55 replies to this topic

[joeninety]

The title says it all. Even a tenuous link

[rd500]

i siopped off at donington friday practice in 2008 for the moto gp. the lunchtime break was on and randy was going round on that godawful electric 2 seater thing when the cry came from the crowd "didnt realise the 1098s were as fast as that" i was lucky though, that ended and i got to see what i went for, the 125/250s then hightailed it before the glorified procession came out!
i know its not a motorsport one but as we all have had 2 strokes it might ring a bell.
a few years ago i was stopped on the 500 at a set of traffic lights when an informative lad who was on some modern sports bike drew alongside, tapped me on the shoulder and said "ive been following you and you better get that bike looked at, its smoking like hell" i thanked him trying not to laugh and said ill see to it right away. classic

[fil2.8]

i know its not a motorsport one but as we all have had 2 strokes it might ring a bell.
a few years ago i was stopped on the 500 at a set of traffic lights when an informative lad who was on some modern sports bike drew alongside, tapped me on the shoulder and said "ive been following you and you better get that bike looked at, its smoking like hell" i thanked him trying not to laugh and said ill see to it right away. classic

Sign of the times , unfortunately

[dommieracer]

OK i know i did this on another thread but seeing we have tales of the unexpected bit now thought it should have a proper home

Myself with Steve Parrish.

On our way through the paddock of the 1985 British GP we passed all of the garages, when some bloke in rothmans colours is in front of us and says ' hello steve'. Steve replies ' look listen i've got this foreign prince with me who cant speak a word of ******* english, and i am supposed to show him around blah blah, can you help?' Sure this guy says. Steve looks at me and winks. We go into Freddie Spencers garage and steve looks at me and nods towards the bike. I am standing looking at Spencers bike when the rothmans guy comes over and puts his hand on the seat and looks at me and says 'SIT' and points to the seat. Steve pushes me towards the bike and i get on. Well in for a penny in for a pound i thought. BRRMMM BRRMM i go twisting the throttle. The looks on the crew was fantastic as they paniced over this kid playing with their bike. Hence to say we was out of that garage rather pronto. Steve said that was bloody brill, who's next! Walking past more garages steve shoves me into a door way and starts to shout ' sorry your majesty, sorry how can i pay you for my mistake!' and does no more than kneel in front of me. i looked down at him and thought oh what do i say! i then said ' i asked for a coke, not pepsi you moron! Steve replies 'sorry, i shall be right back with your drink, please sit on this bike your majesty. He talks to some blokes then runs off out the back of the garage! Some time passed and i bagan to think that i had been left high and dry by Mr Prankster Parrish. Any how the crew kept on looking at me and would nod their heads when they walked past. I still dont know what team garage i was in but i was rescued in the end by none other than Barry Sheene! He took me out the back of the garage and gave me back to Steve. Barry and Steve are chatting over what Prince thingamybob has been doing when Murray Walker appears, Murray looks at me grinning and asks what are you lot upto? Nothing, not us, why whats happened was the kind of joint reply. Murray looks at me and asks, ' are you related to either of these two?' No i reply. ' Thank god for that there is a chance then. Any how the rest of the day was fab but wet. I was either in the shell suite or in the yamaha garage.

Kevin

[picblanc]

I wish I'd been there when Dudley Crammond apparently stamped on Charlie "Wilkies" foot and proceeded to pull his deerstalker down over his eyes.
Talking of Cadwell there were the Barker Bros who in the early hours drove a tractor onto the circuit then woke up the paddock and probaly half of Louth when they tapped into the Tannoy system with "ATTENTION PADDOCK - ATTENTION PADDOCK" ! They along with Alex Bedford always seemed to be up to something.
I suppose today they would be too engrossed in setting up the bike with Microsoft bike tuner Pro-mark 12

Or sorting out their hair.

[Paul Collins]

I wish I'd been there when Dudley Crammond apparently stamped on Charlie "Wilkies" foot and proceeded to pull his deerstalker down over his eyes.
Talking of Cadwell there were the Barker Bros who in the early hours drove a tractor onto the circuit then woke up the paddock and probaly half of Louth when they tapped into the Tannoy system with "ATTENTION PADDOCK - ATTENTION PADDOCK" ! They along with Alex Bedford always seemed to be up to something.
I suppose today they would be too engrossed in setting up the bike with Microsoft bike tuner Pro-mark 12

I remember the tractor incident, they didnt just drive it onto the track they actually lost control of it going down that really steep hill into the old assembly area, went straight through the fence, over the barrier and rolled it onto the track!!

