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G GOODBYE GENE G Th he life and tim mes of ‘Burritto’
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! O T S FAU It’s
i g of the tiddlers Kin The 125cc Champ who changed the world
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WHAT’SINSIDE 006 From the Classic Racer archive Images from across the ages that we use big because they deserve to be used big. Photographs as nature intended.
010 The CR Prize Crossword As ever, we bring you the best prize in the classic racing scene (in the term of crosswords, that is). Not only do you get to complete the CR Crossword, thus proving your racing knowledge, but one of you will win a superb Richa leather jacket too.
012 Readers write We’ve received another bulging postbag at CR Towers and this is a mere selection of the best letters. If we had more pages, we'd print more of what you write to us about. Always a good read with varied views.
015 Paddock Gossip Mr Malcolm has been ear-to-the-ground to bring you the stories that matter most in the classic racing quarter.
020 Line Art This month we give you the exquisitelybeautiful 1981 Yamaha TZ250H, expertly drawn by Mick Ofield.
026 SUBSCRIBE And find the perfect way to have CR delivered to your door, earlier than it goes on sale in the shops, and for less cash from your pocket, too. It's a no-brainer.
028 Fausto Gresini Without doubt, one of the toughest racers to ever take the GP circus. Gresini was the epitome of the 1980s on the small capacity machines and continues that ethos towards going round in circles even today as a MotoGP bigwig. This is his story.
036 The BMW Racer When Oscar Liebmann wanted to do something special in the racing world he turned to BMW. The resulting RS500 OL Special built in the 1960s opened eyes and dyno charts in the pursuit for power that delivered a road racing champion to the top step of the podium.
042 Gene Romero He was one of the true stars of the 1970s and whether you only heard the name Romero as part of On Any Sunday or got to see him take part in the Transatlantic Trophy events, Gene's legacy tended to stay with you. Classic Racer says goodbye to the man with a steely determination to take the fight to others.
048 Proof of concept: Ducati’s 1971 V-twin Desmo GP When a bunch of Italian engineers had a clear idea of how to go GP racing in the 500 class at the start of the 1970s, they only had one route of action open to them: build the thing and show the factory bosses how quick it could go. Here’s what they made.
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GOODBYE G G GENE Th he life and times of ‘Burritto’
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O! STO! UST FAU King off the tiddlerrs Ki The 125cc Champ who changed the world
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ISSUE199 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 EDITOR Tony Carter jclements@mortons.co.uk
SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Paul Deacon
PUBLISHER Tim Hartley thartley@mortons.co.uk
CIRCULATION MANAGER Steven O’Hara
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Don Morley, Michael Scott, Malcom Wheeler, Ben Rumbold, Norm DeWitt, Alan Cathcart, Phil Aynsley, Phil Wain, Ross Mowbray, Lenny Hartley, Chris Pereira, John Watterson, Peter Farragher.
MARKETING MANAGER Charlotte Park
PRODUCTION EDITOR Sarah Wilkinson DESIGNER Michael Baumber PICTURE DESK P Paul Fincham P Jonathan Schofield J GROUP ADVERTISING G MANAGER M Sue S Keily DIVISIONAL D ADVERTISING MANAGER M Billy Bil Manning
PUBLISHING DIRECTOR Dan Savage COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR Nigel Hole EDITORIAL ADDRESS Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR UK WEBSITE www.classicracer.com GENERAL QUERIES AND BACK ISSUES 01507 529529 24hr answerphone help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk ARCHIVE ENQUIRIES Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk
ADVERTISING Kate Hayes 01507 529576 khayes@mortons.co.uk Chloe Jones 01507 529576 cjones@mortons.co.uk
054 Doohan: Story of an end
072 Pre-TT Classic
Michael Scott tells the story of the final outings of the five-time 500cc world champion. At a time where mighty Mick ruled supreme, and nobody could get close, some even opined the end of the Premier Class – such was the impact of Doohan calling time.
John Watterson headed out to the blossoming meeting on the roads to see who was fast, who wasn’t and who was turning a lot of the event into a family race-off. Lovely stuff.
