The AUTOSPORT Bulletin Board > Motorcycle racing; 1949-1968 nostalgia

Russell Burrows

Sep 25 2009, 19:00

QUOTE (Continental Circus @ Sep 25 2009, 19:42)

Hi guys, I have a photo of Ian Simpson which we have no idea who is in the picture.
They all appear to belong to a team which raced in the late 1950,s. I think the rider is second from the right, his face is familiar but not his name. The guy on the right in the dark blazer appears in several shots. We think the team was based in the north of England or Ireland. They have shots of Oulton Park, IoM and Spanish GP, any help to open Pandora's box please.

Roy

Roy, the bloke on the extreme right looks not unlike journo, Charlie Rous.....? The other guy does look kinda familiar, but I can't think to even have a stab at it.

larryd

Sep 25 2009, 19:10

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 25 2009, 20:00)

Roy, the bloke on the extreme right looks not unlike journo, Charlie Rous.....? The other guy does look kinda familiar, but I can't think to even have a stab at it.

You've got me on that one Roy - any chance of a look at the IOM ones?

Continental Circus

Sep 25 2009, 19:56

QUOTE (larryd @ Sep 25 2009, 20:10)

You've got me on that one Roy - any chance of a look at the IOM ones?

Thanks for that Russ, now he was a genuine guy. It amazes me reading the Comic, they have 'alleged' staffmen who have never repaired a puncture let alone lay a spanner to the bike.
Ian has the IoM pics Larry, sadly they are of the stars Duke, Bob Mac, Surtees, Graham, Dale, so were not the teams rider.
Did not Charlie Rous do some sprinting between running newspapers. We have some shots of sprinters.
Roy

Continental Circus

Sep 26 2009, 09:53

QUOTE (Continental Circus @ Sep 25 2009, 20:56)

Thanks for that Russ, now he was a genuine guy. It amazes me reading the Comic, they have 'alleged' staffmen who have never repaired a puncture let alone lay a spanner to the bike.
Ian has the IoM pics Larry, sadly they are of the stars Duke, Bob Mac, Surtees, Graham, Dale, so were not the teams rider.
Did not Charlie Rous do some sprinting between running newspapers. We have some shots of sprinters.
Roy

I think you are right Russ about Charlie Rous, he is in a series of workshop shots with Vincent engines and sprint bikes. Charlie Rous later sprinted 'Quasimodo' in1964 at Debden. I believe Ians shots were late 1950's.
To keep your eye in this one has a famous jockey, but what is he riding?
Roy

larryd

Sep 26 2009, 10:50

QUOTE (Continental Circus @ Sep 26 2009, 10:53)

I think you are right Russ about Charlie Rous, he is in a series of workshop shots with Vincent engines and sprint bikes. Charlie Rous later sprinted 'Quasimodo' in1964 at Debden. I believe Ians shots were late 1950's.
To keep your eye in this one has a famous jockey, but what is he riding?
Roy

That's our Ralphie on a 50cc Benelli.

HEMEYLA

Sep 26 2009, 12:56

QUOTE (larryd @ Sep 26 2009, 12:50)

That's our Ralphie on a 50cc Benelli.

Benelli moped racer ..... PDF ...... Click.

fil2.8

Sep 26 2009, 13:23

Thought HW and others ( myself included ) Ariel 2-smoke lovers would like this shot from Brands , Thats a shame , it's a tad blurred

picblanc

Sep 26 2009, 15:43

This one isn't!!

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

fil2.8

Sep 26 2009, 15:59

Are you sure Mr Fu

??
Thought you'd been on the meths again

Continental Circus

Sep 26 2009, 16:26

QUOTE (fil2.8 @ Sep 26 2009, 16:59)

Are you sure Mr Fu

??
Thought you'd been on the meths again

Thats very interesting about the Benelli, full marks Larry and the article on the history of 50cc Benelli was great Hemeyla.
Going back to Charlie Rous, I have found a great shot of him in action on Google Images. Does anyone have a photo of Charlie as a scribe without helmet please.
Roy

Herr Wankel

Sep 26 2009, 19:01

QUOTE (picblanc @ Sep 26 2009, 17:43)

This one isn't!!

