89 replies to this topic

[gerryracer]

Hi, I am new to the forum, but have been reading the posts with interest. I wonder if someone could tell me where British SuperBike Champion Dave Potter is buried? I handled Dave's promotions and personal appearances in the late seventies, and used to keep his spare Mitsui Yamaha at my home. he was killed at Oulton Park. I lost touch with his wife Sue and his son Oliver many years ago.
Thank you.
Gerry Taylor.

[llmaurice]

I'm afraid I can't help here but would just like to say what a true Brit Competitor he was .
Always a pleasure to watch and so unassuming in converstion .

[mfd]

Originally posted by gerryracer
I wonder if someone could tell me where British SuperBike Champion Dave Potter is buried?

Hello Gerry - I painted a couple of helmets for him - an excellent competitor & really nicely turned out. Picblanc ( a regular on the M/cycle thread ) was a big fan - he might know - there's also a website with burial locations -

[Paul Rochdale]

http://www.motorspor...hp?db=ms&n=2153

Royston, South Yorkshire, seems a good start. What about the local telephone directory for his wife's number?

[Paul Rochdale]

http://www.barnsleyl...forum/index.php

This is a Royston-based forum. You could try placing a post on there?

[gerryracer]

Paul, thanks for your help. Dave lived in Royston, but Royston, Hertfordshire. The memorial site is incorrect, I have advised them. I spent many a happy hour with him there. He was a true Yorkshireman at heart of course.

mfd. Many thanks for your reply. That would be the CENTURION helmets then mate.

[mfd]

Originally posted by gerryracer
Dave lived in Royston, Hertfordshire. He was a true Yorkshireman at heart of course.
mfd. Many thanks for your reply. That would be the CENTURION helmets then mate.

I had a feeling that website was wrong-Royston Herts was also Steve Parrish country...
...the helmets I did for Dave were Shoei - for the final season. He parked next to us at the first meeting of the season (I was there with Steve Henshaw) He asked Steve "who paints your helmets?" to which he replied, "he's in the truck mixing the fuel..."

[gerryracer]

Wow! Steve Parish, that takes me back. We did a big Bike Show in Birmingham in about 1980, and Steve (as you know) is a real joker, and he had on this kilt, with...well, you can imagine Steve, anything for a laff. From the front, just funny, but from the back...Mmmmmmm
Thanks for the memories matey.
Gerry.

[subh]

My information says that Dave Potter won the British 750 title in 1972, with a Gus Kuhn Norton, and the MCN Superbike titles of 1979 and 1980 - I think both with BP/Broad Yamahas. Were the Yamahas also 750s? I assume they were. Thanks.

[picblanc]

Originally posted by gerryracer
Hi, I am new to the forum, but have been reading the posts with interest. I wonder if someone could tell me where British SuperBike Champion Dave Potter is buried? I handled Dave's promotions and personal appearances in the late seventies, and used to keep his spare Mitsui Yamaha at my home. he was killed at Oulton Park. I lost touch with his wife Sue and his son Oliver many years ago.
Thank you.
Gerry Taylor.

Hi, Dave's funeral was at a church in Royston Herts, dont know which one, but Royston is not that big.

A few pics of Dave they have been posted before but hope you all enjoy seeing them again.





All photographs copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

[picblanc]

Originally posted by subh
My information says that Dave Potter won the British 750 title in 1972, with a Gus Kuhn Norton, and the MCN Superbike titles of 1979 and 1980 - I think both with BP/Broad Yamahas. Were the Yamahas also 750s? I assume they were. Thanks.

Yes Dan TZ750 Yamaha's

[Paul Rochdale]

Gerry
I have emailed the editor of the local newspaper on your behalf. Fingers crossed.