SUBSCRIPTION Full subscription rates (but see page 24 for offer): (12 months 6 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £27. Export rates are also available – see page 24 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value AddedTax.
078 Louigi Moto
DISTRIBUTION Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London E14 5HU. 0203 787 9001.
060 John Williams: Part 2 The continuation of the story of JW, a rider’s rider who was as popular in the paddock as he was talented on track.
069 Whatever happened to? This issue Chris Pereira delves into the archive to remember and tell the story of Michael O’Rourke.
Based in the South West of the UK, Louigi Moto specialises in making (and keeping) Ducatis fast. We talk to Richard Llewellin.
083 The Bob Mac Lenny Hartley has been trackside to capture the rigours and results from the 2019 edition of this landmark race event. Here’s his report on who was particularly fast, or not.
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CLASSIC RACER (USPS:706-150) is published bi-monthly by Mortons Media Group Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 6LZ UK. USA subscriptions are $30 per year from Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. Periodical Postage is paid at Bancroft, WI and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to CLASSIC RACER, c/o Motorsport Publications LLC, 7164 Cty Rd N #441, Bancroft WI 54921. 715-572-4595 chris@ classicbikebooks.com Printed by William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton ISSN No 1470-4463 © Mortons Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
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6 ClassicRacer
Dammit YEAR: 1978 // LOCATION: BRANDS HATCH There comes a moment in every racer’s life when he’s sure he’s passed the slippery stuff – when he’s seen the obstacle in front of him, identified the course of action needed to avoid it and ridden the correct line. In the F750 event at Brands, Jeff Sayle (Yamaha) had manfully avoided the cement
powder-covered oil slick going into Druids – the white-clouded evidence of a previous race mishap by another rider. With that bit of focus-pulling race decisionmaking aside, Jeff could really concentrate on getting out of the corner as fast as possible – full lean angle, fix the stare,
nice dollop of throttle. Dammit. A fraction too much lean or a fraction too much gas? Either way, the result was the same. At least it didn’t happen on the front brake, slipping across cement dust a few feet earlier. Photo: Nick Nicholls Collection at Mortons Archive
CLASSIC RACER ARCHIVE
Photo: Don Morley
T-minus five minutes... YEAR: 1987 // LOCATION: ANDERSTORP, SWEDEN // IT’S THE: 125CC GRID When Don Morley sent us this image for our Fausto feature on page 28 of this very issue, we had a problem. We desperately wanted to show you this photo, but we had no room in which to do it.The solution: put it into the Archive slot for this episode of Classic Racer. So here we are then, an additional bit of racing goodness on the subject of the small bikes in 1980s GP racing. We give you the pole position
man, Fausto Gressini on bike number 2 (far left of the grid) with a handy bottle of Coca-Cola on the floor next to him should the Italian need a caffeinated, sugary glug before the off. Anyone out there fancy having a go at identifying the rest of the grid? It’s the 125cc class, Sweden and the year is 1987. So many shell suit jackets on show. In the words of that man Walker, M... ‘Go, go go!’
ClassicRacer 9
Compiled by: Ben Rumbold, MotoXwords
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Welcome to the fourth Classic Racer crossword. Put your racing knowledge to the test and complete the puzzle to be in with a chance of winning this stunning Richa Toulon 2 riding jacket worth £296.99.
RICHA TOULONET2 RIDING JACK WORTH 9
£296.9
H
ere’s the next instalment in our Classic Racer Crossword series. If you’re the first person to havve their correct and completed entry drawn out of the upturne ed helmet, you’ll be the proud owner of this Richa Toulon 2 jacket. For this year, Richa has updated this modern classic with a lovely dose of modern tech and protection amid the classic styling and muted colours. The Toulon 2 aims to exceed its predecessor’s success with a brand-new high-quality
Across
1 & 4 Across: Swiss small bike maestro who took the last two 50cc GP titles and the first two 80cc titles. (6,10) 8: Fast Dutchman who John Kocinski jokingly called ‘Wilcoburger’. (10) 11: The version of the 34 across engine that Mick Doohan chose over the Big Bang version. (8) 12: Traditionally the northernmost venue of any British championship race series. (9) 15: Antonio, aluminium frame design pioneer who worked closely with Sito Pons for many years. (5) 17: Early German bike makers who sported an eagle logo – their name in their native tongue. (5) 18: Guido, 1950s small bike ace who went on to win a karting world championship. (4)
For more information on the jacket – or to find your nearest dealer – go to: www.richa.eu.