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

Thanks Graham

Looks like the pilot is pedaling the old girl along quite nicely.Went to see Tom (Motard) on the Arrow today at Pau Arnos Circuit.2 practice sessions today,race in the morning on the R3.T'arrer was making some very queer noises on the way home,so the promised 'open crank surgery' will be sooner rather than later

HW

Continental Circus

Sep 28 2009, 20:00

QUOTE (Herr Wankel @ Sep 26 2009, 20:01)

Thanks Graham

Looks like the pilot is pedaling the old girl along quite nicely.Went to see Tom (Motard) on the Arrow today at Pau Arnos Circuit.2 practice sessions today,race in the morning on the R3.T'arrer was making some very queer noises on the way home,so the promised 'open crank surgery' will be sooner rather than later

HW

Carrying on the Ariel Leader/Arrow theme. This is another mystery picture from Ian Simpson. It probably was taken near Selly Oak in the late 1950's. I am wondering if the rider is a 'Motor Cycle' tester, possibly Bill Currie.
Any help will be great.
Thanks,
Roy

Paul Rochdale

Sep 28 2009, 20:22

You mean the late BOB Currie.............and no, that wasn't him.

Herr Wankel

Sep 28 2009, 20:25

QUOTE (Continental Circus @ Sep 28 2009, 22:00)

Carrying on the Ariel Leader/Arrow theme. This is another mystery picture from Ian Simpson. It probably was taken near Selly Oak in the late 1950's. I am wondering if the rider is a 'Motor Cycle' tester, possibly Bill Currie.
Any help will be great.
Thanks,
Roy

Hi Roy,
Its a brum registration number,so could be a 'factory' bike.Not Uncle Bob though,I don't think.
HW

GD66

Sep 29 2009, 07:59

Could be Ralph Venables on the bike. It's certainly Cyril Quantrill with the pipe.

peterd

Sep 29 2009, 08:49

No, don't think it's Ralph. He had sharper features.

Also, I think he was a trials, enduro and scrambles man.

GD66

Sep 29 2009, 09:08

Bernal Osborne then ?

Edit : Or...Rab Cook. Thinking back, Bernal used to wear a dark helmet.

Continental Circus

Sep 29 2009, 09:50

QUOTE (GD66 @ Sep 29 2009, 10:08)

Bernal Osborne then ?

One out of three is great, was not Cyril Quantrill behind the newspaper concept with 'Motor Cycle News' and 'Motor Cyclist Illustarted'.
He was a well respected journalist. Thanks Paul for amending my failing memory on Bob Currie and GD66 for confiming Cyril Quantrill, though there is some info on the net, there is not much on the scribes.
Keep up the good work chaps,
Roy

chrisb

Sep 29 2009, 18:58

QUOTE (picblanc @ Sep 18 2009, 20:13)

I have one Sterling, bought it from Chater & Scott at Brands, cost me £5.95 cant remember when...2004?

Great book!!

Had a loft excursion recently and, speaking of the Palace, I came across the programme, Souvenir insert and competitors paddock pass from the last bike meeting held there on Bank Holiday Monday in August '72. Amazed it survived....

GD66

Sep 29 2009, 20:59

Tony Rutter on the cover ?

chrisb

Sep 29 2009, 21:05

QUOTE (GD66 @ Sep 29 2009, 21:59)

Tony Rutter on the cover ?

yes. I've got 2 or 3 palace programmes from the period and the covers are all identical. Don't know why - maybe just cheaper for them to reproduce the same artwork?

Russell Burrows

Sep 29 2009, 21:10

Yeah, odd choice of rider though as I don't think he ever rode there.

exclubracer

Sep 29 2009, 22:58

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 29 2009, 23:10)

Yeah, odd choice of rider though as I don't think he ever rode there.

Yes Russell, a bit before TR's time methinks, a touch of jounalistic licence perhaps?

Herr Wankel

Sep 30 2009, 14:42

QUOTE (exclubracer @ Sep 30 2009, 00:58)

Yes Russell, a bit before TR's time methinks, a touch of jounalistic licence perhaps?

