great picture Peter, along the line you can just see Franta Stasny in the light blue helmet.
have you got anymore? please!!!

Exactly my words!

Oh dear very sad news Bjorn, I suppose my all time hero

Peter, it´s shots like that, that make this forum the best on the internet. You just don´t see those sort of pics anywhere else. Paddy looks like he has shaved his goatee, or maybe my eyesight is failing me. Or were those his pre goatee days? I was a massive Paddy Driver fan and always expected him to get the works ride he so richly deserved. Had he been active today he would have had the chance to prove his worth on a competitive machine, but unfortunately in his time works rides were few and far between.
Please, if you have any more of those gems, share them with us. They are priceless.

There are lots of these slides that Peter is lucky enough to have. We were talking recently about them but he was having trouble converting them onto disc. I don't know if he's now sorted it. I hope so because there are some really good items for WWW. For instance, there are a number of slides taken at the TT of the Marriner brothers. Anybody remember them?

Remember them? Dear me yes. Bernie and Tiny were both wonderfull guys and bloody quick as well. I loved Bernie´s polka dot (pink if I remember correctly) Manx Norton. Man, those were the days. Please put up any pics you mught have. You have absolutely no idea what memories they will bring back.

Do you Know these pictures ?
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Direct...s/Tom-Arter.htm
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Direct...es/Bill-Ivy.htm

Barry isn't this one of your pics?
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Direct...arlie-Sanby.htm

Yes, Antony, I have seen them before. Tom Kirby is the man in the pic next to Paddy Driver, not Tom Arter as the caption says. The Kirby bikes were always immaculately turned out. I always desperately scan the kids in the background expecting to see myself or one of my brothers playing around with a young Barry Sheene but I haven't discovered one yet. (there is the series of pics that Graham posted months ago that had pmbboy and I in the background but I mean from the sixties).

By the way Antony, great pic on the Jack Findlay thread of the Cardani. Very rare. I don't know how you find them.

an other pic of this rare bike. i think the colour is yellow because thereis not difference with the number-plate, an the tank can be alu..

From the french vertion of the italian revue Moto d'epoca

To Bernard , and others :

Probably in the week up to 3.April 2007 George (not George) "Schorsch" Auerbacher has died through a tragic accident , at the age of 73 , and related to his heavy chrash at the TT in 1972.

A learned carpenter , he started racing in 1957 on a BMW500. In 1960 he was German Junior champion in solo and sidecar. In 1962 he had his first TT race.

He came from Bad Worishofen and won a total of 6 German championships. as well as one TT.
In 1967 with Eduard Dein , and in in 1968 & 1970 with Hermann Hahn , he was 2nd in the world championship.

Due to steering failure he crashed heavily at the TT in 1972 , and had to retire from racing ,
suffering from this accident for the rest of his life.

This is what I have ( plus more results).

Thanks Bjorn, I trawled around the German racing sites last night and found what I suppose you found
on the Rolf Egglesdorfer site but my german is not good enough to work out whether Georg had a tragic accident in March that lead to his death or it was the long term effects of the IOM crash.

I had my info from my weekly newspaper "motor Sport Aktuell" , but if you want me to translate , just tell me!

Bjorn,

I found this

http://www.eggersdorfer.info/auerbacher/georg_auerbacher.htm

My impression Bernard was that his head injuries he received in his last crash were so severe, that they not only ended his career but he was never well again. I have been trying to discover his funeral arrangments but without success.

Yes yes - more sixties pics where that came from please !! Colour photos from the period are relatively rare and so atmospheric (looks like they are getting ready for the red bikes race!).

Yes Graham - that Sanby picture was mine - I posted the original snap to Scott (Charlie's nephew) a while back - well spotted!

A colour pic of this bike
http://riviere67.free.fr/Championnes/EPHEM...20GP%201968.jpg

And a technical article in english
http://www.autohistoryclub.com/files/carda..._prix__1968.htm

Thank you Anthony. Most interesting. I think a lot of keen enthusiasts tried unsuccessfully to build and race machines at GP level, but because of a lack of funding, were forced to pack up. Helmut Fath springs to mind with his 4 cylinder 4 stroke URS engine that he won the sidecar title with. I know it appeared a few times in solo form, and didn´t John Blanchard, or was it Billy Nelsen, race it on a few occasions. Maybe someone on here who knows more about it can fill me in.

Karl Hoppe at the Adac Nurburgring race 1969
http://www.pro-steilstrecke.de/images/Nord...nenmotorrad.jpg

An other tecnical article for you...i search some pics
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/munch06090700.html

John Blanchard was the development rider for the URS-Fath 500 bike but before it could show it's true potential, Friedel Munch, the owner of Munch motorcycles, took over the whole project. It then went a bit sour and I believe Blanchard finally came away with a complete bike and an engine. Karl Hoppe rode the bike during the 1969 season. There's a very interesting article on the bike in Classic Racer Jan/Feb 2007. There was also a big bust-up with Colin Seeley when the earlier bike, which had a Seeley frame, had a Lockheed disc brake fitted contrary to his wishes. The later bike had a Metisse frame. The story seems to consist of a clash of three men's egos - Seeley, Fath and Munch.

