Honda-SOHC
Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: ianmck on May 06, 2022, 06:15:51 PM
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Motorcycle racing returns to Aintree after a 3 year wait.
Over20 races scheduled, various classes including classic, s/bikes, sidecars etc.
£10 entry for a full days entertainment, makes for a fabulous day out.
1st Meeting this year Saturday 14th May.
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Raced there. Very short track, only has around 4 turns and a hairpin at the bottom of the long straight. Fond memories.
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Raced there, left in an ambulance.
Amazing history, the track was part of the British Grand Prix circuit, there’s footage on YouTube.
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I have some very exciting memories from Aintree in the late 70's early 80's. I used to know Weslake Triumph Twin legend Gary Bryan very well and often helped out where I could.
https://www.rgb-racing.com/about.html Bob Smith who was a very well respected racer https://lovelessengineering.blogspot.com/2012/09/bob-smith.html used to ride for him.
Together the bike and man were a formidable combination, but like the Daleks, meeting a flight of stairs, Bob had one issue, he wasn't a very big bloke, so when it came to a push start race as they often did at Aintree, he often used to struggle to get the big twin to start.
One Saturday afternoon, there was bit of a showdown, between Bob and another racer Paul Iddon who was campaigning a no expense spared, highly tuned Suzuki GSX1100.
The flag dropped and off they started running, except I heard the starter motor whinning on the Suzuki (Which was supposed to be disconnected if I recall) and in an instant he was riding off to certain victory whilst Bob was still struggling to get the Triumph to start. By the time he got the bike running all the other riders were already half a lap away. Bob went after them and after a couple of laps caught up and started working his way through to the front. On the final lap he was behind the Paul on the back straight. I shouted out to Gary, what a shame he couldn't have got it started sooner, he would have won this. Gary looked at me and laughed and said he's already won it, watch and learn lad. So as Iddon started braking for the final bend before the start finish, Bob Smith swept past him, braking much much later before the final corner. The Weslake was much less powerful than the Suzuki, but the Suzuki weighed a lot more and didn't have the brakes of the Triumph. So Bob won the race, to say I was ecstatic was an understatement! The body language was very telling after the race. As we sat in the paddock celebrating the win, he came round and said to Gary, goes well for an old twin doesn't it. But I Bet you have to stick some hours in keeping it running. Gary replied, your right. I have to rebuild at least once a year!
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Great memories guys! MrDavo Not good! 🤕🤕🤕