picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 21:34
Been going through some Digital pics, found this one, its Michael Howarth at BSB Brands Hatch 2007 (out of era but stay with me!!) he used to be a top Rugby League player before he took up racing, and it got me thinking (dangerous I know!!) but can any one think of any one else who was well known in another sport/field before racing bikes, or even the other way round?
Michael Howarth, in practice on the Good Friday of the Easter meeting, he crashed in the warm up on the Sunday morning of race day & badly broke his leg!
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.
I will kick off with an easy one. John Surtees Motorcycle Champion, to F1 racing/ F1 Champion.
Doesn't have to be in the 1969-1990 era anyone will do!
Bruce Penhall was a "famous" actor after his Speedway career...
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 21:52
Originally posted by fines
Bruce Penhall was a "famous" actor after his Speedway career...
Chips!!
jeff sayle
Nov 5 2008, 22:03
Originally posted by picblanc
Chips!!
He was definetly a better speedway rider.
jeff sayle
Nov 5 2008, 22:04
Originally posted by jeff sayle
He was definetly a better speedway rider.
Wasn't Tony Mang good at luige or something like that??
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 22:10
Originally posted by jeff sayle
Wasn't Tony Mang good at luige or something like that??
Just googled him, and Wicki thingy says, he was a Skibobbing German National & Junior European Champion.
Ski Bobbing is a bicycle frame attached to two ski's where the wheels should be.
So good one Jeff.
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 22:13
Steve Parrish, Motorcycle racing to European Truck racing Champ, 2/3 times?
andyb1963
Nov 5 2008, 22:28
Wasn't Victor Palomo a water-ski champ ?
markjackson
Nov 5 2008, 22:29
The Cobbler looks set to become a National Level bike racer, and Rossi's occasional WRC outings have shown great potential for when he finally gives the rest a chance.
In terms of movement from other bikesport, I think Christian Iddon is still one to watch. It would be great to see him racing a competetive superbike or similar without injury. Was Chambon the last one to go from Supermoto to the top level on tarmac?
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 22:31
Originally posted by andyb1963
Wasn't Victor Palomo a water-ski champ ?
He was
well done Andy, hurt his knees so took up Motorcycle racing!!
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 22:33
Originally posted by markjackson
The Cobbler looks set to become a National Level bike racer, and Rossi's occasional WRC outings have shown great potential for when he finally gives the rest a chance.
In terms of movement from other bikesport, I think Christian Iddon is still one to watch. It would be great to see him racing a competetive superbike or similar without injury. Was Chambon the last one to go from Supermoto to the top level on tarmac?
The Cobbler Mark?
Chambon, yes top top Supersport rider.
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 22:34
This is good guys, I was ready for another tumble weed moment!!
picblanc
Nov 5 2008, 22:35
The Durran Durran guy, forget his name, dabbled with Motorcycle racing I seem to remember?
jeff sayle
Nov 5 2008, 22:37
Originally posted by picblanc
This is good guys, I was ready for another tumble weed moment!!
J M Bayle, top motocrosser and handy road racer, although similar sports.
Russell Burrows
Nov 5 2008, 22:50
Tommy Price, World Speedway Champion, 1949, took up road racing when well into his fifties and was pretty handy too.
Been out playing skittles
but did'nt the late Piers Forester play polo
?? ( if not he ought to have done )
Russell Burrows
Nov 5 2008, 22:58
Oh, and one or two guys most of us know of later became space cadets......
+ of course Arthur Browning went from Scrambling ( motor-cross ) to classic road racing in the last few years
Mr Fu
must have a piccy from Aberdare
this year
jeff sayle
Nov 5 2008, 23:02
Originally posted by Russell Burrows
Oh, and one or two guys most of us know of later became space cadets......
An aussie hero by the name of Gregg Hansford, multiple GP winner, who later turned his hand to touring car racing, winning Austaralias most important race the Bathurst 1000 and also won a 12 hour touring car race at Bathurst .
A unbelievably talented and modest person, who is sadly missed.
Originally posted by Russell Burrows
Oh, and one or two guys most of us know of later became space cadets......
Hi Russ
and Parrish went from racing trucks to the com box ( will not mention 2- wheels
)
Originally posted by picblanc
The Durran Durran guy, forget his name, dabbled with Motorcycle racing I seem to remember?
Hi All
Yes, seem to remember Simon Le Bon & his brother doing some racing.
David
markjackson
Nov 5 2008, 23:03
Originally posted by picblanc
The Cobbler Mark?
Michael Schuemaker, (I'm not much of an F1 fan, so Excuse the spelling), who I think has been racing a 'blade in German Superbikes, and other bikes in some one-make outings.
Wasnt Hailwood quite competetive on 4 wheels too, before his comeback to bikes?
Wow its busy tonight, where have you all been?
Originally posted by jeff sayle
An aussie hero by the name of Gregg Hansford, multiple GP winner, who later turned his hand to touring car racing, winning Austaralias most important race the Bathurst 1000 and also won a 12 hour touring car race at Bathurst .
A unbelievably talented and modest person, who is sadly missed.