A real pair of characters the Barkers, always good entertainment if you were staying over at Cadwell and fancied a few cans of beer on a summer evening, but it was always wise to make your excuses and turn in before it got too late and the cabaret started

Erm..........and I dont know anything about the 2am paddock announcements either yer honor

[Paul Collins]

I never mentioned a specific time, I will therefore put it to you, you know more than you are letting on, I rest my case, for now. I call before me character witness Paul Collins. I swear by god to......bla bla...bla....

Lets just say it was a quartet not a solo effort

[supercomp]

Sign of the times , unfortunately

Chris

Alex Bedford and the Barkers were always up to some pranks! We should make a list of them (fireworks under the seat etc!!).

Good fun and fast riders. They 'spread the word' at Cadwell through the tannoy system, but Alex is now doing it through the church (See excerpt below). He has finally realised Scotland is the place to be and lives near Glasgow! We keep in touch with occasional e-mails.

Remember Alex and I had won Howitt Printing Donington Rider of the year awards, and had to go to very posh London Grosvenor Hotel to collect the awards. Star studded night with Johhny Dumfries, Martin Brundle etc. Award was cash (ie real notes). I think I got £1000. Of course Alex & I decided to go clubbing but did not want to wander about with cash. Went to a police station to ask them if they could 'look after' cash for us, and they tried to arrest us! Must have thought we were drug dealers!

"Alex Bedford worked for 7 years as evangelist with St George’s Tron.
Still based in Glasgow, he now has a wider itinerant
ministry, available for missions, training in
churches, and helping to introduce and run CE

[picblanc]

Alex has got his work cut out then!
Nice one Donnie.

[dommieracer]

OK, i give up my crown. After looking at your pics i need to work on the name/pic dropping do i? Can i get away with a real king? Albeit with aircraft and not bikes.

[GD66]

Crown ?? All donations are warmly and equally received, Dommie, it's not a contest.

Re the Joe Potts stand, the Lucas banner refers to Monza 1961, with the 500 results on top, then the 350. Incidentally, this was Hailwood's only pointscoring result on the 350 MV that year, and Gustav Havel finished third on the Jawa.

[rotrax]

Hi, In about 1977 or 1978 I was in the KMUK workshop with a particulaly mouthy journalist who was heavily into drag racing.He was banging on when Alec Wright- Colins dad- came into the conversation. At the time he was overweight, middle aged and did not look as if he would be comfortable with a mo-ped. Alec mentioned how extreme body lean had to be used on occaision to keep a powerful drag bike straight. "How the **** would you know" said loudmouth. "You know that Dutch bloke with the double engined job who has just broke all them records" said Alec." You mean Henk Vink " said loudmouth." Yeah " replied Alec very casualy- "Henk let me have a go on it " Collapse of stout party!

[rotrax]

Another little gem from the fast fading memory banks. Scene-Waterloo Road, Epsom, Surrey. Just by the back entrance to Arthur Wheelers premises. Cast- Arthur Wheeler, shop manager Frank Couts and yours truly. Job- to get Arthurs newly painted and plated 1911 TT Triumph going. Arthur was to ride it in the Pioneer run on the following sunday. As a certain Phil Read was on Lord Montagues Norton "Old Miracle" a brave choice had been made on the gearing. Remember, a TT Triumph was clutchless and single geared belt drive.It would do about 65 mph. If the engine was going,you were going! Frank and I pushed while Arthur ran alongside, fiddling with the ignition advance and the throttle lever-no twistgrip,a pair of levers,one air one fuel. Arthur was a fit little bugger and Frank soon dropped out. I carried on untill Arthur got the mixture and advance right. The newly tuned and high geared Triumph shot off down the road with Arthur- a tiny little man- hanging on the drop handlebars like a flag! The bike and Arthur dissapeared round the bend in the road,Arthurs feet touching the ground about every fifteen feet or so. About five minuetes later Arthur rode the Triumph into the workshop yard. "Well Arthur" said Frank "We fancied you were coming off it just now." " It is very surprising how fast you can run when you have just paid fifty quid to have the tank painted" replied Arthur.