[subh]

From a bio published in 1977:

The Yorkshireman who now lives in south London has been one of Britain’s most consistent privateers. He was top non-sponsored rider in last year’s Superbike Championship once again, and has been fortunate to have the backing of top sponsor Ted Broad. Dave (27) became British Champion within three years of starting racing in 1969. He raced for Vincent Davey and Willie Ryan before filling the gap with Broad left by Barry Ditchburn who had won a Kawasaki works contract. Among his best placings have been a 5th in the 1976 FIM Formula 750 Championship, a 4th at the 1975 Imola 200 and a clutch of fine endurance race performances.

[gerryracer]

Hi Paul, that would be great if they reply. I just wanted to see how Sue and their son Oliver were doing. It's been so long now, and seeing his name just made me realise I should have kept in touch, but you know how it is. Anyway, I do hope that they have some information. Thanks to everyone for the replies and for the great photographs.

[mfd]

Originally posted by subh
The Yorkshireman

[antony duprat]

An other Dave pic from Brands Hatch 1977 FIM 750 race

Copyright DPPI

[Steve O'Brien]

What a great rider Dave was, I remember the day he died at Oulton I was marshalling at cascade's and attended to Dave after the accident, it was the last lap and was in the lead being chased by Ron Haslam on a 1000 RC Honda and Korky Ballington on a GP500 KR Kawasaki when he lost the front at cascade's.

[picblanc]

Originally posted by Steve O'Brien
What a great rider Dave was, I remember the day he died at Oulton I was marshalling at cascade's and attended to Dave after the accident, it was the last lap and was in the lead being chased by Ron Haslam on a 1000 RC Honda and Korky Ballington on a GP500 KR Kawasaki when he lost the front at cascade's.

Not a good day Steve, how much run off was there in those days? in my head I picture Cascades lined with railway sleepers? and is it correct that Daves helmet came off?
Graham.

[renzo]

i am sure i remember seeing this it was televised live and they showed the marshalls attending to poor dave.

[Steve O'Brien]

There was not a lot of run off in those days but im pretty sure it was lined with armco they were covered by strawbales most of the way round, unfortunately Dave just missed the last strawbale and hit the armco quite hard his helmet did not come off I took his helmet off myself as Dave was clearly not breathing, I gave Dave heart massage while a paramedic was giving him air we did get him going again but I believe his brain stem had snapped and he died about two weeks later

[gerryracer]

Steve, thanks for that descriptive line of events. I do remember that Armco was there.
Thank you all for the information.

[picblanc]

Originally posted by Steve O'Brien
There was not a lot of run off in those days but im pretty sure it was lined with armco they were covered by strawbales most of the way round, unfortunately Dave just missed the last strawbale and hit the armco quite hard his helmet did not come off I took his helmet off myself as Dave was clearly not breathing, I gave Dave heart massage while a paramedic was giving him air we did get him going again but I believe his brain stem had snapped and he died about two weeks later

thanks Steve..... at least he would of known nothing about it, a sad day and story, but thankyou, he was a big favorite of mine and I was lucky enough to speak to him a number of times.

[picblanc]

Lets get Dave back up the page again!! This one from 1977 Transatlantic Trophy.

Photo copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

[Steve O'Brien]

I found this today Dave is in there somewhere along with Joey Dunlop

[timhanna]

Does anyone know about the crescent Dave raced? I presume it was a Monark.

I found this today Dave is in there somewhere along with Joey Dunlop

[philippe7]

Twinny would you be so kind to transfer this thread to the Motorcycle Nostalgia forum please ?

Edited by philippe7, 03 August 2009 - 06:41.

[picblanc]

Does anyone know about the crescent Dave raced? I presume it was a Monark.

It was a Ryan Cresent 498cc, he finished in 2nd place to Phil Haslam in the 500cc Shellsport Championship race @ Brands Trans Trophy meeting of 1974. Only time I saw him on it I think?, no pics.

[chrisb]

All I know/can remember is that it was run by Willy Ryan - orange and black livery I think.


It was a Ryan Cresent 498cc, he finished in 2nd place to Phil Haslam in the 500cc Shellsport Championship race @ Brands Trans Trophy meeting of 1974. Only time I saw him on it I think?, no pics.