Hi Mick,Russell and all,
I've got a prog. from the 1968 Mallory Race of the Year.One TR (Brierley Hill engineer,is that a Fred Clarke'ism?) entered on a 350 Manx.So he could have been at the Palace.
HW

chrisb

Sep 30 2009, 16:03

QUOTE (Herr Wankel @ Sep 30 2009, 15:42)

Hi Mick,Russell and all,
I've got a prog. from the 1968 Mallory Race of the Year.One TR (Brierley Hill engineer,is that a Fred Clarke'ism?) entered on a 350 Manx.So he could have been at the Palace.
HW

Don't know if it was an era/timing thing Russ was referring to - I have him in a Thruxton programme '71 on a Yamaha

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 16:14

QUOTE (Herr Wankel @ Sep 30 2009, 15:42)

Hi Mick,Russell and all,
I've got a prog. from the 1968 Mallory Race of the Year.One TR (Brierley Hill engineer,is that a Fred Clarke'ism?) entered on a 350 Manx.So he could have been at the Palace.
HW

Hi Herr, yeah you're right, he was of an age - think he started sometime in the early sixties- and he could have snuk in there at some stage, but there were only two meetings a year then and he dosen't appear in any of the programmes I've found to date. Nice bike by the way...even if I'm not sure what it is.

fil2.8

Sep 30 2009, 16:17

QUOTE (chrisb @ Sep 30 2009, 17:03)

Don't know if it was an era/timing thing Russ was referring to - I have him in a Thruxton programme '71 on a Yamaha

And I have TR Yamaha mounted Sunday April 13 , Thruxton 1969 in the 250 , finished 5th in the heat , and 4th in the final !!!

Any advance on that

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 16:20

QUOTE (chrisb @ Sep 30 2009, 17:03)

Don't know if it was an era/timing thing Russ was referring to - I have him in a Thruxton programme '71 on a Yamaha

Yes Chris, just making the observation that I have no memory of him racing there.

fil2.8

Sep 30 2009, 16:30

QUOTE (Herr Wankel @ Sep 30 2009, 15:42)

Hi Mick,Russell and all,
I've got a prog. from the 1968 Mallory Race of the Year.One TR (Brierley Hill engineer,is that a Fred Clarke'ism?) entered on a 350 Manx.So he could have been at the Palace.
HW

And I also have him Easter Monday , 11 April 1966 Norton 350 , which was an International , and SMBH 's first outing as a full Honda works rider

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 16:35

As I was saying........Wordesley, that's up near Birminghamshire somewhere isn't it...August Bank Holiday meeting '64.

Note to self: engage brain before opening big gob.

picblanc

Sep 30 2009, 17:11

QUOTE (exclubracer @ Sep 29 2009, 23:58)

Yes Russell, a bit before TR's time methinks, a touch of jounalistic licence perhaps?

He was racing in mid/late 60's Mick, I saw him in 1971 (admittedly not at Crystal Palace)
Strange choice for the 72 prog though?

picblanc

Sep 30 2009, 17:18

1971

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

Yendor

Sep 30 2009, 17:40

QUOTE (picblanc @ Sep 30 2009, 18:18)

1971

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

Snetterton?

chrisb

Sep 30 2009, 18:02

QUOTE (Yendor @ Sep 30 2009, 18:40)

Snetterton?

Looks like it (Graham?) Ceriani forks on the TR2 - Didn't LutonBoy use them on his private championship winning TD2 (oops - prob on the wrong thread for that question)

Continental Circus

Sep 30 2009, 18:11

QUOTE (Yendor @ Sep 30 2009, 18:40)

Snetterton?

Sorry to break in, but I have another unknown Ian Simpson shot. It is one of a series of race workshop pictures, possibly sprint bikes in the late 1950's.
This appears to be a Vincent, any help please.

Roy

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 18:17

QUOTE (Continental Circus @ Sep 30 2009, 19:11)

Sorry to break in, but I have another unknown Ian Simpson shot. It is one of a series of race workshop pictures, possibly sprint bikes in the late 1950's.
This appears to be a Vincent, any help please.

Roy

Not sure about the bike Roy, but these are the same blokes as in the earlier picture; the fair haired bloke as wel as the guy on the left who is either Charlie Rous or his doppelganger.

Continental Circus

Sep 30 2009, 18:41

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 30 2009, 19:17)

Not sure about the bike Roy, but these are the same blokes as in the earlier picture; the fair haired bloke as wel as the guy on the left who is either Charlie Rous or his doppelganger.

