I wonder if Grasetti's bike was fitted with twin discs, as Benelli tried them around '64 ? By the way, I loved the way the italians went racing, particularly early on - relatively small factories supporting what at times were huge racing teams. It must have cost them a fortune, so they did it, as they over the water, for the craic.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Russell Burrows
[B]



Thanks to Peter for reminding us of this shot and of course the publisher.

Russell, is that a certain S.M.B.Hailwood on the bike 2nd in line?

Reckon so and looks like ' Shep ' behind

Spot on chaps, all on 7R's at the banked hairpin at Oulton Park, 1961.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Russell Burrows
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Russell Burrows
[B]



Thanks to Peter for reminding us of this shot and of course the publisher. [/QUOTE]

..which also solves the helmet question..

Banked or not, that's still a stunning angle of lean on those crappy old tyres ! And ties the helmet question up nicely.... you gotta love TNF ! Great pic, guys, thanks for sharing....

Racer !

Alan Barnett, on what looks like a 7R. I know he's a big favourite of yours Russell, and no matter what he was riding, be it a G50, Kirby Metisse or Aermacchi, he always looked like he was really on it. But it seems after racing, he shot through never to return. Can you enlighten us as to why, or what he's up to now ?

Yes, Alan on his 7R when winning at the Stars of Tomorrow races, Brands, 1966. I dont know what happened to him G.D. When I first found this forum there was some speculation that he was no longer with us. If that were the case it would almost certainly have been reported in the M/C press here. I did hear from somewhere that he made a non riding appearance at Mallory Park a few years ago and that he was then still living around Iver. Yes, I think he was absolutely the genuine article, be it on British short circuits, GP's or the Island.

Dead right, to me he always rings a bell with his second to Ago in the Junior TT on the Aermacchi (was it '71?) and his third spot in the Belgian GP behind Ago and the amazing Percy Tait, who I seem to recall went round at something like 116 mph on the 500 Triumph ! Great days

He chased Ago home in 1970 and in the process did a lap that was a knats cock away from 100mph, all on a 40 bhp, pushrod single. In the senior he lapped at over the ton when again racing for second place with that other great, Peter Willians. Infact, he did the same the year earlier on Kirby's bike. Also, he was leading the '71 Junior before mechanical gemlins put him out.

In 1971 , presumably to test something, he turned up at a Southern 67 meeting with Syd's Aermacchi. During one of my races he swept past me at the top of Paddock and I was kinda towed down through the corner...never had I been down there so fast.

I confess to having been a massive fan of his as well. Great style and as fast as hell. I somehow tend to associate him with uncle Tom´s bikes for some reason or other. Maybe I saw a shot of him on one of his bikes that sat with me. Who knows.

Couldn't resist it.

Thankfully
Ramsay hairpin?

Don't blame you either Russ Great shot of a great rider !!! Did you take it ??

Er, no Phil. Wish I had though.

Here is a link to a photo in Morton's Archive showing Rod Scivyer on a 247cc FH Merlin at Brands Hatch 13.8.1967. Was that another Villiers Starmaker special of some sort?

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=h...ntryGB%26sa%3DN

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul Rochdale
[B]Here is a link to a photo in Morton's Archive showing Rod Scivyer on a 247cc FH Merlin at Brands Hatch 13.8.1967. Was that another Villiers Starmaker special of some sort?

Yes it was normally called the Frank Higley Special ( FH )

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21389193@N00/...57607646595902/
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3276/290530...d87366457_b.jpg

Went to the Honda Collection Hall last weekend and got some shots of vintage Honda GP bikes...

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fil2.8
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Paul Rochdale
[B]Here is a link to a photo in Morton's Archive showing Rod Scivyer on a 247cc FH Merlin at Brands Hatch 13.8.1967. Was that another Villiers Starmaker special of some sort?

Yes it was normally called the Frank Higley Special ( FH ) [/QUOTE]

The Merlin was actually powered by a Greeves motor converted to rotary valve and fitted with a Gardiner carb,(for some reason it wouldn't run on anything else). Chris Merlin was responsible for the engine conversion which was originally designed for the kart world. The cylinder had a sleeve fitted which blanked off the inlet and a new crankcase half was made to incorporate the rotary valve.
Sorry can't remember any more about it.

Yes, Rhodie, 1970.

Wonderful - thanks so much for posting them.

Thanks Rod, I'd hoped you were going to respond.

Fabulous, thanks.