[picblanc]

Blimey Chris!! good to see you posting again, it was an Orange & Black bike, at the end of the year he had a TZ350 from Willy Ryan as well, and indeed the 500 & 350 were in Orange & Black colours. He was riding for Gus Kuhn on the big Norton at the time also.

[fil2.8]

I know i've posted this before , but I think it belongs on this thread . RIP Dave

[picblanc]

Blimey Chris!! good to see you posting again, it was an Orange & Black bike, at the end of the year he had a TZ350 from Willy Ryan as well, and indeed the 500 & 350 were in Orange & Black colours. He was riding for Gus Kuhn on the big Norton at the time also.

Like this,


Photo Copyrighted tro Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

[picblanc]

Dave & Martin Sharpe.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

[picblanc]

Dave on Ted Broads TZ750, 1975.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge, racebikepics.

[Ivan Astikoff]

Nice to see this out recently...

[picblanc]

Nice to see this out recently...

Indeed, but colours not quite right, it was much more blue green, thanks for posting it though.

[Ivan Astikoff]

Indeed, but colours not quite right, it was much more blue green, thanks for posting it though.

Yes, I agree, the colour is much too bright. Actually made me wonder if it was the real thing. Spoke to Colin Seeley on the Saturday, he said how much he enjoyed his outing on the BMW outfit at Goodwood, but he was a little nervous about riding the solo round Mallory. He seemed to get into it quite nicely after a couple of laps, though. Sorry for drifting off topic.

[gmwzorro]

Oulton Park 1980

[fil2.8]

Nice pic of Dave Potter

[picblanc]

Here you go Oli!, dont know if you have seen this thread, but if not hope you enjoy it.

[picblanc]

Got to go to work now, but will put a few more pics up later!

[OliPotter]

Hi it's Oli, Dave Potters son. I spotted this forum and saw it contained a few questions about my dad. Maybe I can help and if anyone has any info on him and can send it on here it would be appreciated.

[Russell Burrows]

Hi it's Oli, Dave Potters son. I spotted this forum and saw it contained a few questions about my dad. Maybe I can help and if anyone has any info on him and can send it on here it would be appreciated.

Hello Oli and welcome.

[mba21]

Likewise Oli welcome to the very best Motorcycle racing forum

[Coupe Kawasaki]

Hi Oli, welcome to the forum, there's going to be lots of stuff here for you I think, great rider your dad!





David

[kerrowmoar]

Hi Oli

Welcome to the forum

[bobness]

Indeed, welcome Oli.
Your Dad was one of the very best, of that there is no doubt.

[ex Rhodie racer 2]

Indeed, welcome Oli.
Your Dad was one of the very best, of that there is no doubt.

Welcome Oli. I hope you will post some previously unseen pics of your Dad on here.
I only saw Dave ride on a handful of occasions, but that was enough to see his obvious class. I was lucky enough to meet him in France around ´75 and even though I was a total stranger and a nobody, he was warm and friendly and seemed genuinely happy to chat to me. A really nice man and a great competitor. You can be well proud of him.

Edited by ex Rhodie racer 2, 07 March 2010 - 16:48.

[stuavant]

Hi it's Oli, Dave Potters son. I spotted this forum and saw it contained a few questions about my dad. Maybe I can help and if anyone has any info on him and can send it on here it would be appreciated.

Hi Oli,

We used to hang out a fair bit especially on the continent. I can't add much only to say that he was a good mate and a standout in terms of class and quality as a human being! Cheers, Stu

[chrisb]

Hi it's Oli, Dave Potters son. I spotted this forum and saw it contained a few questions about my dad. Maybe I can help and if anyone has any info on him and can send it on here it would be appreciated.

Hi Oli,

I have PM'd you

[pushstart]

Here's a nice pic of mine, Dave Potter at Brands, don't remember the year though.