Yes you are right Russ, here is another shot of same guys with which looks like a Vincent Comet single. Not sure whether this is a road race bike or sprinter.
Its thinking heads on chaps please.

Roy

picblanc

Sep 30 2009, 18:43

QUOTE (Yendor @ Sep 30 2009, 18:40)

Snetterton?

Correct Rod, Race of Aces.

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 18:47

QUOTE (Continental Circus @ Sep 30 2009, 19:41)

Yes you are right Russ, here is another shot of same guys with which looks like a Vincent Comet single. Not sure whether this is a road race bike or sprinter.
Its thinking heads on chaps please.

Roy

I think it's a Vinnie Twin Roy with what looks like period sidecar racing rubber on the front ? You're right though it does look like a spinter but why fit a front tyre like that, even if it was an outfit sprinter?

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 18:50

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 30 2009, 17:35)

As I was saying........Wordesley, that's up near Birminghamshire somewhere isn't it...August Bank Holiday meeting '64.

Note to self: engage brain before opening big gob.

Lots of names here: Rod must have been racing illegally though - couldn't have been more than 15 in '64.

chrisb

Sep 30 2009, 20:00

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 30 2009, 19:50)

Lots of names here: Rod must have been racing illegally though - couldn't have been more than 15 in '64.

Russ - is this you No. 115 by any chance? (it isnt only Palace programmes I found. Honest)

Chris

larryd

Sep 30 2009, 20:00

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 30 2009, 19:50)

Lots of names here: Rod must have been racing illegally though - couldn't have been more than 15 in '64.

Lot of interesting names - one A C Peck on a 350 (that would have been a Manx) - Alan wrote the Bill Ivy biography which was/is ten times the book that the recent Mick Walker effort is!!

picblanc

Sep 30 2009, 20:12

QUOTE (larryd @ Sep 30 2009, 21:00)

Lot of interesting names - one A C Peck on a 350 (that would have been a Manx) - Alan wrote the Bill Ivy biography which was/is ten times the book that the recent Mick Walker effort is!!

Glad you said that Larry, coz I agree, I thought it was a great book, but it often gets 'slagged' off! I dont know why?

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 20:18

QUOTE (chrisb @ Sep 30 2009, 21:00)

Russ - is this you No. 115 by any chance? (it isnt only Palace programmes I found. Honest)

Chris

It is...11th, which I suppose could have been worse with all those strokers about.

Oh Yeah, I particulary remeber this meeting, cos the factory triples were there - Pickrell, Smart and Tait and not a mudguard in sight...

Russell Burrows

Sep 30 2009, 20:41

QUOTE (larryd @ Sep 30 2009, 21:00)

Lot of interesting names - one A C Peck on a 350 (that would have been a Manx) - Alan wrote the Bill Ivy biography which was/is ten times the book that the recent Mick Walker effort is!!

Yeah, I thought it was good too, at least when I read it, which was about 40 years ago. Does anyone remember Alan's account of his racing career which was serialised in, I think, Motorcylist Ilustrated. Again, as a young bloke I thought it was brilliant.

The palace programme page also includes Godfrey Nash; Gordon Pantall; Jim Russell; Charlie Sanby; Clive Offer; Graham Sharp; John Simmonds.

Yendor

Sep 30 2009, 22:03

QUOTE (Russell Burrows @ Sep 30 2009, 19:50)

Lots of names here: Rod must have been racing illegally though - couldn't have been more than 15 in '64.

If you look at my license number you'll get my date of birth

RRT2

Oct 1 2009, 18:32

Good evening

Look what happens when you let someone use your shed for a couple of weeks!!

Rennmax

Oct 1 2009, 18:52

Lovely

with big John in the background ?

Russell Burrows

Oct 1 2009, 18:53

QUOTE (RRT2 @ Oct 1 2009, 19:32)

Good evening

Look what happens when you let someone use your shed for a couple of weeks!!

Hi there, must be on the Island around '55? Ah yes Renn, Surtees...must be later - 56/7?

larryd

Oct 1 2009, 20:12

QUOTE (Rennmax @ Oct 1 2009, 19:52)

Lovely

with big John in the background ?

Sorry Renn, but you've fallen into the old trap!

"Il Grande John", as the Ferrari (not MV) tifosi knew him, means "John the Great" - preferable, don't you think??