12 replies to this topic

[Stinky]

Hi All;
Can anyone remember the name of the C of C at Bathurst in the late 60,s early 70,s?
He used to ride an immaculate black Vincent bike and sidecar.
As you would remember the bikes raced on Friday and Saturday with cars Sunday and Monday.
To make a weekend of it us car officials used to go up on Thursdady night.
Watch the bikes Friday and Saturday work the cars Sunday and Monday.
This chap used to always try and get the car officials to do a lap with him in the outfit.
I fell for it one year.
He was not a young man by any means but that never stopped him.
After the lap I got out of the sidecar that well known shade between grey and green.
Old leaf springing on the sidecar (transverse leaf I think.)
And I feel the Vincent had a more efficient power plant than brakes.
Near enough to the ton up Mountain Straight and he seemed to brake awful late going into Castrol Curve.
From the Cutting across the Mountain the old sidecar was rocking and rolling like you would not believe.
Through Forrest,s elbow we were picking up the sidecar wheel!!
Coming down Conrod the taps were wide open and this bloke has a silly grin on his face and laughing his head off.
Did not even look at the brakes for Murrays until the second hump.
Round Murrays (somehow) and he pulls up at the Control Tower still laughing .
I thanked him very much .
Later in the day I conned a new fire marshal to do a lap.
Wheh HE got out of the sidecar he was a funnier colour than I was.
After he drew a very long deep breath he questioned my ancestry in no uncertaian manner.
C of C still had the silly grin on his face.
Memories.
Cheers.
Roger.

[lyntonh]

I don't know what his name was, but he's on my movie uploaded a couple of days ago at about 1:38!!

http://www.youtube.c...ayer_detailpage

[GD66]

Arthur Blizzard ?

[Stinky]

Hi Again Guys;
Just been speaking to one of the officials of that vintage.
His name was Harry Bartropp.
Mate also was conned by Harry to do a lap.
He reckoned "The Old Goat was mad!!"
Looking back it was a hell of a lot of fun.
Not Sure, but I think Arthur Blizzard was a Steward then.
Cheers.
Roger.

[picblanc]

Arthur Blizzard ?

He had to give the job up because he became snowed under................?

[Russell Burrows]

At one stage Harry worked for Bennett and Wood. I think too that he would officiate at the Showground Speedway where his run ins with John Langfield became part of the night's entertainment. As for his role at Bathurst: he should have been shot for presiding over the enormous number of riders allowed to start most races.

[fil2.8]

He had to give the job up because he became snowed under................?

Thats very funny , for you ............................. , but , I get the drift .........................

[Russell Burrows]

Thats very funny , for you ............................. , but , I get the drift .........................

He's not logged on. I think he's gone out, he maybe some time.

[fil2.8]

He's not logged on. I think he's gone out, he maybe some time.

, yes , Russ , our Graham likes camping ............. but I think he's poles apart ..................

[Robin127]

, yes , Russ , our Graham likes camping ............. but I think he's poles apart ..................

Very well articulated.

[picblanc]

[Stinky]

Hullo Russell;
Yes, there were huge fields at Bathurst.
I remember the last solo race on Saturday afternoon was called something like "All powers all grades Scratch Race."
(Maybe a nice name for a Butchers Picnic?)
That field used to be huge,hate to think how many bikes.
I thnk anything left standing after the two days racing had a run.
Considering it was the old push start I cannot remember too much carnage on the start line or in Hell Corner.
Cheers.
Roger.

[Russell Burrows]

Hullo Russell;
Yes, there were huge fields at Bathurst.
I remember the last solo race on Saturday afternoon was called something like "All powers all grades Scratch Race."
(Maybe a nice name for a Butchers Picnic?)
That field used to be huge,hate to think how many bikes.
I thnk anything left standing after the two days racing had a run.
Considering it was the old push start I cannot remember too much carnage on the start line or in Hell Corner.
Cheers.
Roger.

Hi Roger
Yes, they seemed to equate a sucessful meeting with the number of entries; they would often run ads in the press proclaiming as much. Not unconnected I think with all those lovely entry fees.

Edited by Russell Burrows, 13 April 2012 - 14:42.