[RC162]

Here's one that did the rounds several years ago and involves Nigel Bosworth and Clive Horton.

Nigel was at Cadwell Park, if I remember this all correctly, and took quite a tumble in practice. The bike and his kit were all in a bit of a state but Nigel was able to put the bike together again and borrow some leathers and kit. The only issue was another pair of boots as the sole was half off on one of them. Nigel was walking through the pits trying to find some when he came upon Clive Horton who had heard about his tumble. He looked at the boots and went inside his jacket to pull out a huge roll of notes. Nigel thought his luck was in but Clive pulled off the elastic band round the notes and gave it to Nigel saying ' here put this round it ' and put the notes back in his jacket. Funny or what !

[fil2.8]

Here's one that did the rounds several years ago and involves Nigel Bosworth and Clive Horton.

Nigel was at Cadwell Park, if I remember this all correctly, and took quite a tumble in practice. The bike and his kit were all in a bit of a state but Nigel was able to put the bike together again and borrow some leathers and kit. The only issue was another pair of boots as the sole was half off on one of them. Nigel was walking through the pits trying to find some when he came upon Clive Horton who had heard about his tumble. He looked at the boots and went inside his jacket to pull out a huge roll of notes. Nigel thought his luck was in but Clive pulled off the elastic band round the notes and gave it to Nigel saying ' here put this round it ' and put the notes back in his jacket. Funny or what !

, that sounds like Clive , alright

[GD66]

Arthur was a fit little bugger

Have to agree ! One Saturday night some years ago during a classic meeting at Eastern Creek, NSW, promoted by Bob Blythe, a couple of friends and I were returning from a restaurant to the Blacktown Travelodge, where most of the riders were staying. In those days John Cronshaw and Dave Roper were the featured stars, but Arthur Wheeler would regularly turn up and gallop round, and on this occasion was accompanied by John Kidson. Having been in the bar attacking Aussie beer by the pint, Arthur and John were just heading out for Kings Cross as we got home ! While they waited for a cab, we chatted, and John told us a ripper yarn about a crash he'd had in the Isle of Man, I think it was in the 1964 250 TT on the Moto Guzzi. John arrived too quick out Glen Helen way, and biffed the Guzzi up the road. Running after it, he picked the bike up and began kicking the rests and pedals straight to restart. He was about to set off, when the sector marshal arrived, and quite concerned at the spectacular nature of the crash, wanted to check John was ok. He instructed him to follow-track his fingers as he waved them slowly, left to right and back. John did, but unfortunately, and unbeknown to the marshal, John has a glass eye, and the tracking test was pretty much an abject failure, so the marshal, despite John's protestations, wouldn't allow him to restart ! Aaaargh !

[dommieracer]

Talking about marshals stopping riders from getting back on. Here's a short one from my dad John Sweet.

At his first sidecar TT in 1965, John came flying towards Parliament Square for the last time only to find that the rear brake pedal had gone! John shot up the escape road and spun the outfit round and went to rejoin the race. The marshals stopped him and said 'whats up laddie?' My dad took off his goggles as fast as he could and said ' a bird s**t on my goggles' and rubbed them against his passengers leathers as if to clean them. 'OK off you go then' the main marshal said and my dad went on to finish the TT.

This is my dad coming out of Parliament Square, first lap. http://www.flickr.co...N06/5441656181/


Ok, no worries by the way J90

Cheers

Kevin

[Russell Burrows]

Kevin, ever since you put up the colour pics of your dad, it's begun to stir memories - I think I just about remember seeing this outfit in action at Brands. What about the Palace, did they ever race there?

[dommieracer]

Kevin, ever since you put up the colour pics of your dad, it's begun to stir memories - I think I just about remember seeing this outfit in action at Brands. What about the Palace, did they ever race there?

Hi Russell, yes my dad raced at the Palace. I have a short cine clip of him there but on his BSA outfit, i think it had the gold/bronze fairings on it. He raced at many other places aswell and had sponsors/entrants such as Steve Lancefield, Woollet and Sharp, Monty and Ward, Eggleton etc.

