Bemsee champions
#1
Posted 03 June 2009 - 10:25
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
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#2
Posted 03 June 2009 - 18:33
Hi all. This thread was originally a purely selfish idea but maybe it could be interesting for others.
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
Hi Mike, just to add with what I can be sure of;
1983 Len Lambourne (350), Martin Rice (250), Steve Patrickson (125), and I think Mike Pfaff (spelling not sure of?) (500)
#3
Posted 03 June 2009 - 23:19
David
#4
Posted 03 June 2009 - 23:51
Hi all. This thread was originally a purely selfish idea but maybe it could be interesting for others.
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
Ahh...Keith Huewen. my racing hero.
A real racer, a hard case without doubt and a potential winner who never really had the machinery he deserved in the British Suzuki team, overshadowed by Barry in '83 and hamstrung in his best potential years '84/85 by a **** private RS500 which almost did him in financially IIRC due to gearbox and brake failures.
#5
Posted 04 June 2009 - 00:15
#6
Posted 04 June 2009 - 09:36
Hi all. This thread was originally a purely selfish idea but maybe it could be interesting for others.
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
Yes, there were some really top notch Bemsee trophies available in the 70's, both championship and special award for fastest laps/race speeds etc. and to see one's own name listed alongside Mike Hailwood was really something special; although to be honest I felt at the time (in my own case) a bit ridiculous.
I have pictures of some of them, although not 350 Championship, taken by my father and I will dig them out. Not sure whether the names will be visible though.
Best wishes, Peter Weale.
#7
Posted 04 June 2009 - 17:18
...and part of that great double act WSB commentary duo with Julian Ryder.
Yes Peter, they could get a little 'frantic' at times, but a great team nevertheless.
#8
Posted 05 June 2009 - 09:18
Hi all. This thread was originally a purely selfish idea but maybe it could be interesting for others.
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
Mike, don't have access to the Bemsee 350 Championship Shield but maybe the 250 is similar.
Also included are the J.S.Moore Trophy originally awarded for "the most outstanding performance by a BMCRC member in the IOM TT races". Engraved names include: Mike Hailwood, Derek Minter, Colin Seeley, Joe Dunphy, John Hartle and Ray Pickrell.
Also the Torquemeter Trophy originally awarded for "best annual performance in World Championship races".
Names include: John Surtees and SMB Mike.
Peter Weale
#9
Posted 05 June 2009 - 09:51
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
One I think I showed you before Peter? from early? 1976 that you signed for me in 1976/77?
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Did you get to keep any of the trophy's?
#10
Posted 05 June 2009 - 11:24
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Did you get to keep any of the trophy's?
[/quote]
Yet more excellent pics, thanks Graham.
The above pic, as you say is from '76 and shows my own 250 which received some financial help from Warnell Motors (now trading as Neil Harris Motorcycles) based in Chingford Mount Road, just along from the famous Walthamstow Greyhound Stadium.
Those trophies were of course valuble and highly regarded and it was a great privilage to be their custodian for one year.
They were all returned to Bill Rose and Barbara Bailey (who ran Bemsee at the time), but championship winners were presented with "a memento for retention" which was a smaller version of the shield complete with hand painted BMCRC Brooklands Gold Star and engraving.
Many thanks, Peter.
#11
Posted 05 June 2009 - 12:33
Some more bemsee champion ship winners I can remember below, Lots of gaps though and I'm sure some will be wrong, age dulls the memory and mine was never very good anyway, so I wait to be corrected.
1977 250 Kevin Wrettom
1977 500 kevin Wrettom
1978 250 Don wears
1978 350 Kevin Richards / Ron Storey???
1978 500 Chris woodcock
1978 1000 Barry Waters (maybe 79)
1979 250 Paul Harris
1979 350 Kenny Pinks
1979 500 Eddie O'brien
1980 350 Nigel Corby
1980 500 Eddie O'brien
1982 250 Martin Rice
1982 500 Modesty prevents me
1982 1000 Roger Marchant
All the best, Martin
Edited by suzrg500, 05 June 2009 - 12:34.
#12
Posted 05 June 2009 - 13:59
Here he is on the Neil Chilton Yamaha same as Peter Weale had?
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge. racebikepics.
& in 1977
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#13
Posted 05 June 2009 - 14:06
Mike, I did exactly the same thing with my 500 shield , but the photo has also long since disappeared as well Only someone as organised as Mr Weale would still have them after all these years
Some more bemsee champion ship winners I can remember below, Lots of gaps though and I'm sure some will be wrong, age dulls the memory and mine was never very good anyway, so I wait to be corrected.
1977 250 Kevin Wrettom
1977 500 kevin Wrettom
1978 250 Don wears
1978 350 Kevin Richards / Ron Storey???