Paul, didn´t Fath also build a solo using the 4 cylinder 2 stroke sidecar engine that Werner Schwertzel rode with considerable success?(I refer here to the sidecar)
I seem to recall JF Balde was involved as rider or test rider, but that is about all I know regarding the project.

This link

http://www.classic-motorrad.de/CM2003/Eker...kerold-buch.htm

shows a pic of Jon Ekerold riding that bike.

I think pmbboy has mentioned before his part in building that bike on this forum. If he hasn't he should!!

I can remember a Snetterton Race of Aces meeting when Tony Jefferies rode it. Can't remember the year though.

1971 "I know coz I was there" (quote Max Boyce!!)

Its been said before by me and Roger,Andy et al, the Jon Ekerold book is well worth having as in my opinion it is the best book I have read on motorcycle racing, written completely (not ghost written!) by Jon himself, its one of my all time favorite books!! Jon we are waiting for part two!! PLEASE!!

Thanks for that Henry Snee. I feel a little foolish not knowing Ekerold was involved with the Fath machine, but then I haven´t read his book yet as I was never able to find a copy, well that´s my excuse anyhow .
I did notice at the bottom of the page in the link, Jon´s email address where it says a copy can be obtained. I have already sent off my order, so hopefully I will be in possession of my very own copy soon.
Just to go back to the Balde connection, I could have sworn I read/heard somewhere that Balde was connected to the project. Maybe PMBboy can clear this up, as I am sure he will know having been involved with Fath.

Baldé did indeed ride the 500 Fath you refer to, which was basically a well tuned König engine , placed in the frame 90° from what the Königs usually were.....but I think that was in 75 or 76 , so earlier than the picture linked above , and the Fath ridden by Ekerold may well have been a different project altogether .

Although his initial collaboration with Fath wasn't successful, Baldé remained on good terms with the german "sorcerer" who worked with him again when Baldé rode a semi-factory 250 Honda RS for team Katayama after his Kawasaki, Chevallier and Pernod days......and Fath did find a few "tricks" to make this bike very fast, much to the annoyement of the japanese factory mechanics apparently

I was involved with the build of this bike and at no time during the year 1978 was Balde involved.
I think the engine was used before 78 in a solo frame but i am not sure who rode it. When I built this bike the frame was built by Nicco Baker for the flat 4 engine and most of the running gear came from Yamaha parts and what we did not have we made by hand. I recall that we only raced the bike three times in 78 and that was at two Dutch internationals and at the Belgium GP. Jon and Helmut had a disagreement after this and we went our seperate ways with Jon taking all that belonged to him from the bike which left Helmut with the frame and engine. I do not know if the bike was ever rebuilt again but I must say I have never seen or heard of it after the 78 season.
cheers
Peter

Thanks Philippe and Peter for that info. Very interesting. It would appear that like many very talented men, Helmut Fath was his own worse enemy in that he fell out with the people who could have assisted his projects. I recall Martin Wimmer also being associated with Fath , but again a conflict of interests caused a break up. Sad, because I believe he was an exceptional engineer who could have achieved far more.

Here is another pic of Paddy Driver this should sort the Goatee question.


cheers
Peter

I agree the comments about Paddy, did he not have a Jaguar 2.4 or 3.4 as a transporter I seem to remember. I have some recollection of seeing it at Brands one day

Now that you mention the Jaguar transporter, it brings back memories as it stood abandoned at my father Doug's workshop which was in Beeston near Sandy in Bedfordshire for years and it was only scrapped when the business closed in 1976. Myself and bigrog used the front seats from the Jag in our tea room. I beleive that Paddy sold the Jag to Ian Burne who then used it during the 65 and 66 seasons,it was left with my dad to await Ian's return but then Ian had a change of plan and I beleive used a good old Thames van.
cheers
Peter

pmbboy ,well I never you are a mine of info I wondered where that Jag went. And poor Ian Burne who I spent a night on the IOM boat chatting to, met a sadly tragic end.

Speak out the word , and TRANSPORTER NERD is here ! A Jaguar sedan with a trailer ?

Thanks for translation Bjorn. From what I can remember Paddy didnt have a trailer but put the bikes in the back of the Jag.

