Jump to content


Photo

Motorcycle Racing Entries/Rumours that never happened


  • Please log in to reply
44 replies to this topic

#1 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 22 December 2021 - 18:02

Can include non-starters as technically they entered but never actually raced and tests that never went anywhere.

Carl Fogarty attempted to revive his World Superbike team as an MV Agusta entry for 2008.

Also, 1999 500cc Champion Alex Criville planned to join the factory Aprilia team and also spoke to Pramac d'Antin Yamaha before announcing his retirement in 2002.

Advertisement

#2 Rodaknee

Rodaknee
  • Member

  • 2,178 posts
  • Joined: June 19

Posted 23 December 2021 - 04:13

More than you can throw a stick at.  Many were killed off by the FIA limiting the number of cylinders etc.  Won't happen again as they're only racing glorified road bikes.

 

The Weslake 500.  Enough hot air to fill several balloons.  The bike papers were full of it for years.

 

Here's a shocker

 

 

Outspoken double world champion Phil Read has offered his services, free of charge (unprecedented for a man in his position!) to help develop the machine

 

 

https://magazine.cyc.../1/we-slake-500



#3 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 23 December 2021 - 10:52

After a couple of toe-in-the-water appearances with Garry McCoy in the 2006 Moto GP Season, Ilmor entered Jeremy McWilliams and Andrew Pitt for a full-time entry in 2007, but the team only lasted one race.

#4 Robin127

Robin127
  • Member

  • 506 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 24 December 2021 - 01:43

KRM Superstreak.

 

http://progress-is-f...uperstreak.html


Edited by Robin127, 24 December 2021 - 01:45.


#5 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 24 December 2021 - 08:17

How about the Manx Hospital Lottery Velocette

https://magazine.cyc.../technicalities

http://velobanjogent...the-little.html

:cry:   :confused:   :wave:

 

The Weslake - https://magazine.cyc.../1/we-slake-500

 

I have a copy of the MM magazine technical appraisal of the KRM by John Robinson - all a bit 'pie in the sky'  



#6 Macca

Macca
  • Member

  • 3,724 posts
  • Joined: January 03

Posted 24 December 2021 - 15:15

MotoCyysc in 2007-8.

American team with innovative engine; Jeremy McWilliams tested for them but rule changes kept them out.

Paul M

#7 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 31 December 2021 - 14:06

At the age of 18 I announced that I was not going to teachers training college to become a geography teacher as I had started motorcycle racing in my final year of A levels. I was abandoning that to become world 500cc champion :love:  :love:  :love:

That was 1969 and well, if I am honest, if you look down the list of 500cc world champions since then my name does NOT appear.

I did, however, win a couple lesser 500cc championships on a Crescent (incidentally a far as I know, other than in the hydroplaning world, the only Crescent 2 wheeled champion of ALL time) but alas no world title.

So, I suppose, this was an announcement that never came to pass.

I did have more success with my Crescent than that achieved by:

The KRM

The Weslake 500

The Illmor

The Motocyysc

The Manx Hospital Lottery Velocette

:clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 

CRESCENT built by Geoff Barr (nee Bastard) who once proclaimed, I think it might have been after several pints of Okells in the Dogs Home Douglas, 'Once a Bastard always a Bastard' though in fairness this was not a true announcement either as to save his wifes' blushes (and of course the offspring) they became Mr and Mrs Barr and mini Bar®s (if it's your round I'll have a double - is Pete Tibbitts in the room? :rotfl: )     :confused:  :confused:  :blush:  :blush:  :cool:  :cool:  :wave: 


Edited by tonyed, 31 December 2021 - 15:26.


#8 Robin127

Robin127
  • Member

  • 506 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 31 December 2021 - 20:50

...

The KRM

The Weslake 500

The Illmor

The Motocyysc

The Manx Hospital Lottery Velocette...

(if it's your round I'll have a double - is Pete Tibbitts in the room? :rotfl: 

More chance of those bikes appearing than the latter happening :lol:



#9 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 07 January 2022 - 13:34

More chance of those bikes appearing than the latter happening :lol:

 

Priceless, although all of us we know and love Peter appreciate that somewhere in his genealogy there was a MacTibbits who was known for his careful managing of the groat(s) in his procession. :well:

 

I am also sure that we all began racing with the ultimate goal of becoming world champion at our selected sport, however if we did achieve that ultimate goal a world championship would become valueless and anyway there is not enough room on the podium for us all.

To misquote Andy Wharhol "In the future, everyone will be world-champion for 15 minutes." seems fair to me  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 



#10 PJ52

PJ52
  • Member

  • 34 posts
  • Joined: February 12

Posted 07 January 2022 - 16:11

No Scotsmen in my lineage Tony.  Pure Fens I'll have you know.  Good to be reacquainted with this forum, must try to remember to login more frequently. 