leather. The full-grain leather used in the Toulon 2 has been hand-treated, meaning each jacket has a unique look which will change with wear. Building on the success of the original Toulon, the Toulon 2 has the same sporty
20: Godfrey, last man ever to take a single-cylinder machine to a 500cc GP win. (4) 21: Fumio, factory Yamaha man who took a 250cc GP win and a bronze medal in the early 1960s. (3) 23: French chassis makers who campaigned a Yamahaengined 500 with the likes of Niall Mackenzie and Dominique Sarron. (3) 24: Shah__, original venue for the Malaysian GP that ran for its first seven years. (4) 27: Birmingham-based carburettor makers used by the biggest marques at the height of the British motorcycle industry. (4) 28: Traditional first corner at Silverstone where Barry Sheene ‘waved’ to Kenny Roberts. (5) 30: The Bends leading to the Gooseneck on the Isle Of Man TT course. (5) 32: Not a country with a famous
urban look with a detachable material hood and features D3O armour at the shoulders, elbows and back, ensuring you’ll be safe as well as stylish and comfortable. The soft neoprene collar fastens with a press stud closure, the
racing history, but site of a recent viral video of two racers fighting on-track after a collision. (5,4) 34: 500cc two-stroke model that took 10 individual world titles before the four-strokes rose again. (5,3) 38: One of the fastest sections of the Dundrod circuit not far out from the start/finish line. (6,4) 39: See 26 Down 40: Manufacturer that still holds the fastest average speed of any bike Grand Prix in history. (6)
Down
1 & 19 & 34 Down: Without doubt the biggest endurance race in Japan with an illustrious list of winners. (6,5,4) 2: South African who became one of the few privateer world champions of the last 40 years. (7) 3: Historically you’d score two
waist is adjustable and the sleeve cuff can be changed using the zip. Available in two colour options – black and black/red – and in sizes 36-56, the Toulon 2 has an RRP of £269.99 (3650) and £296.99 (52-56).
points for this position, more recently you’d get seven. (5) 5: Before online entries you had to sign a set of these to get into races. (4) 6: Christian Le___, campaigned a red Elf machine with little success in the mid-80s. (5) 7 & 16 Down: Originally bikes ran with two, in later years just one has been used to handle back end suspension. (4,5) 9: Older brother Dean, or still active younger brother James, both strong BSB contenders. (7) 10: German federation for 4- and 2-wheeled motorsport. (4) 13: The first half of the titles for 1 across came aboard these tiddly machines….. (8) 14: ….. who had taken their first titles in the class over a decade earlier with Mr De Vries here. (3) 15: Gresini’s Garelli team-mate who couldn’t quite take a win on the dominant
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HERE’S THE LEGAL BIT THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW To be in with a chance of winning, fill in your details and return the completed crossword to: Classic Racer September/October 2019 Competition, Mortons Media Group Ltd, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR. Competition closes: 9am, 11 October, 2019
Mr / Mrs / Miss / Ms (please circle) First name:
Surname:
If you don’t want to cut up your issue of Classic Racer then we will accept a photocopy of the completed crossword and the completed form.You can keep your CR pristine and intact. We will print the answers to this issue’s puzzle in the next edition of Classic Racer – you can find the answers to the last one below.
