8 replies to this topic

[brands77]

Looking back through some of my old programmes the other day, I was looking at a Crystal Palace meet from 1997, I think it was the first meet back since 1974.

 

The outright lap record holder at the time was Mike Hailwood from 1972 in an F2 Surtees. He was also the 200c bike record holder from 1958 on a Ducati.

 

I wonder has anyone else held 2 and 4 wheel lap records at the same time?

 

Also since Crystal Palace is only rarely used these days (I think just for an annual sprint meeting), and it certainly isn't used for top flight racing, do these records still stand? Wikipedia has Hailwood still as the outright record holder in the Surtees, but I can't find the bike records.

Edited by brands77, 20 October 2022 - 07:51.

[LittleChris]

As far as I'm aware, the last meeting using the full circuit was the day Hailwood set the lap record, every time since has only used part of the circuit, mainly from the original longer version which had an infield section.

Edit, the last meeting on the full circuit was for karts on Oct 21 1972 according to Racing at Crystal Palace by Phillip Parfit

Edited by LittleChris, 20 October 2022 - 08:17.

[tonyed]

The last motorcycle meeting at the Palace, 'The Metropolitan Meeting' took place on 28th August 1972.

I featured as #44 in races 2 and 6 on my 654cc BSA.

I still have the program (I still have all the race programs over my years of racing) but the final one (along with many hundreds of others) can be viewed on https://daveriley.weebly.com/

 

The program shows the then current records on the final 1.39 mile circuit

[brands77]

The records I have from the 1997 programme are (all for the 1.39 mile circuit): -

 

Outright

M Hailwood Surtees 103.39mph 24th May 1972

 

Bikes

1000cc D Nixon Boyer Triumph 84.53mph 28th Aug 1972

500c  P Mahoney Kuhn Seeley 81.50 mph 31st Aug 1970

350cc B Ditchburn Broad Yamaha 80.50mph 3rd April 1972

250cc P Smart Yamaha 80.71 mph 31st Aug 1970

200c M Hailwood Ducati 68.74 mph 4th Aug 1958

125cc J Ringwood MZ 73.37 mph 17th April 1969

50cc H German Sheene Special 55.11mph 3rd Aug 1959

Sidecars G Boret RGM 76.98mph 4th Sept 1971

 

Some classy riders on the list

Edited by brands77, 20 October 2022 - 11:22.

[tonyed]

From the August 1972 meeting:

 

Production 1000cc solo - P Williams 80.97 mph 4th Sept 1971

Vintage - M Broom 72.73 mph 4th Sept 1971

 

All the others as the 1997 program but does not mention the car or 200cc record.

[LittleChris]

For the 2 mile pre war circuit, the 4 wheel record  was set by Raymond Mays in an ERA at 60.97 Mph on 4th July 1939

[brands77]

I did notice that the 200cc record was an odd capacity, the others are as you would expect and mirror the WC, except 1000cc. I wonder was that included so that Hailwood would be shown as both a 2 and 4 wheel record holder or was 200cc a common class in the 1950s?

Edited by brands77, 20 October 2022 - 16:06.

[GregThomas]

Here in NZ, I'd think it's possible that the late Rodger Freeth may well have held the bike and saloon car records for Pukekohe at the same time. Can't check it but he'd climbed off a top F1 bike and into a top OSCA class saloon. Pretty sure he'd be the only possibility here anyway.

 

A story for you though on the same lines. At an early meeting held by the NZ Classic Register at Levels, I was approached by a family friend, Geoff Mardon. World Speedway finalist, George Begg's factory manager - and pilot of the works Begg F5000. And at the time, outright lap record holder at Levels circuit in the F5000. He was riding a 350 Manx Norton and wanted guidance on the right line for the double apex sweeper at the end of the back straight. He was losing time to Hugh Anderson there - on an identical Manx.

After a walk-through at lunchtime and a discussion on the differences between the car and the bike lines, he went out and beat Hugh in the next race.

[StanN]

The 200cc class was a regular race at many circuits in the UK, including Brands, along with the 250cc class. I believe it was run at Scottish and Irish events long after it was dropped at UK circuits.

Stan