Hi Everybody,
Come across this forum while doing research into Ray Watmore who was road racing bikes in the 60's. I know that around 1963 to 1965 he rode a 7R and a G50 around the circuits. I remember him to be very thorough and meticulous in his bike preparation and his personal fitness, showing a very professional approach to the sport. This brought him steadily improving results, many a dice with rival Dave Croxford and nipping at the heels of Derek Minter, and I believe he was close to getting 'start money'.
I think it was in 1965 when he entered an endurance event for production bikes, probably the Hutchinson 100, at Castle Combe, he and his co-rider on a Bonneville. Fairly early in the race he was in the lead when a sudden downpour created a stream of water going across Quarry Corner causing him to lose control, bike and Ray ending up in the ditch. Tragically he sustained a severe spinal injury which left him paralysed from the waist down.
Following a spell at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital I recall him returning to live in the Wraysbury area. I remember being told that he was issued with one of those Villiers engine powered light blue invalid carriages which he proceeded to tune up. This led him to be stopped by the Police for speeding on the Staines Bypass. Nice one..!
I think he was a welder by trade, with a high level of competence, and at some stage went to work with one of the motor racing teams, possibly McClarens, who were in that area then.
If anybody knows any more I would appreciate a response.

Greetings and welcome to the forum I remember Ray pretty well--I used to see him at the West Country circuits and loved his hang off style .IIRC he rode a 250 Adler amoungst other bikes well and was def. on the way up
I was at Thruxton that day and have the prog. in front of me !!!! It was the 24 July 1965 and it was the 500 mile production race not the 'Hutch ' But I do not recall what happened :\ and his co-rider was John Hedger cheers and hope this helps phil Oh yes he was listed as a welder aged 24

Hi Steve, welcome to the site. A sad story, is he still with us ?

Thanks for your response Phil, it seems I was wrong with the circuit where Ray came to grief, so it was the Thruxton 500 then. However I remember quite clearly that I was late getting to the event due to a puncture in the rear tyre of my Matchless. When I arrived the 500 was well under way and other spectators told me about Ray's off, and the delay in Ray getting assistance because apparently the travelling Marshall failed to see him in the ditch!! It was the spectators waving and pointing that eventually did the trick.

I don't know if Ray is still with us Russell, but maybe somebody else may know.

Hi Steve , my mistake it was at Castle Combe ,the year when they hosted the famous 500 mile race and not Thruxton .sorry about that ,my pea-like was not working as it should other than that info. correct

Thats a relief Phil. I thought I may be going doolally before my time

What!!! like me you mean

Yes Russ I think it was me ,his style I can still after all these years have a distinct picture of
But on the question of riders who have , as you say lost it all ,how about Brian Steenson ,Paul Cott and of course Norman Brown

Yes, over the years there have been so many...... I cant recall though what happened to Paul Cott?

Me neither!?

There you are you devious devil you've been a bit qt of late --run out of piccies ??? where is everybody Mr Fu

Re the recent posts about the Merlin Greeves - there is one for sale on e-bay at the moment!

Check out item number 230301262261

Yes Barry it looks a bit sorry for its self doesn't it ?? :\

Sorry Iv'e not been on for a while.

I sent Mike this picture a while ago and he sent me a copy of his book signed "Love Michelle".

Does not detract from the fact that he was a great racer.

Sorry Iv'e not been on for a while.

I sent Mike this picture a while ago and he sent me a copy of his book signed "Love Michelle".

Does not detract from the fact that he was a great racer. [/B][/QUOTE]

Yes I agree , A great racer and also a nice person ( and his book's a great read IMHO )

Please have a look at posts 384-389 . Then go to the Transporter thread post 1491 . Could that be Pady Drivers Jaguar ?

Bjorn

pmbboy would know better than me but it sure looks like Paddys

Having studied the picture I would say it is the Paddy Driver Jag, unless there is more than one. If you look inside I sure that looks like a bike covered over.
The Jag i beleive was modded for Paddy Driver, what year it was done I am not sure but I know it was sold to Ian Burne in 1966 and only used for that year by Ian and his companion Bernie Podmore. The Jag was then left at my Dad's workshop yard from the beginning of 67 and was eventually sent for scrap around 72,73 once I had removed the engine and box. IIRMC the body work and wood work were very badly rusted and rotted, it was a sad way to go for such a grand race transporter.

Peter

Looked up Bernie Podmore and apparently was on holiday in the Island in 1957 and was asked to be a passenger in the Sidecar race and finished 8th ....wow !

Re: Crystal Palace. One of the big dangers was of course the proximity of the barriers and their construction, illustrated by this shot taken by myself around '58/'60. I have no idea who was involved, but if I remember correctly they eventually all got up and walked away, thank goodness. In spite of the inherent dangers I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time racing there and was very sad to see it close down.

Me too. Pretty impressive shot

Nice shot from the good old days....

On fire, Russell.... looks like Tony Godfrey, but I'm struggling with the front brake and the helmet of #34.

Looks like Rex Butcher to me

Yes, Tony Godfrey and Rex Butcher, Brands 1962. I think it's an Oldani brake. I think I'm right in recalling that Butcher raced the lightweight Surtees 7R that was later bought and developed so successfully by Peter Williams/Tom Arter. This could be it?