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To be in with a chance of winning, fill in your details on the form and return the completed crossword to: Classic Racer September/October 2019 Competition, Mortons Media Group Ltd, MortonWay, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR Competition Closes: 9am, 11 October, 2019
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Email: Telephone: twin-cylinder machine. (8) 16: See 7 Down 19: See 1 Down 22: Formerly Kiwi-birdshaped national championship circuit in Leicestershire. (7) 25: These became helpful to keep the wind off the face as bikes got faster. (5) 26 & 39 Across: Successor
to the home of 1 down for the Japanese GP, to give its full title. (4,4,6) 29: Masahiro, former All-Japan 250cc champ who was a podium contender in the GPs between 1987 and 1992. (7) 31: Took the only non-Garelli win in the 1987 125cc title chase at the end of the season. (6)
33: Onboard fuel carriers. (5) 34: See 1 Down 35: Mr Polen, Ducati’s first WSB-winning American on the 888. (4) 36: Mr Terol, for now the last ever two-stroke mounted world motorcycle champion. (4) 37: Like 10 down, but Spanish and only for motorcycles. (4)
Here’s the answers to last issue’s Classic Racer Crossword: Across 1 John Player Special, 7 Rolf Biland, 10 Pepe, 12 Ducati, 13 Yellow, 14 Ioda, 15 Scott, 18 Mamola, 19 Dust, 21 Score, 22 Wes, 23 Ken, 24 Chase, 25 Lomas, 27 Wimmer, 29 Kanaya, 32 Drum, 33 Lansivuori, 34 & 5 Down Scarborough Spring Cup
Down 1 & 18 Down Jeremy McWilliams, 2 Hill Climbs, 3 Radial Tyres, 4 Pepsi, 6 Luis D’Antin, 8 Brooklands, 9 Lid, 11 Endo, 16 Cecchinello, 17 Suzuki RGV, 20 Takuma Aoki, 26 MZ, 28 Racing, 29 Kymco, 30 AJS, 31 KR JR
Classic Racer, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR.
CRletters@mortons.co.uk
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If you want to get in touch…
Then please do. We read every letter, email and comment sent to us and we enjoy hearing from you. Let us know if you’ve an event coming up, a motorcycle you own or just want to tell us about something you find interesting in Classic Racer’s world.
A REPLY FROM PETE CRAWFORD
IT S... AND IT’S AND... WITH WITH... Dear CR Yet another great mag (#198 July/August) and the where and when picture did indeed get me thinking, so many cross issues to note. To start, the two Nortons made me think 1973 but then Ago is on a Yamaha so it has to be 1974 (and Sheene without his number 7!), but when in the season? Well, Peter Williams had his big accident at Oulton Park on the August bank holiday, so it has to be earlier than that. Paul Smart, number three, had his big crash in the race of the year meeting in September, so ditto. Also 1974 was Percy’s last year on the Triumph Three before his Yamaha move. Is that the Lincoln Imp Steve Machin (22) sitting behind Peter Williams? Steve was killed in the accident at Cadwell in 1974, so to make a stab at it, I would say the year is 1974. The track: well a mixed race like that, Mallory Park.The meeting: the Post TT. Looking through the field, apart from the big stars: Ago, Read, Smart, Sheene, Croxford, Williams, “Tempi”. Moving back: Pat Mahoney, Percy Tait, Steve Machin (?), a young John Newbold,Tony Rutter in the
STAR LETTER PRIZE
Castrol leathers, Phil Carpenter and Charlie Williams, both having won TTs this year, not sure on the number 28 but is it John France? Looking to the crowd, just behind Sheene’s helmet, is that a fresh-faced Mick Grant? And is the official looking down at number 28 the late Colin Armes? These pictures bring back many memories of a golden time in racing for so many people and great events too: Post TT, King of Brands, Race of Aces and Oulton Gold Cup. All with world stars there competing. How racing has changed! We do though, have Classic Racer to bring back to us the stories and memories of the golden period, so to all the team keep up the work on a great magazine. Adrian Pallett Nuneaton Thank you for the kind words Adrian, and bravo on the complete (and how!) listing of faces in the image. I’m unsure about Granty in the crowd – it certainly could be him. Does anyone out there know if it is? Tony
Remember to keep sending in your letters. We want to hear your stories and find out what you think of the magazine. Each issue we’ll pick a star letter, the writer of which will win a superb package courtesy of Duke Video!