Kevin

[Robin127]

About 10 years ago I was speaking to a fairly well known classic and vintage racer about his bikes. He had seven different machines, all painted the same colour, his wife only saw them one a time on the trailer and always thought it was the same bike....he'd told her he only had one bike.

[fil2.8]

About 10 years ago I was speaking to a fairly well known classic and vintage racer about his bikes. He had seven different machines, all painted the same colour, his wife only saw them one a time on the trailer and always thought it was the same bike....he'd told her he only had one bike.

hadn't thought of that ...............................

[fil2.8]

I know one chap from Batley ! who had three Nortons a 53 garden gate ES2 a 59 featherbed ES2 and a 62'ish 650 SS all used the same tax disc and number plate ;)

I knew several riders who apparently had 2 different vans , depending on which country they were in ..................( allegedly , of course )

[terryshep]

I know one chap from Batley ! who had three Nortons a 53 garden gate ES2 a 59 featherbed ES2 and a 62'ish 650 SS all used the same tax disc and number plate ;)

Back in the dim & distant past when I couldn't afford any transport, I used to ride my bike to the meetings if they were close, like Oulton Park, Aintree or Altcar. If they were further afield I took the bike on the train. One of the worst places was Scarborough because I had to change at York and the only way to the next train was over a footbridge, which made it a bit of a struggle to fight a 500 Manx up the stairs then go back for the toolbox.

My version of a legal road kit was a piece of tube with the end flattened and some holes drilled in it wired inside the megaphone and a numberplate with NOR499 on one side and later on NOR 348 on the other. Ridden with restraint, no-one ever questioned me. Maybe we were more lawless then.

As a footnote, petrol was 1/6d (15p in today's funny money). Yesterday, I bought some diesel, it cost £6.22p a gallon. Things are much better now - aren't they?

[dommieracer]

Didn't Florian Camathias have an accident in his van on the way to the TT one year and end up riding his outfit all loaded up and had a police escort?

Kevin

[rotrax]

Didn't Florian Camathias have an accident in his van on the way to the TT one year and end up riding his outfit all loaded up and had a police escort?

Kevin

I remember reading about a top Speedway rider who was under investigation by the Tax Man. The man from the Revenue asked why he could not ride his bike to his work...........

[Paul Collins]

At the Manx Grand Prix in about 1986 we were staying at the Midland Hotel on the prom in Douglas, I was spannering for a guy called Ian Tunstall and during our stay we had constant problems with a group of DHSS who were resident in the rooms around us, these nocturnal creatures slept all day and then seemed to cause as much noise & disturbance as possible all night, this was of course in the days of morning practices which meant we had to be up at around 5am.

During the fortnight we all had several nose to nose confrontations in the hallways at stupid o'clock with these morons over noise and the fact that we needed some sleep, and lets just say that relations with our neigbours were not good, things deteriated even further when one night I cut the plug off a stereo power lead that ran under their door and was plugged into a socket in the hallway.

The hotel owners were non resident so didnt know any of this was going on, the owners were friends of ours and had given us the rooms for nothing but hadnt told us that it wasnt a really a hotel anymore and had been filled with DHSS.

Anyway we decided revenge would be served at completion of the event, and so at around 5.30am on the Sunday morning before we were due to depart I got a pre arranged wake up call from Ian and together with another member of our team we headed up to our garage and loaded up the bike, we brought it down to the hotel, carried it up the steps and wheeled it through the doors, placed it onto its paddock stand, closed the doors behind us, switched the fuel on, spun the back wheel and fired up a TZ350 in the hotel lobby at 6am on a Sunday morning, the motor was out of miles after the MGP and due for a full rebuild so Ian blipped it continually to 12000rpm for about a minute then chopped the ignition, there was absolute pandamonium on the floors above and a blue haze of Castrol 'R' hung in stairwell stretching up all 3 floors, the smell was fantastic.

As the smoke cleared we looked up the stairwell at all these shocked, bleary eyed and speechless faces peering down and Ian said very softly 'oh i'm terribly sorry did we disturb you?'

[roadshop]

Didn't Florian Camathias have an accident in his van on the way to the TT one year and end up riding his outfit all loaded up and had a police escort?