Yes you are right the bikes were carried in the back of the Jag. The Jag was modified into an estate car with a wooden back much like the old Morris traveller and no back seats and then wheel gullies were added to keep the bikes located. The car was only capable of carring two bikes and two people with enough space for spares and sundries etc. It was really quite a luxurios form of travel for a racing motorcyclist.
Those were the days
cheers
Peter

I found this photo in my Dad's collection taken at the TT 1963 you might recognise them.
[/IMG]
cheers
Peter

Thanks Peter. I know someone who reads this forum will be very chuffed to see that pic. I´m refering to Tiny´s son-in-law who emailed me just to give me an update.
Tiny is well and still lives in PE, but sadly Bernie passed away 2 years ago from a blood clot. As you probably know, Bernie was Audi competition manager when Sarel Van der Merwe ruled with that incredable popping beast he thrashed around Kayalami like no one else I have ever seen. Awesome spectacle it was.

Hi Peter

I have just seen some of your recent posting....some great photographs by the way

I am particularly interested in Gary Hocking and have for a number of years been gathering research materials with the intention of writing a book about Gary. You seem knowledgable about racing in Southern Africa at the time Gary raced and I was wondering if you had any details about Gary you could share. Would any of the photographs your father took be available for such a publication?

I have included a link to an image of Gary. I know this is a motorcycle related thread but I was wondering if you recognise the guy standing with Gary. I believe the photograph was taken some time after the Oulton Park Gold Cup in August 1962


Regards

Nick














[img]http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=garykg3.jpg][IMG]http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7699/garykg3.th.jpg[/img]

Nick, this image doesn't seem to behave as a "thumbnail" should, it doesn't get any bigger when you click on it so it makes it rather hard to identify people.....there may be something wrong with the imageshack hosting you made .

Hello Nick,

Regarding Gary Hocking - no doubt you will already be aware of a Welsh connection? Not sure if he was born there or not, but I believe Gary had a brother called Duncan Hockin who lived in Newport (Wales) and who did some motorcycle sprinting (standing quarter mile type).

Barry.

Hi Nick. Like you, and for obvious reasons, Sox has a very, very special place in my heart as well as my memories. He was the idol of every young fellow in Rhodesia and South Africa, and I was no exception. I was so privileged to have met him and a nicer guy you would be hard pressed to meet. I don´t know if you have seen the web site dedicated to him, but if not, this is the link http://www.prisonpotpourri.com/Sport/Hocki...ry_Hocking.html
If you google his name you will come up with many more sources of info. Good luck and please let us know if and when your book becomes available. I will definitely be buying a copy.
On a more sombre note, I travelled down to Westmead with a group of friends for the inagural meeting there, and Sox took on, and beat, everyone in the 500 race, and he was on a 350. I can´t remember if it was a 7R AJS or a Manx Norton (I have a feeling it was a 7R), but I do recall it was painted plain white. It is that ride that will live forever in my memory. He was simply unbelievable that day. I recall how happy he was after that race, as were all of us, little knowing that we would also live through the most terrible (for me) day in racing right there, just a few years later.
Oh well, such is life.

Many thanks to you all for those prompt replies.

Yes Philippe the image clearly isn't suitable. I have followed instructions in the FAQ but still I am not able to get thumbnail to link to larger image..must be something I am still doing wrong. I suspect the photograph was taken back home in Southern Rhodesia (Gary's car - the ex Tim Parnell Lotus - not the Lotus he was killed in at Westmead) but thought it might just be worth posting...I will get this sorted!

Barry, you are correct with Gary's Welsh connection. Indeed he was born in South Wales and is buried in Christchurch cemetary on the outskirts on Newport, Gwent. Again the details you remember about his younger brother Duncan are spot on. He was involved in motorcycle sprinting and by all accounts seemed very good at it. He lived in the states for some time but is now back living in South Wales and has recently starting sprinting again on a bike he has built himself.

Ex Rodie Racer - thanks for details about the link. I was in contact with the author some time ago but have been meaning to get in touch again as I have a few bits and pieces she may want to place on her excellent site. I understand the plain white machine was a 7R AJS as you correctly pointed out. During my research it has clear just how much Gary was universally liked. Despite the passing of time there are so many people who remember him with affection.


Peter - many thanks for the details. I have a small number of photos but would very much welcome any you may have. Naturally the MV period is what most Europeans remember him for but I am very keen to have any images which would help to document his career. You mentioned you dad's place it's interesting to know these sort of 'snippets'. Would it be possible to e-mail me via arobwine@aol.com


Regards

Nick

Nick , I guess you have done the search BB here ? But also have a look at some of the other thread that come up under "Gary Hocking".

This would belong to the "1969-1990" thread really, but since the topic was started here.....the "Bike 70" website just put on line a mass of photos from Jean-François Baldé's private collection , including this one of the 500 Fath where you can catch a glimpse of the engine......

http://www.appeldephare.com/legend/balde/d_jfb52.html

There great Philippe, can you put them on the 69-90 thread so more can see them?