12 ClassicRacer
Dear Dick I’m so glad that you enjoyed the recent Ray Knight and Mick Boddice pieces. I’ve always had a soft spot for the chairs and production racers. They never quite commanded the same status as some of the other national classes but they invariably threw up the toughest battles, huge entertainment and all on a shoestring too. A piece on BFRC? I’d love to, but the truth is I’ve hit a few deadends in terms of tracking down club records, I’ve tried in the past. While the clubs who sustained the production racing scene in the 1960s and 70s – the Bantam Club, British Formula, Midland, etc – had memberships nearer four figures than three, virtually all have gone to the wall, taking their records with them. The racers still abound however! As such, expect an article soon on Clive Wall – BFRC Champion 1970 and 1971 if memory serves me right? – and perhaps one or two more. Editor Carter permitting!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY SEE P26 FOR DETAILS
I KNOW THAT MOTORCYCLE! Dear CR To clear up the doubt of which model of Honda Bill Smith was riding when he won the 350cc class of the 1968 NW200, I have to say it was neither of the models that were listed in the star letter. It was a CR77 305cc four-stroke twin cylinder Honda. It was the larger capacity version of the CR72 twin cylinders fourstroke 250cc Honda. I got the chance to race a CR72 250 Honda in the 1965 NW200 250 race; I finished in second position behind the winner Tommy Robb. He beat me by one second but I had the fastest lap of the race. Many thanks for the article in CR November/December 2016 of my ride on Glen Henderson’s 250 CR Honda. Len Ireland Co Antrim
I KNOW THAT MOTORCYCLE! NO. 2
Dear CR In answer to Joe Edmunson’s query about the 350 class of the 1968 North West 200 I think he will win his bet. Colin Seeley, in his book ‘Racer and the Rest’ quotes the winning machine as a Honda 305cc and he should know, as he
was there. The CR77 was not generally for sale and only released on occasions to works or semi-works approved racers, which Bill Smith was. Mick Walker, in his book ‘Classic Japanese Racing Motorcycles’ says that a race-kitted CYB350RC was first displayed at the Tokyo show in October 1968, so it is unlikely that Bill had one earlier in the year. Great magazine, look forward to each edition. Peter Tipper Email
I KNOW THAT MOTORCYCLE! NO. 3
Dear CR I’m pretty sure that the result in the 350 class at the 1968 North West 200 was Bill Smith from my childhood hero Brian Steenson and John Hartle in third! If my memory serves me correctly, Bill Smith was riding a production based 305 Honda. Unfortunately for me, I remember that day for different reasons. Prior to the roads closing, I was sitting on the grass bank at Juniper Hill, when I got hit on the side of my face by an exhaust of a motorcycle which had just knocked a pedestrian down.
