11 replies to this topic

[timbo]

The 2013 edition of the Barry Sheene Festival of Speed is currently underway at Sydney Motorsport Park.
Here are a few photo's of Saturdays action.



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[Glenn747]

I hope that #38 didn't get too soaked with fuel!

It's difficult to imagine that Barry left us 10 years ago this month, the hero of so many of us who were tearaway teenagers at the time. It looks like it was a great tribute to the man himself, who's probably roaring around heaven chasing the angels - the pretty ones that is.

Edited by Glenn747, 16 March 2013 - 10:38.

[picblanc]

Well spotted Glenn!!

[picblanc]

That guy in the last photo is amazing, seen him before but good on him.

[Robin127]

I hope that #38 didn't get too soaked with fuel!

I think that's a Go-Pro video camera, not the petrol cap.

[fil2.8]

I think that's a Go-Pro video camera, not the petrol cap.

Think they meant the TZ750 , not the outfit , Robin

[GD66]

Results at http://racing.natsof...m.au/results/#2

Click on "Bikes" when you select a discipline...

Edited by GD66, 16 March 2013 - 13:15.

[Robin127]

Think they meant the TZ750 , not the outfit , Robin

Doh!

[GD66]

Sad to say, after some years in decline the death knell is nigh for the 500 Classic class, with only 6 starters in the Sheene Classic.
It's been great, but things look pretty grim.

[timbo]

Agreed with the decline in the real classic classes.
It was not so long ago (and probably in the first few editions of the Barry Sheene festival) that there was a full grid of classic bikes plus a seperate class for pre-war motorcycles.
The opinions of why are many and varied. but what is the answer?

[RC162]

Agreed with the decline in the real classic classes.
It was not so long ago (and probably in the first few editions of the Barry Sheene festival) that there was a full grid of classic bikes plus a seperate class for pre-war motorcycles.
The opinions of why are many and varied. but what is the answer?

I think that classic racing is moving to a different era and that the people who race 500 singles are getting fewer and fewer as those who compete come from a different time. Plus the cost of a competitive Manx is through the roof. If they ran a class that took in the new Enfields with a cost ceiling I think riders would be keen. The CRMC started a 600 production class and that has really took off due to the low cost of bikes mainly being the Yamaha FZR600. This says to me that the era for classics has moved on to a different time and people are looking for cheap racing. The only thing that would draw back big grids of expensive machines is big prize money and I can't see that happening too soon. Only my view.

[timbo]

You are right when it all comes down to costs, but while the classic classes have suffered at the moment, I wonder how long it will be before other more modern classes suffer the same problem, as basically someone is prepared to spend whatever it costs to win a race and a trophy, is going to drive out other competitors who just want an excuse to dust off the bike and leathers and have a go out on the track. Don't think this is just related to bikes either, as it is a common problems in all forms of historic motorsport, bikes and cars.
Historic car groups have already answered the problem with their own track days and racing clubs, with the emphasis on just getting the car out on the track, and don't worry too much about the lap time. The competitors have then found that their vehicle in its current state is all you need, and a great day out at the track, and the bench racing afterwards makes for a very enjoyable day out.