Classic Racer September/October 2017

MOTO GUZZI'S500V8 CARCANO'S UNIQUE MASTERPIECE

SHEENE UNSEEN

PART ONE

NEVERSEENBEFORE PICTURES FROM NEW BOOK

#187

www.classicracer.com where legends live on...

GREA ATEST COMEB BACK EVER?

THE 1964 DUTCH GP JIM REDMAN DOMINA ATES

PRETTCLASSIC PRE TTCLASSIC GETTING QUICK ON THE ISLAND

GRAND PRIX1975

THE GOLDEN ERA'S MOST FRANTIC YEAR!

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WHAT’SINSIDE 006 From the Classic Racer archive Two great moments from racing’s past that typify what we're about. Both iconic moments captured by two of the world’s best motorcycle racing photographers. Each image is a snapshot of a much bigger story that shaped the racing world to come.

010 Readers Write Another instalment of your thoughts on track-related life and the things that go along with it, be it in the past, present or future.

012 Paddock Gossip Mallory’s efforts for the Bonanza, loads of Classic TT news and Spa fall under Malc’s watchful eye this time.

018 Line Art

Another beautiful example of Mick Ofield’s mastery with the line. Number 2 in the series and we’ve got a beautiful 1963 G50 Metisse for you to marvel at.

020 Subscribe to Classic Racer

038 Sheene Unseen Bloomsbury, the book company, has released the Barry Sheene tome that is an‘Official Photographic Celebration’of Bazza.We really like the book and enjoyed the pictures very much indeed. So much so that we’re bringing you a slither of the selection here, PLUS we have 10 copies of the book, signed by Freddie Sheene, to give away.

044 ICON Under the skin, up close and very personal with the 1957 Moto GuzziV8 500. Look at the exquisite cylinders. Go on, look at them. Aren’t they some of the prettiest things you’ve ever seen bolted to a motorcycle?Yes.We agree with you there.

052 Potts McIntyre – PartTwo The concluding part of a fascinating tale of two men’s dedicated pursuit of going fast and how it impacted on the racing scene of the time.

062 Back in the day: 1975’s GP season gets underway

Would you like your issue of Classic Racer to arrive on your doormat earlier than you can find it in the shops? For a bit less money, too? Then here’s where you can get all the information you need for this to happen.

Important for many reasons – not least of all the huge grids of the time, but also because this year marked the end of the fourstrokes for a long period in the premier class.

022 Greatest performance ever?

Because CR runs every couple of months, we’re tied to very long publication deadlines so occasionally events can only make the next available issue. Such as now. Here’s our report from the excellent John Watterson on the 2017 Pre-TT Classic event.Well worth the wait.

It’s a lifelong debate, but what do YOU think was the greatest one-time performance by a racer? Of all time? One Classic Racer writer says it’s a clear-cut case of one very special day in the hands of Mr Jim Redman.

Feel free to write in and tell us why this assertion might not be accurate, in your opinion.

030 Whiffling Clara There are many reasons why this 1931 motorcycle has such a landmark place in the foundations of racing. And Alan Turner explains the story behind the two-wheeled mechanical marvel (for the time, for the time...).

068 Pre-TT Classic

076 Pro-Amming, again The sparsely-run return to the old days of the old boys taking on the young bucks headed North of the Border to get the action in Scotland and CR went along to watch. Just like old times in the company of Messrs Mackenzie and Carter.

080 Fierce: The Irish Scene Our very own Mark McCloskey has been watching the goings-on in classic racing on the Emerald Isle with interest. It’s been a helluva season so far and Mark brings you up to speed with what’s been happening on track and road.

ISSUE187 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2017 EDITOR Tony Carter tcarter@mortons.co.uk

SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER Paul Deacon

PUBLISHER Tim Hartley thartley@mortons.co.uk

CIRCULATION MANAGER Steven O’Hara

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE Malc Wheeler, Ben Waters, Alan Cathcart, Mick Ofield, Frank Melling, Graham Lawlor, Russ Lee, Jan Burgers, Mark McCloskey, Andy Findlay, MikeYiend, AlanTurner, PhillipTooth, John Watterson, Larry Carter, Bonnie Lane.

