara which is also available in our shop.

Commenting on Mondo Sahara Austin Vince said

 "The aim was, starting in London, to ride off-road, across Spain, Morocco and Western Sahara. With this behind us, we would meet up with Richard Kemplay of Beast of Burden. Whilst we were riding out, he would have been burying food, fuel and water across the deserts of Mauritania. Once we rendezvoused at the Mauritanian border post he would hand us a GPS plot of the supply dumps and off we’d lunge into the Empty Quarter of the Sahara. Englishmen and Americans, following a Garmin speck across the wilderness for 1200 miles. Each night locating and digging up the supplies for the next day. Nobody had done anything like this before. It was only going to be four weeks but would still be a class-A adventure!" 

This  should be on your viewing list this autumn (and now available on our website) Click Here for more info and a trailer. 

August 2017 UPDATE

July is the month for the Brooklands Motorcycle Show and this was the first event since the reopening of the Start/Finish Straight.

Anticipation builds for the start of the Test Hill Runs

The WW2 Bellman hanger, now a Grade 2 listed building, and the last of 10 temporary hangers built on the site, has now been restored and relocated to the side of its original position, revealing the original 1907-1939 track beneath. The contractors removed the hanger floor and found the track was still intact if a little lumpy in places.

There was as usual an array of bikes from all eras ascending Test Hill, whilst builders and manufacturers displayed bikes in the paddock area.

During the lunchbreak attention switched to the clubhouse paddock where the Grandsons of Bert Le Vack, Nigel Spring and Bert Denly were acquainted with their Grandfathers’ motorcycles.

Museum volunteers Roger Bird and Perry Barwick were instrumental in bringing the Grandsons together. Roger has researched the Norton racing heritage of the Spring and Denly families for many years, whilst Perry had a chance interaction via Instagram which led to Dale being united with the Brough Works Scrapper on which Herbert “Bert” Le Vack set a record of 129.06 for the flying Kilometre in 1929 at Arpajon in France. Perry said “For Roger and I it was a once in a lifetime event, seeing the grandsons together on the bikes in the paddock where their grandfathers raced some 90 years ago”

Paul Denly (left) Dale Le Vack, (centre) Johnathan Spring (Seated) and Tim Spring (in sidecar) soaked up the atmosphere as they were interviewed about memories of their famous Grandfathers whilst sitting astride the from the Brooklands Museum Collection made famous by their grandfathers.

Paul Denly interviewed aboard the Spring Norton MT3501 one of the 1927 Spring Norton Team Motorcycles.

Bert Denly with Norton MT3501 at a Brooklands Society Reunion in June 87 (c)Roger Bird

The Motorcycle Show event provides a unique opportunity for visitors to see the continuing marques of Triumphs, AJS’s, Francis Barnett’s and BMW’s against the bikes that made those brands famous back in the 20s and 30s.

Steve Hayes (R) with a Hollis Motorcycle & New Owner

Also at the show was a growing band of new builders such as Steve Hayes of Hollis Motorcycles. As we walked onto the banked circuit, Steve told me about the Hollis project explaining he prefers the term “new vintage” to refer to their bikes which use state of the art engineering to produce a modern bike inspired by a Norton Model 18. Look out for news more news about Hollis later in the year and if you can’t wait that long check out the Hollis Website here.

The Hollis on the Brooklands Banking

Return to Fenland Classic Motorcycles Home

Old Timer

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 2017 UPDATE

Montlhѐry Vintage Revival 2017

The Montlhery Pits

There can be no better feeling than getting an old bike running; or so I thought until I got an old bike back on a banked track with some 300 other 1920 & 30s vehicles at the Montlhѐry Vintage Revival on 6-7 May.

Waiting with Tony Baxter Brooklands Museum (L) & James Hewing (R) Nat Motorcycle Museum

The event is held every two years at the Montlhѐry Autodrome, a Brooklands type oval, banked circuit just outside Paris. So it was particularly fitting that I was part of the Brooklands Motorcycle Team who were there to showcase the ABC Marque as guests of the organisers Vincent Chamon & Jean-Frѐddѐric Frot.

The sun was shining as we unloaded the bikes on Friday, but this all changed on Saturday morning when the rain appeared. I was riding the Brooklands OK Supreme in the Motos GP and Racing class and we took to the drying track for a sighting lap behind the safety car, before being left to our own devices. 

The Racing circuit peels off outside the main oval after the Start/Finish straight and Turn one was a bit damp but ok on what was an excellent tarmac surface more used to providing a test-bed for modern French cars. Oil flags were waving as I approached Virage du Fay a sharp hairpin, behind a smoking Brooklands Earle Cotton Jap. The wet and oil soaked surface had been spread with sharp sand which only added to the drifting sensation we felt as we tip-toed both bikes round.

Found some grip on the Start/Finish Straight

I found the grip as I accelerated down the straight into the chicane that led out onto the banked section of the circuit which only really works at high speed. The height of the banking is awesome, but mindful I was on a borrowed bike and the state of the weather I kept it sensible as I continued the session.

Fred Wade (BSA Empire Star) & Mike Digby (Triumph L2/1) of Brooklands Museum
wait in the pits for their Run

It was a truly memorable experience despite the challenging conditions and I hope to be back in better weather for the next Revival in 2019.

The Banking has to be seen to be believed 

Old Timer