An ambulance was called, but I scarpered, as I wanted to see the racing. I got treatment from St John Ambulance and watched the racing with a tea towel wrapped around my face. I think Rod Gould won the 250 on the same day on his black Yamaco (Yamaha engine in Bultaco frame). I was only nine years of age, so I hope my memories of this race are correct. Keep up the wonderful work in this magazine; I could do with this being a fortnightly publication. Baylon McCaughey Email
Remembering the roads Dear CR The article in CR #197 about the making of the film, The Road Racers, got me thinking – always dangerous for a pensioner... I saw the film on BBC2 when first shown and was inspired to have a go at between the hedges racing before making my MGP debut in 1981. I entered the Cookstown 100 in the spring of 1981, with an 860 Ducati, held on the Sherrygroom course (seven x seven-mile laps). The whole experience was unlike anything I had witnessed in the seven years of circuit racing beforehand. No formal practise, just two sighting laps, scrutineering in a tent at the top of a slope in what became a muddy field, fantastically helpful and friendly organisers and spectators (remember this was in the time of the ‘troubles’) and a course which had high speed bumpy sections, damp under trees, cow muck crossings, steep climbs and jumps. So what was the outcome? I got a good start and managed to finish seventh in the 1000cc class. Delighted. The post-race prize-giving party at Milton Thom’s Royal Hotel in Cookstown was very memorable in that everyone seemed to want to buy me a drink... My only sad memory
was that Tommy Black, the club’s secretary, who had done so much to help me, was subsequently killed doing his job as a fireman. If any readers were at that event and took photos, are there possibly any of me? If so please contact me via CR. In the 1981 500 Newcomers race I took the lead on the roads at Kirkmichael on the first lap but suffered a seized engine on the second at Sulby when in second place and a 30sec gap over third place – one of hundreds
of tales of woe from IOM competitors... Roger E B White Email Hello Roger. Lovely memories there, thanks for sending this letter to us. If anyone has any photos of you, we’ll happily put them in touch with you. Good hunting! Tony
ClassicRacer 13
14 ClassicRacer
PaddockGossip Compiled by Malc Wheeler // Send your classic racing news to:
mwheeler@mortons.co.uk
Photograph: Mortons Archive
Webster stars at Stafford
Steve Webster, the most successful sidecar racer of all time, will be guest of honour at the Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show this October. He always attracted a large audience during his racing days, and now fans have the chance to meet the former world champion, getting to know more about his memorable career. There will also be an exclusive interview by resident compere and racing star, Steve Plater. Webster won his first title in 1987, in only his fourth season of world championship events, with Tony Hewitt in the chair.
His further two titles were added in 1988 and 1989, before claiming another title in 1991 with partner Gavin Simmons. A gap of six years followed, before he claimed three back-to-back titles in 1997, 98 and 99 with David James. In 2000, Paul Woodhead joined Webster, winning the world title that year before adding two more in 2003 and 2004. Along the way to securing his record 10 world titles, ‘Webbo’ notched up an unprecedented 31 consecutive pole positions in world championship races and clinched
62 world championship wins. His illustrious 25-year career came to an end in 2005 when he announced his retirement from the sport after health problems prevented him from finishing the season. The Carole Nash Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show takes place on October 19/20, at Stafford County Showground. For more information go to the Classic Bike Shows website, www.classicbikeshows.com. Advance tickets are on sale now, with a 20% saving on the gate price: www. classicmagazines.co.uk/stafford
Photograph: Julie Wheeler
FESTIVAL OF 1000 BIKES Now back to its roots, the VMCC Festival of 1000 Bikes proved hugely popular with those on track and spectators alike. Always a favourite with the crowd is the John Cooper and Giacomo Agostini reenactment of the famous Race of theYear dice they had, and both legends returned to the paddock to provide the fun and games. The combination of an open paddock, stunning race bikes, live music in the evening and great British summer weather made for a successful event at Mallory Park.
ClassicRacer 15
Photograph: Nick Nicholls Collection at Mortons Archive.