MARKETING MANAGER Charlotte Park

PRODUCTION EDITOR Sarah Wilkinson SENIOR DESIGNER Kelvin Clements DESIGNERS Michael Baumber Libby Fincham

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

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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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CLA LASSIC A RA RACER A ARCHIVE

CORNER: GERRARDS // YEAR: 1978 // TRACK: MALLORY PARK // PAT HENNEN TRIES TO BREAK AWAY FROM KENNY ROBERTS Pat Hennen was on something of a roll at this event.

He was the top point scorer in theTransatlantic Trophy in 1978; two years before he had become the first American to win a Grand Prix in 1976 (Imatra, Finland – it was his debut GP year) and at this moment in time, as the picture was taken, nobody could get close.

Following, going into Gerrards, is Kenny Roberts.

His 750Yamaha forced to suck in great mechanical lungfuls of exhaust from the 652 Suzuki ahead.

Kenny went on to win the race (despite the sunshine, it was cold) which grated on Pat somewhat.

It was an unfitting final outing for Hennen at the Leicestershire circuit before the Isle of ManTT crash in the Senior a matter of weeks later, that would end his career.

Photo: Mortons Archive – Nick Nicholls Collection

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CLASSIC RACER ARCHIVE

PLACE: START/FINISH // YEAR: 1993 // TRACK: SUZUKA // THE START OF THE 8-HOUR There’s a very often said truism in racing: “You can’t win a race in the first lap, but you can lose it.”

In light of this – and especially with eight hours of pretty-fast racing in front of you, you might want to give yourself a moment.

Take in the job ahead and settle into some quick laps.You don't want to get all over-excited and then end up in the gravel trap on lap two.

In 1993, 24 years ago, no such luxuries of a relaxed, starting pace were afforded to Daryl Beattie.Yep, that’s him on the bike at the front of the push-off.

And you may notice that Beattie is getting a helpful ‘hand’ from fellow Aussie and five-times 500GP World Champion Mick Doohan, who is looking as quick with his hands on the seat of the factory Honda as he ever looked with his leathers on.

With friends like that...

Photo: Mortons Archive/Mark Wernham Collection

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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. If you’ve an event coming up, a motorcycle you own or just want to let us know about something you find interesting in Classic Racer’s world.

MY MEMORY OF MIKE HAILWOOD Dear CR A sunny morning practice at a very full Braddan Bridge in 1967, it was just like a race day, with everyone waiting for Mike and the Honda.Then that fantastic howl came from Quarter Bridge to Braddan, in round the left-hander into the dip and everyone stood up to look at their idol, and Mike noticed.

He looked up and gave a big nod to everyone, how we all smiled and chuckled – a memory forever.

Then in 1978 I met Mike at a garage I worked at as a car sprayer, he wanted his crash hat painted. I got the job, ‘wonderful‘ he said to me on picking it up adding, ‘God I wish I could do something like that’ and I said I wished I could ride a bike – we laughed. I had my photo taken with him and some of the other lads I worked with.

A few years ago I walked up to David Hailwood and said: “I painted your dad’s crash hat in 1978,” he was so surprised. I had a good natter with him as well.

Peter Trimnell, Malew Isle of Man

Hello Peter – Thank you very much for the letter. As the man who painted the helmet, how do you feel it compares to others of the time and since, in terms of celebrity? Is that helmet as featured as a modern Valentino Rossi helmet? Are there more images of it than Barry’s Duck motif helmets? Where does the helmet rank in terms of fame?

Tony

STAR LETTER PRIZE This issue we’re offering the chance to win two fantastic DVDs courtesy of Duke Video – Narrow Edge and Jey, Ray & Rivals. Get writing in to be in with a chance of winning these fantastic prizes.

In my view...

Dear CR I would like to air my views on the current classic racing scene.

Original bikes should be racing modern replicas ridden by professionals, original bikes are raced for the enjoyment of the rider whereas modern replicas are built and raced for profit.

Secondly, I hate and detest the noise restrictions imposed, my bikes are open meggas and will never be silenced to appease householders, so they will remain show bikes.