1978 500 Chris woodcock
1978 1000 Barry Waters (maybe 79)
1979 250 Paul Harris
1979 350 Kenny Pinks
1979 500 Eddie O'brien
1980 350 Nigel Corby
1980 500 Eddie O'brien
1982 250 Martin Rice
1982 500 Modesty prevents me
1982 1000 Roger Marchant
All the best, Martin
Chris Woodcock 1979
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#14
Posted 05 June 2009 - 14:09
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#15
Posted 05 June 2009 - 16:33
Hi all. This thread was originally a purely selfish idea but maybe it could be interesting for others.
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
I won Bemsee 350cc championship in 1977 and finished 2nd to Kevin Wrettom in 250cc same year! ( Mick Robinson www.msrphotographic.co.uk )
#16
Posted 05 June 2009 - 17:15
Kenny would have gone on to better things I think.
Very sad
David
#17
Posted 05 June 2009 - 18:28
Snetterton 1976 with I think Tim Jackson? (it is, pushing his 500 Seeley)
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
1976
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
1977
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#18
Posted 05 June 2009 - 18:32
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
1979
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
1979
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#19
Posted 05 June 2009 - 19:02
Photo Copyrighted to Graham, Etheridge, racebikepics.
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#20
Posted 06 June 2009 - 20:16
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#21
Posted 06 June 2009 - 20:23
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#22
Posted 07 June 2009 - 09:42
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
1977
Both Photos Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics,
1977
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#23
Posted 07 June 2009 - 10:01
1975, Mick Tony Edwards, & Tony Chipman.I won Bemsee 350cc championship in 1977 and finished 2nd to Kevin Wrettom in 250cc same year! ( Mick Robinson www.msrphotographic.co.uk )
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Ron Rowlands, Mick & Ronaldo Weale.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Mick Robinson & Ron Mellor 1977
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#24
Posted 08 June 2009 - 06:58
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Astute observers on this forum will note the speed and grace of the 22 bike as it powers majestically around the outside to record a dramatic last corner victory.
Oh well, perhaps not.
#25
Posted 08 June 2009 - 11:03
Peter, That's the kind of shield the 350 one was with loads of great names on it. Where are those shields now? It would be good to have the full lists.
Here's what we've got so far
125
1983 Steve Patrickson
250
1977 Kevin Wrettom
1978 Don Wears
1979 Paul Harris
1980
1981
1982 Martin Rice
1983 Martin Rice
350
1977 Mick Robinson
1978 Kevin Richards/Ron Storey?
1979 Kenny Pinks
1980 Keith Huewen/Nigel Corby?
1981 Mike Capon
1982
1983 Len Lambourne
500
1977 Kevin Wrettom
1978 Chris Woodcock
1979 Eddie O'Brien
1980 Eddie O'Brien
1981
1982 Martin (suzrg500.... Dellow?)
1983 Mike Pfaff
1000
1978 Barry Waters
1979
1980
1981
1982 Roger Marchant
Can anyone add any more? Or resolve the ??s
Edited by mikecapon, 08 June 2009 - 11:05.
#26
Posted 08 June 2009 - 17:56
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#27
Posted 08 June 2009 - 21:10
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#28
Posted 09 June 2009 - 07:23
Another one of Peter, I love this one, 1975.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Yet another Great Graham Pic from an evocative period; sharp with just the right amount of movement.
You mentioned the Neil Chilton bikes a little while ago, well Neil was a very talented and practical engineer with considerable vision who not only fabricated all sorts of goodies such as bike stands (front and rear), clutch removing tool (copied from the one we had seen being used on the Kenny Roberts bikes), various extractors etc. but also accomplished engine builder, welder and chassis analyst at a time when no one really bothered about suspension setups.
Neil, Don Wears, Jim Wells and myself were all apprentices at British Oxygen's Edmonton (North London) plant, starting in Sept 1968.
#29
Posted 14 October 2009 - 12:47
Hi all. This thread was originally a purely selfish idea but maybe it could be interesting for others.
Back in 1981 I was lucky enough to win the Bemsee 350 championship. The trophy was a magnificent shield with all the past winners names on. These were some great names including IIRC, Read, Hailwood, Minter? My dad took a snap at the time to record these great names together with my own but the photo has done what most of these things tend to, ie disappear.
Perhaps it could be fun to fill in the blanks. Here is what I am sure of (not a lot I know but it leaves lots of space for the rest of you )
BMCRC 350 Champions
1980 Keith Huewen
1981 Mike Capon
Hi,
I'm new on this forum but I've done a bit of research re. Bemsee Championships so I can fill in a few gaps.
BMCRC Champions 1973
125cc: Michael Dix
250cc :Steve Parrish
350cc :Leon Lerago
500cc: Dave Street
1000cc :Lance Capon
Sidecar: John Oakley/Graham Falcke
Production: Wayne Dinham
BMCRC Champions 1977
500cc:Dennis Casement
#30
Posted 14 October 2009 - 17:58
Hi,
I'm new on this forum but I've done a bit of research re. Bemsee Championships so I can fill in a few gaps.