#11 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 08 January 2022 - 17:57

Prediction time:

Things that won't happen:

Jack Miller - MotoGP champion

Things that will happen:

Jack Miller crashes more (even more than last year)  :lol:  :lol:  :confused:  :confused:  :eek:  :eek:  :wave:

 

Then I could be wrong, I said the idiots in the UK won't vote to leave the EU.  :(  :(  :(  :(  :(  Also the idiots in the UK won't vote for a fat, useless, pig **** thick liar, misogynist wanker and yet we still have Alexander Boris de Piffle Johnson running the joint into the ground so he can bung his mates a good wedge.  :confused:  :confused:  :confused: 

 

Next year my TZ250 A will be 50 years old - should I bake a cake or elope with a younger model to the Caymen Islands.  :drunk:  :drunk:  :drunk:  :drunk: ????????

Answers on the back of a million pound bung made out to DEFINATLEY NOT me old mate Bojo  :kiss:   



#12 Michael Ferner

Michael Ferner
  • Member

  • 7,151 posts
  • Joined: November 09

Posted 08 January 2022 - 21:58

 

Next year my TZ250 A will be 50 years old - should I bake a cake or elope with a younger model to the Caymen Islands.  :drunk:  :drunk:  :drunk:  :drunk: ????????

 

Definitely bake a cake (she deserves it), and leave the young model to me! :love: :kiss:  ;)



#13 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 20 July 2022 - 17:44

The late Nicky Hayden originally signed a MotoGP deal with Yamaha for the 2003 season before switching for Honda during the off season

Mick Doohan was supposedly offered 50 million dollars to ride for the Roberts Yamaha team for 1997 onwards.

#14 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 20 July 2022 - 20:00

Mick Doohan was supposedly offered 50 million dollars to ride for the Roberts Yamaha team for 1997 onwards.

Doesn't Mick earn his living pole dancing these days or was that an aberration after too much neck oil?   :up:


Edited by tonyed, 21 July 2022 - 04:22.


#15 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 22 July 2022 - 10:29

Jeremy McWilliams conducted secret tests at Almeria with BMW in creating an 800cc MotoGP machine for the 2007 season

#16 Robin127

Robin127
  • Member

  • 506 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 23 July 2022 - 01:14

Jeremy McWilliams conducted secret tests at Almeria with BMW in creating an 800cc MotoGP machine for the 2007 season

 

Wasn't that the Ilmor?



#17 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 23 July 2022 - 04:17

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmor_X3

 

The Ilmor was actually raced in 2006 but 'rested' after an announcement in March 2007

I ahd not heard of a BMW 800cc. As said perhaps that secret 



#18 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 23 July 2022 - 08:48

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilmor_X3
 
The Ilmor was actually raced in 2006 but 'rested' after an announcement in March 2007
I ahd not heard of a BMW 800cc. As said perhaps that secret


The Ilmor has been mentioned before.

#19 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 23 July 2022 - 16:40

https://www.visordow...ng-motogp-entry

Obviously not a potential winner In BMWs eyes.

Perhaps it seems that it's even beyond them to produce a competitive superbike for anything above national level.  :(

Best stick to what they know best, producing cars for the many morons stooging about the UK roads thinking they're 'jack the lad'  :eek:  :confused:



Advertisement

#20 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 24 July 2022 - 09:18

Carl Fogarty tried and failed to find sponsorship for a team running customer Ducatis in the 2007 World Superbike Championship.

#21 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 25 July 2022 - 06:55

Carl Fogarty tried and failed to find sponsorship for a team running customer Ducatis in the 2007 World Superbike Championship.

Better to have tried and failed rather than never tried at all.  :cry:  



#22 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 25 July 2022 - 10:20

Better to have tried and failed rather than never tried at all.  :cry:


So true.

#23 brands77

brands77
  • Member

  • 130 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 26 July 2022 - 09:52

Wasn't there an Australian V8 mooted at some point for MotoGP? Drysdale, I think, and they made a V8 road bike or at least a prototype, but the racer never appeared afaik.



#24 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 26 July 2022 - 10:38

Wasn't there an Australian V8 mooted at some point for MotoGP? Drysdale, I think, and they made a V8 road bike or at least a prototype, but the racer never appeared afaik.


https://www.motorcyc...1drysdale988cc/ - Yes, in 2001, intended for the 2002 Season.

#25 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 27 July 2022 - 08:40

Got 3 of them laying in my workshop, the 4th is on the lawnmower  :p

Embryonic days of MotoGP when it was still possible for a 'private entry' on the grid. Unlike today with grids spots laying vacant due to the exorbitant cost of filling one.

What with the cost of:

1/1/2 riders (are there teams with 2 competitive riders all the time?)

Team manager

Team press officer

Team IT (probably several)

2 lead engineers (crew chiefs)

? many mechanics 

Tarot card reader

Team shrink

Hospitality (chef, and other ancillary staff)

Transporter drivers

Mobile restaurant

Pop-up garage

Transport cases

Transport staff

etc, etc

 

Silly money for a 'sport' that's heading the same as as F1  :wave:



#26 Michael Ferner

Michael Ferner
  • Member

  • 7,151 posts
  • Joined: November 09

Posted 27 July 2022 - 09:10

You mean, the same as F1 ;)



#27 brands77

brands77
  • Member

  • 130 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 27 July 2022 - 09:47

Don't they also have someone to clean their helmets now too? And a separate one to do the leathers?

