6 replies to this topic

[freddy46]

http://www.rodcolema.../moto_1951.html
Hi,
On this page, you can see Rod Coleman lead Fergus Anderson in the Mons GP
If you have any photo or document about this race, please send me theses
Many thank
Freddy

[Russell Burrows]

http://www.rodcolema.../moto_1951.html
Hi,
On this page, you can see Rod Coleman lead Fergus Anderson in the Mons GP
If you have any photo or document about this race, please send me theses
Many thank
Freddy

Hi Freddy, I'm afraid I can't help with any information, but perhaps you can assist me: when did Rod Coleman race factory Nortons?

[gmwzorro]

http://www.rodcolema.../moto_1951.html
Hi,
On this page, you can see Rod Coleman lead Fergus Anderson in the Mons GP
If you have any photo or document about this race, please send me theses
Many thank
Freddy

All I have is the results from the Motorcycling Yearbook 1952
350cc: 1 L. V. Perry Norton 76.20mph 2 F. Anderson 257 Guzzi 3 W. A. McAlpine AJS
FL Perry, Anderson & McAlpine 77.90mph
500cc: 1 R. W. Coleman Norton 81.60mph 2 L. V. Perry Norton 3 C. W. Petch Norton
FL Coleman 83.20
Sidecar: 1 E. Oliver Norton 2 F. Vanderschrick Norton 3 A. Vervroegen FN
FL Oliver 70. 70mph
Gary

Edited by gmwzorro, 25 September 2009 - 18:42.

[freddy46]

Hi Freddy, I'm afraid I can't help with any information, but perhaps you can assist me: when did Rod Coleman race factory Nortons?

Hi,
At the end of the 1951 season, Rod Coleman had had the choice of contract both AJS and Norton and he had chosen AJS because the porcupine was faster than the works Nortons.
Freddy.

[Rob Semmeling]

Race report (in Dutch) from "Motorsport":

[freddy46]

Hi Freddy, I'm afraid I can't help with any information, but perhaps you can assist me: when did Rod Coleman race factory Nortons?

The following is the answer of Rod Coleman himself

Dear Freddy,

The Norton I rode at Mons was the first of the new Featherbed racing models and had not been seen in Belgium before. So that Fergus Anderson and other riders said it was a works model. Particularly when he found it was as fast as his works Moto Guzzi. I rode this same Norton just 4 more times. In the Dutch TT, Belgian Grand Prix, French Grand Prix and in Switzerland where it was first place again.

After those races was invited to be a factory rider for A JS for the Ulster Grand Prix, Italian Grand Prix and at Silverstone in England.

For the 1952 racing season I did have the option of being a factory rider for either Norton or A JS. I chose A JS because their standard touring motorcycles were superior to those of Norton plus my contract with A JS stated that I could have the sole New Zealand franchise for their standard motorcycles.

The 1953 racing season with AJS was very frustrating so I agreed to change to Norton. But shortly after this A JS purchased the Norton factory and made me stay with them. However Norton did agree to send me a works engine for the 1954 New Zealand and Australian season. I used this to win the New Zealand TT & the Australian TT. As well as all the other races I rode in New Zealand. All of these results are in the back of my book "The Colemans".

Hope this is what you wanted but if you wish to have more information please let me know.

Kindest regards,

Rod

[Russell Burrows]

The following is the answer of Rod Coleman himself

Dear Freddy,

The Norton I rode at Mons was the first of the new Featherbed racing models and had not been seen in Belgium before. So that Fergus Anderson and other riders said it was a works model. Particularly when he found it was as fast as his works Moto Guzzi. I rode this same Norton just 4 more times. In the Dutch TT, Belgian Grand Prix, French Grand Prix and in Switzerland where it was first place again.

After those races was invited to be a factory rider for A JS for the Ulster Grand Prix, Italian Grand Prix and at Silverstone in England.

For the 1952 racing season I did have the option of being a factory rider for either Norton or A JS. I chose A JS because their standard touring motorcycles were superior to those of Norton plus my contract with A JS stated that I could have the sole New Zealand franchise for their standard motorcycles.

The 1953 racing season with AJS was very frustrating so I agreed to change to Norton. But shortly after this A JS purchased the Norton factory and made me stay with them. However Norton did agree to send me a works engine for the 1954 New Zealand and Australian season. I used this to win the New Zealand TT & the Australian TT. As well as all the other races I rode in New Zealand. All of these results are in the back of my book "The Colemans".

Hope this is what you wanted but if you wish to have more information please let me know.

Kindest regards,

Rod

Freddy, (and Rod) thanks very much for this. It really is fascinating information; turning down a factory Norton ride, blimey....