BMCRC Champions 1973
125cc: Michael Dix
250cc :Steve Parrish
350cc :Leon Lerago
500cc: Dave Street
1000cc :Lance Capon
Sidecar: John Oakley/Graham Falcke
Production: Wayne Dinham
BMCRC Champions 1977
500cc:Dennis Casement
Hi Dixie, great stuff thank you, and welcome.
#31
Posted 15 October 2009 - 08:03
Hi,
I'm new on this forum but I've done a bit of research re. Bemsee Championships so I can fill in a few gaps.
BMCRC Champions 1973
125cc: Michael Dix
250cc :Steve Parrish
350cc :Leon Lerago
500cc: Dave Street
1000cc :Lance Capon
Sidecar: John Oakley/Graham Falcke
Production: Wayne Dinham
BMCRC Champions 1977
500cc:Dennis Casement
Yeah welcome Dixie, or are you AKA Michael?
#32
Posted 15 October 2009 - 08:17
Hi,
I'm new on this forum but I've done a bit of research re. Bemsee Championships so I can fill in a few gaps.
BMCRC Champions 1973
125cc: Michael Dix
250cc :Steve Parrish
350cc :Leon Lerago
500cc: Dave Street
1000cc :Lance Capon
Sidecar: John Oakley/Graham Falcke
Production: Wayne Dinham
BMCRC Champions 1977
500cc:Dennis Casement
Dennis Casement in 1977 on his TZ35?
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#33
Posted 15 October 2009 - 08:45
Dennis Casement in 1977 on his TZ35?
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Looks a bit big to be only a 35 cc Buster
#34
Posted 15 October 2009 - 16:03
Indeed I am.Yeah welcome Dixie, or are you AKA Michael?;)
#35
Posted 15 October 2009 - 16:12
Just remembered another one: 1974 BMCRC 125 Champion : Trevor HeasmanIndeed I am.
#36
Posted 15 October 2009 - 17:01
Just remembered another one: 1974 BMCRC 125 Champion : Trevor Heasman
Trevor a couple of years later. Welcome Michael.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#37
Posted 15 October 2009 - 17:17
#38
Posted 16 October 2009 - 12:18
Note the angle of the bars , copied from someone rather special.................
Saarinen, perhaps?
#39
Posted 16 October 2009 - 12:54
Saarinen, perhaps?
Yes , does'nt quite look right with our friend Mr Heasman , don't you agree
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#40
Posted 17 October 2009 - 04:02
Yes , does'nt quite look right with our friend Mr Heasman , don't you agree
Saarinen was the first rider I can remember who used steeply angled bars, reputedly from his Finnish ice-racing days, was there anyone who used them previously?
#41
Posted 23 October 2009 - 14:42
Been scrathcing my head and come up with another two Bemsee Champions.
1977 500cc BMCRC Champion; Richard Cutts
1977Production 500cc Champion: Tom Pemberton
#42
Posted 23 October 2009 - 15:45
Hi,
Been scrathcing my head and come up with another two Bemsee Champions.
1977 500cc BMCRC Champion; Richard Cutts
1977Production 500cc Champion: Tom Pemberton
Tom in 1976.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#43
Posted 23 October 2009 - 15:58
Hi,
Been scrathcing my head and come up with another two Bemsee Champions.
1977 500cc BMCRC Champion; Richard Cutts
1977Production 500cc Champion: Tom Pemberton
Barooombah!! Barooombah!! Barooombah!!
Richard 1976? 500 Seeley.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
#44
Posted 26 October 2009 - 12:46
I'm sure you're not.Here's a couple of Bemsee champion's
One of which is me.........
2002 2nd GP250 Southern Championship ( lost by 2 points to Rikki Owen Les Brace was 3rd
2003 Winner GP250 King of Clubs Championship ( AWARDED THE RICKARD TROPHY )
2004 2nd Nationwide GP250 Championship ( I won 16 races but still lost because I broke my back at Brands after a 140mph seizure )
The winner was Denis Halil he won because he was consistant and done all the rounds. ( Not that I am bitter and twisted or anything )
#45
Posted 26 October 2009 - 13:17
Tom in 1976.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
Did Tom win the Avon Proddie 750 class on a H2 one year? I think Steve Trasler won on a Triumph against the GS Suzukis later so it would have been 76 or 77?
David
#46
Posted 28 October 2009 - 23:26
#47
Posted 01 November 2009 - 11:15
I was looking through the forum for anybody that may have results from Bemsee club meetings from 1980 to 81.
I think most of mine were in my dads camper van when we sent it to the scrap yard!!.
Going back to your question about Bemsee champions I thought 79 was Kenny Pinks, and 80 was Nigel Corby.
Best regards
Paul
#48
Posted 01 November 2009 - 21:15
I’ve read that Steve Mercer won the Bemsee Open 1300 title in 2006
Indeed and Today I heard that he walked on water and has won the Lord of Lydden Trophy
#49
Posted 28 December 2010 - 10:53
Thanks
Stephen
#50
Posted 28 December 2010 - 11:41
Photos Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.