 

Most importantly you need a social media person to do the twitter feed or whatever is important this week.



#28 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 27 July 2022 - 11:47

https://www.bonhams..../?category=list - This Yamaha TR2 from 1970.

Edited by WonderWoman61, 27 July 2022 - 11:48.


#29 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 27 July 2022 - 14:29

A group of us are joining the Yamaha Heritage Racing Club this weekend at Donnington Park.

Our aim is to promote vintage Yamaha racers and to establish with Yamaha a source of spare parts, many of which I do already stock @ https://rhsyamahabitz.com/

I shall be there with my 1974 TZ250A

Come along and join in the fun.



#30 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 27 July 2022 - 15:48

https://www.pinteres...54456027915849/ - This 1977 Harley-Davidson

Edited by WonderWoman61, 27 July 2022 - 16:57.


#31 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 27 July 2022 - 16:56

https://i.ebayimg.co...l7zO/s-l400.jpg - This 1972 AJS Stormer

#32 billlawrence

billlawrence
  • Member

  • 165 posts
  • Joined: August 12

Posted 28 July 2022 - 07:06

I remember something called a pulse or something like that dont know if it was ever raced 



#33 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 28 July 2022 - 08:57

https://forums.autos...-swissauto-etc/

 

The Pulse was the rebranded MuZ Swiss Auto 500 see previous post above link to THIS site.

The Swiss Auto DID happen so DID the pulse, so sorry Bill wrong thread  :p

 

However whilst we are at it the engine was interesting in many ways one of which if I remember correctly was that each pair of cylinders shared a crankcase cavity unlike normal where there are four separate engines.

It was developed in the first instance for sidecar racing.

 

On Sunday at Donnington I will be announcing to the assembled press corps my full time comeback to road racing at the age of 71 1/2.

However let me assure you that my full time racing comeback WILL NOT happen.  :clap:

 

Just thought I'd announce it in this thread as it seems most appropriate place to do so.  :smoking:

 

Just how many 'good ideas' were/are formulated round a table in the pub? The nearer it is to closing time the braver the idea.  :cry:  


Edited by tonyed, 28 July 2022 - 14:55.


#34 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 28 July 2022 - 13:15

KTM considering entering World Superbikes around 2011/2012.

#35 Robin127

Robin127
  • Member

  • 506 posts
  • Joined: May 10

Posted 28 July 2022 - 22:40

KTM considering entering World Superbikes around 2011/2012.

They actually ran a team in the AMA Superbike Championship at that time, a low key effort mainly run by the importer but with factory help.  They were also supposed to be part of Kenny Roberts MotoGP team in the mid 2000's (supplying engines)  but pulled out at the last minute.



#36 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 28 July 2022 - 23:07

They actually ran a team in the AMA Superbike Championship at that time, a low key effort mainly run by the importer but with factory help.  They were also supposed to be part of Kenny Roberts MotoGP team in the mid 2000's (supplying engines)  but pulled out at the last minute.


MotoGP would certainly have made sense, given KTM's involvement in the lower classes.

#37 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 29 September 2022 - 15:06

In January 2008, John Kocinski was reported to have been looking for a professional motorcycle racing ride for 2008 in the AMA, SBK and 250cc sections.

#38 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 18 October 2022 - 09:20

Hunwick+Hallam+X1R+Race+Motorcycle.jpg
The 1997 Hunwick Hallam XR-1 was intended for the World Superbike Championship but only got as far as the Australian one.

#39 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 18 October 2022 - 15:16

https://www.motorcyc...r_superbike.htm

 

Best confined to the annals of history  :wave:



Advertisement

#40 10kDA

10kDA
  • Member

  • 978 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 18 October 2022 - 23:04

Hunwick+Hallam+X1R+Race+Motorcycle.jpg
The 1997 Hunwick Hallam XR-1 was intended for the World Superbike Championship but only got as far as the Australian one.

As ugly as a bobber, in a totally different way.



#41 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 19 October 2022 - 02:00

All the 'style' you'd expect out of Australia, just missing the dangling corks  :p



#42 tonyed

tonyed
  • Member

  • 981 posts
  • Joined: July 09

Posted 20 October 2022 - 07:43



#43 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 24 October 2022 - 14:19

As ugly as a bobber, in a totally different way.


Not the best looking motorcycle ever built to put it mildly.

#44 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 06 March 2023 - 10:20

The Sauber F1 team could have been involved with Foggy-Petronas and in MotoGP rather than World Superbikes as the following link will attest.
https://www.motorcyc...y-petronas-fp1/

#45 WonderWoman61

WonderWoman61
  • Member

  • 1,615 posts
  • Joined: December 21

Posted 06 March 2023 - 23:15

Carl Fogarty tried and failed to find sponsorship for a team running customer Ducatis in the 2007 World Superbike Championship.


Having said that, Foggy had been looking to run customer Ducatis even before the formation of Foggy-Petronas.