Kevin

Yes, I also read about this venture somewhere, don´t remember where. The action was as you descriebed it.

[Herr Wankel]

Didn't Florian Camathias have an accident in his van on the way to the TT one year and end up riding his outfit all loaded up and had a police escort?

Kevin

Read somewhere that he rode the outfit (kneeler) from Dover to Liverpool,but only (only he says!) with a tuned R50 in it and not the Rennsport.

HW

[GD66]

Jeez I dunno, I always understood it was the race bike...also heard another tale about him ensnaring a prospective race passenger, arriving at the local train station in the race sidecar to pick him up, and the ensuing trip home at high speeds on public roads being enough to convince the passenger-to-be to keep travelling...

[Rennmax]

I think these are 2 different antics:

1) Flo's Citroen broke down at Atherstone, Warwickshire on his way to the TT in '63. He then proceeded the last 100 miles towards Liverpool on his race bike
2) In '65, he built a roadgoing sidecar outfit with a R69 engine. He drove it from his home in Montreux to Colin Seeley's premises with only the inevitable breaks and he planned to take it to the IOM in order to get his passenger Ducret accustomed to the circuit, I'm not sure if he eventually did so.

Edited by Rennmax, 03 March 2011 - 11:35.

[GD66]

Nice work, Renn. It's the first one in 1963 that I recall.

Love the "road" bike, though. I now recall that latter pic, didn't he have a mountain of luggage in the chair as well ?

Much as I always admired Fritz Scheidegger, I also always had a huge soft spot for Flo, brave as hell and who knows how much he could really see through those dodgy pebble lenses ?

Plus the sound byte of the Gilera at Governors' Bridge in 1964.... phwoooar...

Edited by GD66, 03 March 2011 - 10:59.

[dommieracer]

Hi Renn, I just spoke to my dad and the comment i am on about was the 63 incident so spot on. He has also given me some other stories to put on so will post them when i have more time tonight.

Kevin

[Geoff E]

As a footnote, petrol was 1/6d (15p in today's funny money).

Petrol hasn't been 1/6 since 1935.

Of course, 15p was 3/- ... the price of petrol in 1950 ... and it rose to over 4 bob a gallon by 1952
http://www.theaa.com...ate_gallons.pdf

I should think 4/- an hour in 1952 was probably a working man's wage rate wasn't it?

[rotrax]

I travelled to Prauge with Alan Cowland, ex International speedway rider to visit with his old mate Antonin Kasper and to ride in a couple of old timer races. Kasper was one of the few Czechs who was allowed to ride in the UK during the cold war. I believe he rode for Coventry and then Exeter. Alan introduced me to Kasper. As we shook hands I said "Nice to meet you." Kasper said "Bloody F***ing B***stard!" At this they both fell about in hysterics,tears rolling down their faces. Apparently Alan taught Kasper to speak a bit of english and this is what he told him was the correct way to greet someone. It all went terribly wrong when Kasper was intoduced to Charles Ochiltree the boss of the Speedway at Coventry -both of them were nearly sacked on the spot. Charles Ochiltree was a real old fashioned chap who most definatly would not have seen the humour in it. A bit like Mike the Bike telling Ago what to say to pull a bird!

[picblanc]

No its Tony Edwards.

[Paul Collins]

I travelled to Prauge with Alan Cowland, ex International speedway rider to visit with his old mate Antonin Kasper and to ride in a couple of old timer races. Kasper was one of the few Czechs who was allowed to ride in the UK during the cold war. I believe he rode for Coventry and then Exeter. Alan introduced me to Kasper. As we shook hands I said "Nice to meet you." Kasper said "Bloody F***ing B***stard!" At this they both fell about in hysterics,tears rolling down their faces. Apparently Alan taught Kasper to speak a bit of english and this is what he told him was the correct way to greet someone. It all went terribly wrong when Kasper was intoduced to Charles Ochiltree the boss of the Speedway at Coventry -both of them were nearly sacked on the spot. Charles Ochiltree was a real old fashioned chap who most definatly would not have seen the humour in it. A bit like Mike the Bike telling Ago what to say to pull a bird!