To my way of thinking, the race tracks were there before houses, so the owners should have a clause written into their deeds that states they are unable to complain. If they do not agree, sell up and move.

People living under airport flight paths have no option but to accept it.

Finally, my other gripe, the TT races,

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too many riders get killed each year, the island should be renamed: The Isle of Manslaughter.

I would like to see the engine capacities greatly reduced, bring back the 50, 125 and 250 classes then limit the senior to 350cc. Today’s bikes are too powerful, uncontrollable, unreliable and expensive, a rear tyre lasts for 75 miles (ridiculous)..

Bob Mac’s Gilera did eight laps on the same tyres and you never saw him clambering all over the bike. Bob was a proper rider, unlikke today’s high speed acrobats.

Lastly, I note Michael Dunlop iss riding Bob’s Gilera in the Classic Parade lap, words fail me.

Gordon Chatterton Email

Dear CR I’ve just renewed my subscription to Classic Racer – it’s the only motorcycle magazine worth reading!

I missed the TT this year as I was due in hospital for an operation at the same time it took place. It was the first time since 19 9 47 that I have missed a TT, but I plan to o be at the Classic Manx in September, which I think will replace the TT eventually, ass nostalgia is a huge growth industry and surely is the future for the Isle of Man. Seventy years’ continuous attendance, participation in 84 TT races, 51 replicas, four TT class wins, sponsoring 112 riders in that time is something I feel justifiably proud of and fighting to preserve the TT’s standing in th he FIM, wearing my ACU chairman’s hat, is another proud memory.

Tommy Robb, who lives near me is always reminiscing about the 60 years of raacing and I decided that out of all the races the TT still stands supreme.

Long may the TT and Manx survive.

Bill Smith, Chester Hello Bill Thank you very much indeed for the continuing support for CR, Malc and I appreciate both it and all you’re still doing to help the sport that we all love continue and flourish.

Amen to your call for the TT and the Manx to survive, if does feel like – in terms of the wider picture, globally – events on The Island are on the crest of a wave at the moment!

I wonder, do you feel that the recent Endurance Legends events are the answer to bringing more of that newlyaware fanbase to events like the Classic TT etc?

Tony

REGULAR PADDOCK GOSSIP

PaddockGossip Compiled by Malc Wheeler // Send your classic racing news to:

mwheeler@mortons.co.uk

Mallory’s brilliant Bonanza Words: Malc Wheeler Photographs: Barry Clay

With all the elements for a great weekend of motorcycling nostalgia, the sun-kissed Mallory Bonanza ticked all the boxes for the large crowd of enthusiasts that made the journey to the friendly Midlands track.

Saturday saw the quieter road machines on track, and there was no shortage of people wanting to enjoy the short, but challenging, Mallory Park circuit, providing a motorcycling history lesson for the spectators.

With no noise restriction and no chicanes, Sunday was very much a case of feel the noise. Among the inevitable four-cylinder Honda ‘lookalikes’ there was some truly historic race ware, none more so than the Cagiva two-stroke four from Dean and Martyn Simpkins’ collection, which TT Riders’ Association president Alex George exercised, and the original

MV three, from the same stable that Dean got to gallop in the Past Masters’ parade. And with a relaxed, open paddock there were stars aplenty for the fans to chat to and get their memorabilia signed by.

Adding to the entertainment was a round of the British Sidecar Championship for modern outfits, which proved a great spectacle in the close confines of Mallory Park. And if the sidecars where spectacular, the Honda Step Thru races were off the scale, with one former Grand Prix rostrum man describing them as the best part of the weekend.

Mallory Park’s Stuart Hicken, Natalie, and their small team have done a great job of creating a real spectacle at one of the UK’s favourite circuits, while keeping it friendly and accessible. Mallory Park really is the ‘Friendly Circuit’.

Evergreen doesn’t really do Grantie justice!

The Mogvin is a real piece of three-wheel history.

Above: The most unlikely grid, packed by Honda commuters, proved to be laugh-a-minute racing.

Two Suzuki greats from different eras: John Reynolds, left, and Mick Grant.

Right: It was great to see Ron Chandler back in action after he was t-boned at the Bonanza last year.

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