Thanks Jeff
here he is at Daytona
Originally posted by dcw
Wow its busy tonight, where have you all been?
We've been here David
where have you been
jeff sayle
Nov 5 2008, 23:11
Originally posted by markjackson
Michael Schuemaker, (I'm not much of an F1 fan, so Excuse the spelling), who I think has been racing a 'blade in German Superbikes, and other bikes in some one-make outings.
Wasnt Hailwood quite competetive on 4 wheels too, before his comeback to bikes?
Hailwood was more than competetive, i am sure he had a few podiums in F1.
Originally posted by jeff sayle
Hailwood was more than competetive, i am sure he had a few podiums in F1.
Sorry I missed that one
yes SMBH was competetive in anything !!!!
Russell Burrows
Nov 5 2008, 23:16
[QUOTE]
Originally posted by picblanc
[B]Found this yesterday in an old magazine, it brought back some memories!! 1971.
Percy was a pretty amazing bloke. You can find his name in racing programmes from the very early fifties, yet he was still competitive in the late seventies. And because of his tucked in style he appeared to crank bikes over at what were then crazy angles but seldom crashed. I saw a recent picture of him somewhere and he doesn't look radically different from the late seventies, despite now being 105.
sterling49
Nov 5 2008, 23:24
Originally posted by jeff sayle
Hailwood was more than competetive, i am sure he had a few podiums in F1.
Mike drove for Team Surtees finishing the '72 Italian GP in 2nd place and for Yardley McLaren finishing 3rd in the '74 South African GP. He was also very successful in the F2 series in a Surtees and drove sports cars for the JW/Gulf team (Ford GT40) and had a good finish (3rd o/a IIRC) in the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours. Formula 5000 was another category that he did well in, a racer through and through
jeff sayle
Nov 5 2008, 23:47
Originally posted by sterling49
Mike drove for Team Surtees finishing the '72 Italian GP in 2nd place and for Yardley McLaren finishing 3rd in the '74 South African GP. He was also very successful in the F2 series in a Surtees and drove sports cars for the JW/Gulf team (Ford GT40) and had a good finish (3rd o/a IIRC) in the 1969 Le Mans 24 Hours. Formula 5000 was another category that he did well in, a racer through and through
And a great bloke.
Originally posted by jeff sayle
although similar sports.
How about Stuart Graham & Ago...
sterling49
Nov 6 2008, 00:03
Originally posted by mfd
How about Stuart Graham & Ago...
From memory, Ago raced an F2 Brabham BT23C, though I cannot remember where and when. Stuart Graham raced a great Chevrolet Camaro in Group 1 saloons, liveried in Brut (splash it all over
) 33 colours, and won lots of races in it, I think this was around '74 ish
Bill Ivy had a go in F2 also (IIRC)
andyb1963
Nov 6 2008, 00:09
What about Neil Tuxworth - Sand racing , Moto-x , Speedway , Ice racing . Does that count ?
Originally posted by sterling49
From memory, Ago raced an F2 Brabham BT23C, though I cannot remember where and when. Stuart Graham raced a great Chevrolet Camaro in Group 1 saloons, liveried in Brut (splash it all over ) 33 colours, and won lots of races in it, I think this was around '74 ish Bill Ivy had a go in F2 also (IIRC)
You're just confused with Ago, it was Bill Ivy who drove the BT23C. Ago raced in the Aurora F1 series much later.
...which reminds me - Cecotto was also Formula 2 champion as well as being a handy BMW tintop driver and
Stuart Graham won a TT on both 2 & 4 wheels.
philippe7
Nov 6 2008, 00:45
There have been many threads on the subject of "two wheels to four" or vice-versa in the "main" forum...this one for instance
http://forums.autosport.com/showthread.php...+wheels+to+four
There was also a thread about (car) racers that were talented in other non-engined powered sports, but I'll be damned if I can find it
andyb1963
Nov 6 2008, 00:49
Ian Sheckter ?
Giacomo Agostini
Nov 6 2008, 06:08
Wasn't Cecotto the world touring car champion? and Damon Hill was pretty handy on a 350 before he switched to 4 wheels.
ex Rhodie racer
Nov 6 2008, 09:25
Gary Hocking, Paddy Driver.
picblanc
Nov 6 2008, 09:29
Originally posted by jeff sayle
An aussie hero by the name of Gregg Hansford, multiple GP winner, who later turned his hand to touring car racing, winning Austaralias most important race the Bathurst 1000 and also won a 12 hour touring car race at Bathurst .
A unbelievably talented and modest person, who is sadly missed.
Found this one in another old Magazine, 1979.
Jim Greening photo?
andyb1963
Nov 6 2008, 09:42
Love that one Graham - very intense .
Hows the weather yoour way ? Any good for work ?
picblanc
Nov 6 2008, 09:48
Originally posted by andyb1963
Love that one Graham - very intense .
Hows the weather yoour way ? Any good for work ?
Morning Andy
Dull damp but mild, I will have to go and do a bit!! Having a new rear brake caliper fitted to the car later, so another short day!!