Ha ha didnt Sheene give Katayama some similar English lessons? I seem to remember him being interviewed on TV and saying he'd had a 'f**king great race' or something like that

[Russell Burrows]

You mean it isn't still current ! .....
..... Now this fella has some interesting stories.

By joeninety at 2011-03-03
I would appreciate any other photos of above rider from Barnsley and any tales of the expected involving a certain dynamic duo from Batley who so kindly helped out many hard up Yamaha riders.
Is that Tony Head on the forum who had Rod what's his name as a mechanic ? If so I remember Rodney once saying to me " tell them nothing" So at Mallory whilst you and your mechanic were under pressure what's his name asked me " is it a push start or clutch" Don't know was my reply....

Not sure if we're playing WWW, but isn't this Mick Chatterton?

[dommieracer]

Hi all, this one is from my dad.

1966 West German GP at Hockenheim.

The majority of the weekends compititors had assembled together for what they all thought was to be a fine meal from the organisers. Only when the food was put on display it turned out to be a sandwich buffet! Not impressed by the lack of thought by the hosts some riders decided to get upto some messing around. Norman Huntingford noticed a nice banner hanging from a balcony and thought that looks like a nice souvenir. So he and another rider scaled the balcony to claim their prize only to be stopped by some loud bangs. All looked in the direction of the noise. Jim Redman looked the other way but Mike Hailwood was trying not to grin. Well after a few minutes had passed and the officials not looking, another bang came. This time all new that it was Mike, Mike had got hold of a starters pistol and thought it fun to bring to the meal.

Cheers

Kevin

[dommieracer]

Another one from my dad.

1965 French GP Rouen

On the eve before the race my dad ( john sweet ), geoff his passenger along with John Tickle, Barry Thompson and several other aussie's decided to have a meal at the pub not far off the end of the main straight. Well my dad being the sensible one drove down in the van to grab some seats for the group or mob to have when they walked down. After the meal and a couple of drinks ( couple being not accurate! ) the group headed back. Barry asked my dad to pull the van over by the toilets and give the lads a lift back. My brings the van over and keeps the engine running as the lads start to climb in but they have come out of the back of the pub with crates of beer. As the last of them get in they shout ' go john floor it quick'.
That night the beers flowed around the paddock, all ten crates worth with 24 bottles in each of them!

Kevin

[larryd]

Not sure if we're playing WWW, but isn't this Mick Chatterton?

Damn, Russ, should have logged in earlier!!

Deferably Mick Chat, and he does have stories!!!

[Robin127]

In the late 70's I'd been racing at Brands with a couple of friends, Robin and Richard Rose and we were heading home up the A20 in Robin's Transit.

We got to the section just past the Swanley by-pass where there was that old car breakers with the little car on the pole and the traffic came to a standstill. We'd been there for a few minutes when there came the sound of a siren, Robin edged the van into the kerb as an ambulance came past going in the same direction as us. I pointed out that it was one of the one's from the circuit, Robin asked if I was sure and Richard said yes, it was a St. Johns one and I said I bet they're just trying to get through the traffic to get home. Robin then swung the Tranny out into the clear space behind the ambulance and we did what was not unknown at the time, get a tow through traffic behind a vehicle with it's sirens and lights going.

This went on for a few miles with a nice clear path for us and then exiting one of the roundabouts near Sidcup hospital the rear doors opened enough for an arm to appear which then proceeded to give us the "Bermondsey Wave." We got alongside them when they stopped to turn right at some lights to be met by about 4 or 5 faces grinning at us with more of the same hand gestures, they'd obviously guessed that we knew what they were up to.

[Robin127]

Robin then swung the Tranny The mind boggles ;)

As I wrote that I had a brief thought that someone might look at it that way, but then I thought, not this bunch, much too refined....big mistake huh?

[rotrax]

The title says it all. Even a tenuous link

At the first Lydden Speedtrack promoted by Bill Chesson all the top European Speedway, Long track and Grass Track riders were booked. Reg Luckhurst,who lived very local was one of the last to arrive. A very laid back individual-untill the tapes lifted or the flag dropped-Reg was most certainly not rushing. He arrived driving a new Ford Corsair 2000E in the fashionable bright orange,a very shiny "Lucky" JAP 500 the same colour on a rack across the back of the car. Reg got the hurry up big time from Bill Chesson. "Get over and sign on Reg" said Bill " " I'll get your bike over to scutineering" " Dont you bloody well touch it" said Reg " the paints still wet!