REGULAR PADDOCK GOSSIP
Welcome Thank you
FAREWELL ITOH-SAN Words:Tommy Robb
It is with great sadness that I write this tribute to a long-time Japanese Suzuki Team icon who was one of Suzuki’s flagship riders and my friend of 59 years. When we first met each other at the 1960 TT, whilst sharing the same hotel, I was riding as a member of the Geoff Monty Team. His name (unknown way back then) was Mitsuo Itoh, a 22-year-old employee of the Suzuki Motorcycle Company in Japan. His lifelong career was spent with Suzuki, working up through the ranks as an engineer and then joining the factory racing team to ride alongside his world champion team-mate Hugh Anderson. He supported him in the 50cc, 125cc and occasionally the 250 class on board the rather frightening 250 four, which in those days was prone to rapid engine seizures and christened ‘Whispering Death’ by short time Suzuki Team rider, Australian Jack Ahearn. When I first met Itoh in 1960, not only did I share a hotel with him but that same year we also managed to share a hospital ward in Nobles Hospital. This was brought about due to the fact that for the first early morning practice that year we all set out at 5.15am, in thick fog, and this caused many, many crashes on the mist-shrouded mountain section. I ended up in hospital with a broken neck, with Mitsuo Itoh in the next bed with a broken leg, plus Eric Oliver world sidecar champion and his passenger, and Ernst Degner (MZ) all admitted with various assorted injuries. Little did I realise that within the next couple of years I would be competing against Mitsuo and his Suzuki as a member of the Honda
team. In 1963, Mitsuo Ito became the first and only Japanese rider to win a TT Race, when he took the 50cc Suzuki to the top of the rostrum. It was a wonderfully proud moment to have a Japanese rider and a Japanese machine on the top step of the TT podium for the first time in history. He was also involved in Ernst Degner’s induction into the Suzuki team when he defected from the MZ team to Suzuki in 1960, which led to a follow-up of numerous world championships, brought about by the increased reliability and horsepower that Degner had now added to Suzuki’s package. Mitsuo Itoh had a little known but important race car win under his belt, when in 1970 he won the Junior 7 Challenge Cup in a single-seater car at The Japanese Fuji Circuit at the very respectable average speed of 130.90mph. As one of Suzuki’s most loyal and longestt serving racing employees, Ito was extremely popular with his fellow team-mates and fellow competitors. He helped pave the wayy over his 60-plus years with the company and proved to be a major part in that company’s outstanding success. So, Mitsuo, we will all miss your smile, your ability, your friendship and thank you, for giving us all those magical Suzuki moments in a career which brought the Japanese into our racing lives in such a rewarding and memorable manner. You will always be with us, Ito-san. Sayonara.
GOSSIP FROM THE CRMC PADDOCK
Making the world’s favourite motorcycle racing publication isn’t always a smooth task. Malc and I spend ages looking at possible features and iconic motorcycles before deciding on the direction of a certain issue. Then it’s into negotiation with writers and photographers who are widely regarded as experts in their field – sorting out the amount of pages and working closely with our terrific advertising team (credit to Chloe here, she’s doing a wonderful job – if she calls you, be nice) so that we put the magazine together as smartly as we can. Inevitably, there’s a slip-up here and a toe-trip there.To err is human and all that. And very occasionally we don’t have the right photograph for what we need.This is – sometimes – where the great god of publishing appears and planets fall into line. As such, we were contacted by Matthew Richardson, Social History Curator for the excellent Manx Museum in Douglas onThe Island. Matthew explained how interested he was to see our John Williams article (first part) in the last CR issue – I hope he’s as taken in with our second part in this issue too. Matthew sent us the images you can see in the article this time – they are wonderful. In addition, he sent us the photo of the helmet (below). Matthew proudly explained: “In our TT collection we have a helmet which John wore at the 1978 event. At a subsequent meeting a young fan asked him for his auto ograph. John reached in nside his van, and gave him this very helmet, saying it was his old one. “This act of spontaneous generosity fits exactly with everything that I have been told about Jo ohn Williams, by people who knew him.” Same here, Matthew. Isn’t that a wonderful way to be remembered? Thank you to the Manx Museum, Matthew and John Williams for an endearing moment not lost in time.
FIM Europe Vintage Road Race Championship The first round of the 2019 FIM Europe Vintage Road Race Championship was held at Anderstorp in Sweden, with four riders from the UK making the trip to the former Grand Prix circuit. Richard Peers-Jones took
16 ClassicRacer
maximum points in the F/Era 350 class, with fellow Brits Peter Howarth and Colin Sleigh making it a UK lock-out of the podium. In the F/Era 1300cc class, Paul Allender and his TZ750 took
the win in the first race but had problems on Sunday on the warm-up lap and failed to score. The final round of the FIM Europe Vintage Road Race Championship will be held at the brilliant 3km Pau Arnos
circuit in South West France on September 28/29. The supplementary regulations and entry forms are now available on the FIME website tinyurl.com/ y4ucemng or from John Davidson: john.davidson@crmc.co.uk
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