Great pic of Jeff & Gregg Hansford, very evocative of the times,yes looks like the bike is not doing what it should?
Russell Burrows
Nov 6 2008, 09:57
stuavant
Nov 6 2008, 10:11
Originally posted by exclubracer
I agree 100% Graham, as we discussed in the old thread, I was in the Stowe corner grandstand with my ex and saw it all, horrible. She fainted at the sound of the impact.
IIRC Norman had said before the race that he would pull out of the race if the weather turned nasty as he had the Ulster Grand Prix on the following Saturday and that he did not want to put himself or his bike at risk, especially as he had crashed heavily at the Belgian GP 2 weeks previously and damaged his bike. I wonder if this is why he was carrying the same colours at Silverstone as Johnnie Rea's Hector Neill bike, as opposed to his usual distinctive livery?
I think that maybe Phil (fil2.8) may have some insight into this, I believe that he knew Norman quite well.
Anyway a tragic accident claiming 2 lives which should not have happened. 
A cruel sport indeed, sometimes.
Been overseas for a week so am catching up..great fun. I was with Norman that weekend and spent some time talking with him and Hector. For sure he was reluctant to ride that day as his "factory ride" had just been confirmed. That in a way makes it even more senseless but that seemed to be the norm in those days.
stuavant
Nov 6 2008, 10:17
Originally posted by Falloffski
Business as usual at the moment as far as I've been told.
H has given his all for 19 years, bless his little cotton and polyester socks. Go east and prosper my old china
Must off known i was reading this george!!
stuavant
Nov 6 2008, 10:19
Originally posted by ex Rhodie racer
It´s always good to have a few conflicting opinions , but I knew Wil quite well, and he was probably the most misunderstood guy in the paddock. I rated him as the fastest rider of the late 70´s early 80´s, particularly on road circuits. Obviously, he never had the sort of factory backing Bazza and Roberts enjoyed, but on the few occasions he was given a full factory machine he cleared off into the distance. With regards the world series thing, he was told by his sponsor that unless he turned his back on the world series, he would be out of a ride. What would you have done in his position?
Barry, who had a personal problem with Wil, said a few very unkind things in this regard, but I won´t go into that as there is no point after all these years. He was, and still is, a gentleman of the highest order. And while style is a personal thing, I must say he was, for me at any rate, one of the most stylish riders I´ve ever seen. Just my opinion mind.
Well you were either with Barry or against him and it was hard to tell at times why you ended up on either side. I agree that he was very very good but surely not the best in that era. nice bloke though
stuavant
Nov 6 2008, 10:39
[QUOTE]Originally posted by supercomp
Jeff
The Doc was eccentric, but I got on well with him. What does that say about me??
Barry Hart was before my time at Armstrong, so did not really know him. Does anyone know where he went to? Seem to remember he was building guitars?
Was in Australia for a (long) holiday. Spent time in Sydney, visited Melbourne, and then meandered in a motorhome up the coast to Townsville before flying back to Sydney. Nearly got to a Supermoto race in Newcastle, but missed it by a day!
Great place but VERY big. (Scotland is quite small!!).
George Beale told me a few years ago you were involved with the glass fibre industry - I was running a glass fibre factory at the time. Is this/was this correct?
Donnie [/QUOTE
Hi Donnie, I did a race test on the Armstrong carbon Bike for Motorcycle Mechanic's at Brands. What I remember most was the shape of the tank and how it dug into your legs. It could have done a power of damage in a fall. But mostly I remember how bad the carburation was. It was like the throttle was an on /off switch. Bugger if I know how you rode it. Pretty much ahead of its time if we consider that in the same year we had our Carbon Suzuki which I tested at Mallory and now, in the next century everyone is getting excited about the new GP9 Carbon Ducati...go figure
jeff sayle
Nov 6 2008, 19:19
Originally posted by picblanc
Found this one in another old Magazine, 1979.
Jim Greening photo?
Very pensive mood in that photo, obviously the bike waSn't doing what it was supposed to, AGAIN!!!!!!
exclubracer
Nov 6 2008, 19:43
I would be interested to hear of how all of you ex-GP riders feel about the tyres which were available to privateers as opposed to the tyres available to works or semi-works riders, were tyres developed for individual circuits/works riders, as seems to be the case nowadays? Did the improved tyres filter down quickly to privateers?
In modern MotoGP and WSB it seems that so much more emphasis is placed on (lack of) tyre performance, especially after a bad result! I appreciate that power outputs are so much greater now but is this now just a modern excuse for 'having a bad day/result?
One wonders...
ATB.
Mick.
Russell Burrows
Nov 6 2008, 20:27
While they are pondering that, lets have a shot of a time when everyones tyres were the same, puddin basin were all the rage and all was right with the world.
Originally posted by Russell Burrows
While they are pondering that, lets have a shot of a time when everyones tyres were the same, puddin basin were all the rage and all was right with the world.
Nice piccy Russ
one of yours perchance ???
Mooneyes Coops and Crasher Croxford about 70/71 I reckon
But who's that on the H1 R by the fence ? I wonder More coloured from that era please !!!!
Right off out to skittles
see you later
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please
click here.