[SMonty]

A nice wee yarn that's probably suited for here......

I think it was 1981, which in fact would make it 30 years this weekend. The traditional season opening 2 day St Patricks Day weekend meeting at Mondello Park where all the boys from North and South of the border would appear with their newly acquired kit for the new season. Anyway the Customs & Excise guys in the Republic of Ireland were catching on to the fact that many of the racers from the South were importing their race bikes from Northern Ireland and England, and because they didn't have to be road registered, no import duty was being paid.

Early on the Sunday morning during practice, 3 or 4 car loads of Customs & Excise officers turn up at the gates at Mondello. Of course these guys have absolute powers and there's no stopping them from getting in. But fair play to the boys at the gate, things are delayed just long enough for the word to get quickly round the paddock. Within no time at all, there is a hastily arranged "open practice" session for anybody with "dodgy bikes".

So the Customs & Excise men are making their way round the paddock checking the credentials of everybody, meanwhile it's amazing how many of the huge number of bikes out on the track mysteriously "breakdown" out at the far end of the circuit out of view of the paddock - obvious to all of us, but completely missed by our friends in uniform!

[Yendor]

Back in the sixties, '65 I think it was, I was competing at a Brands international on a CR93. Also there was Bill Ivy, also on a CR93, and Derek Woodman who had got hold of a works MZ125.

After practice I was accosted by little Bill. What he said was this, "look we're not that much slower than the MZ over a lap, if we both go like hell off the line the MZ won't like it as they are a bit fragile and like to take it easy for the first few laps. If we do that we stand a chance against it", well that was the gist of it as I remember.

So at the drop of the flag we "went like hell" and sure enough after 4/5 laps the MZ cried enough and we finished first and second, Bill first of course .

What it taught me was that you didn't give up the thought of a win just because you might not have the fastest machine under you, you had to apply a bit of lateral thinking to the problem.

[MoMurray]

A nice wee yarn that's probably suited for here......

I think it was 1981, which in fact would make it 30 years this weekend. The traditional season opening 2 day St Patricks Day weekend meeting at Mondello Park where all the boys from North and South of the border would appear with their newly acquired kit for the new season. Anyway the Customs & Excise guys in the Republic of Ireland were catching on to the fact that many of the racers from the South were importing their race bikes from Northern Ireland and England, and because they didn't have to be road registered, no import duty was being paid.

Early on the Sunday morning during practice, 3 or 4 car loads of Customs & Excise officers turn up at the gates at Mondello. Of course these guys have absolute powers and there's no stopping them from getting in. But fair play to the boys at the gate, things are delayed just long enough for the word to get quickly round the paddock. Within no time at all, there is a hastily arranged "open practice" session for anybody with "dodgy bikes".

So the Customs & Excise men are making their way round the paddock checking the credentials of everybody, meanwhile it's amazing how many of the huge number of bikes out on the track mysteriously "breakdown" out at the far end of the circuit out of view of the paddock - obvious to all of us, but completely missed by our friends in uniform!

I was there that day too. As I seem to recall, then circuit owner (Cosgrove), a lawyer, hastily arranged an injunction (or some such legal instrument) impounding all the bikes on his property so the C&E chaps couldn't take any anyway.

[GD66]

Also there was Bill Ivy, also on a CR93,

That'd be the Chisholms of Maidstone "Chis Honda" then Rodders ?

[SMonty]

I was there that day too. As I seem to recall, then circuit owner (Cosgrove), a lawyer, hastily arranged an injunction (or some such legal instrument) impounding all the bikes on his property so the C&E chaps couldn't take any anyway.

Because of how long ago it was, and because, being from the North it didn't directly affect me, my recollections are more than a little foggy, but maybe Mo you can clarify something alse about that incident.

I seem to remember there was something about Ian Switzer not knowing what to do with his RG500, and in a panic headed out of the circuit and up the road on it. Any further memories on that front?

[Yendor]

That'd be the Chisholms of Maidstone "Chis Honda" then Rodders ?

Absolutely correct

Edited by Yendor, 17 March 2011 - 11:44.

[GD66]

Drat !!