Bemsee early 1980s proddie racers
#1
Posted 29 November 2007 - 19:50
Graham Marchant
Roger Marchant (no relation)
Steve (Smooth) Burrows
Mark Plato
remember it as a very well contested era,lots of different machinery
Suzuki Katanas
Suzuki GSX1100
Kawasaki GPZ900
Kawasaki GPZ1100
Honda CB900
Honda CB1100R
Advertisement
#2
Posted 29 November 2007 - 22:03
Originally posted by ESSEXBOY
anyone out there remember these names from the time?
Graham Marchant
Roger Marchant (no relation)
Steve (Smooth) Burrows
Mark Plato
remember it as a very well contested era,lots of different machinery
Suzuki Katanas
Suzuki GSX1100
Kawasaki GPZ900
Kawasaki GPZ1100
Honda CB900
Honda CB1100R
I remember Roger Marchant (unless age is catching up with me); turned up at Brands one day for a free day of clubby racing, and Roger was running in the open class on the 'straight bar' Kwaka Z1000, a basically standard Z with wide, flat bars just so he could hang on to the thing.
Watched him wrestle with this 'all power, no handling' monster for lap after lap, and stood there with my mouth hanging open, watching him hanging on for dear life while the bike bucked, kicked and weaved through Paddock was awe inspiring; for the next race, I got into the pits and stood in the back paddock to watch him go through the left/right Surtees to McLarens, the bike getting more out of shape with every lap.
I'm pretty sure he won both races outright, but he certainly did beat the Katanas, no mean feat considering the Suzuki handled much better.
Now someone will tell me it wasn't Roger Marchant at all, but I certainly remember that bike, sponsored by Boyers of Bromley, local Kwaka dealers.
#3
Posted 30 November 2007 - 19:02
Kawasaki fought back with the GPZ1100B with crankshafts that twisted . Our men suffered the GPZ and we rebuilt engines overnight at Donington when big Ks rep. turned up with 10 "special" cranks but NO gasket sets !
Prior to these beasts ,we ran the good old GS1000 for a few years and latterly , Katana 1000 for a bit though because it had proper carbs
Amazingly ,whilst the diesels were all struggling with the above problems , the good old 125/250/ and in those days 350s were as proper race bikes ---superb !
Nearly 30 years on and they're all killing of the privateer 2 strokes in favour of boring old modified Production machines that all look and sound the same (as in WSBK) . It goes without saying of course that they are all getting good sales figures from them .
Ducati are fighting back though having been allowed to run oversize engines in WSBK next year(it is of course and Italian run series with a level playing field ) ?
This helps explain why the US haven't allowed the 125/250s in their "Motogp" rounds but have 4 riders in the big class . Guess where the big 4s largest markets for "sports" bikes and Ducati is ?
#4
Posted 16 December 2007 - 22:44
#5
Posted 17 December 2007 - 19:56
#6
Posted 18 December 2007 - 01:52
alan
#7
Posted 19 December 2007 - 18:33
i used to sponsor my friend Steve (Smooth) Burrows from Laindon
he used to do really well on his GSX1100 in the proddy class
we did up a Honda CB1100R as a sit up and beg for the open class
he always had a bad push start ,normally last away,then he would play catch up
he used to get up to about 6th position,would have been on the podium everytime if he could get it to start
#8
Posted 19 December 2007 - 19:28
alan
#9
Posted 18 February 2008 - 15:21
#10
Posted 22 February 2008 - 20:27
#11
Posted 22 February 2008 - 20:59
#12
Posted 24 February 2008 - 12:12
Vince, along with some racing boys from Burnham Beeches way will remember our old caravanette, where they shared a few sandwiches. Eamonn, my son, could never match Damon Hill on his motorbike, but did once sell him a tyre.
#13
Posted 01 March 2008 - 22:09
And those guys who used to eat and drink with us in and around the caravanette - Carshalton, I've been reminded, not Burnham Beeches.
#14
Posted 01 March 2008 - 22:56
#15
Posted 01 March 2008 - 23:51
he help out organising as well on the club racing scene for the NEW ERA club
they used to hold meetings at brands
do you remember Mark Plato and his brother ?Julian???
were good riders came out of Romford/Collier Row
Mark raced Katanas and GPZ900 moved up to Nationals on a tricked out RD500
#16
Posted 02 March 2008 - 09:05
He worked for H&S (Hands) who were our sposors in the late '70s . Julian looked after chain sales as H&S were the DID importers at the time .
A very personable young man was Julian.
#17
Posted 02 March 2008 - 13:33
#18
Posted 02 March 2008 - 19:20
did he race a Phil Manzano tuned Kawasaki?
#19
Posted 02 March 2008 - 19:31
he was the highest finisher in "our lot" at the Formula One race at the Silverstone GP ,he pushed it that hard that after the race he couldn't get off the bike 'cos he had worn his little toe out so we carried him to the medical centre . he obviously didn't notice it until the adrenalin stopped flowing !
As with most "support" races for the GPs , we had to park up along the old club straight with no access to the main paddock .
Advertisement
#20
Posted 02 March 2008 - 21:55
Ron Storey crashed heavily during practice on his F1 Suzuki?
Martin Bulle got blown into the weeds on his RSC kitted J E Vines framed Honda CB900 by older but faster Suzuki GS1000's and Kwacker Z1000's
#21
Posted 11 May 2008 - 06:20
I used to race a Stan Stephens Yamaha LC 350 in the early 80's with Kenny Irons.
Used to have some amazing battles in Bemsee races with Eddie Boldizar, Rich Dickinson, John Schluter, Pete Casey, Tony Downy, and many more, anyone remember those guys and where are they now?
And a whole bunch of Northern nutters on Terry Becket machines in the Marlborough series, guys like Kurt Langan, Gordon Allott, et al...
I used to do the odd open race on the LC 350, here giving some proddie grief to Martin Dellow on his RG500
Around 1983 I moved onto a RG500 and won the Kent Racing Combine open championships and a few top 3 places in the Marlborough races, and started doing Nationals. Roger Kean used to prepare my engines and John Birkett was the man to beat that year.
These days I still ride road bikes and manage the odd track day.
Jerry Melville
Edited by Jezza, 26 April 2011 - 09:52.
#22
Posted 11 May 2008 - 10:41
Originally posted by Jezza
Hi Guys,
I used to race a Stan Stephens Yamaha LC 350 in the early 80's with Kenny Irons.
Used to have some amazing battles in Bemsee races with Eddie Boldizar, Rich Dickinson, John Schluter, Pete Case, Tony Downy, and many more, anyone remember those guys and where are they now?
And a whole bunch of Northern nutters on Terry Becket machines in the Marlborough series, guys like Kurt Langan, Gordon Allott, et al...
I used to do the odd open race on the LC 350, here giving some proddie grief to Martin Dellow on his RG500
Around 1983 I moved onto a RG500 and won the Kent Racing Combine open championships and a few top 3 places in the Marlborough races, and started doing Nationals. Roger Kean used to prepare my engines and John Birkett was the man to beat that year.
These days I still ride road bikes and manage the odd track day.
Jerry Melville
Hi Jerry, nice post, and great pics, Martin Dellow often can be found on the 1969-90 motorcycle racing thread.
Sadly John Birkett did not live long enough to full fill his potential as I am sure you know
#23
Posted 11 May 2008 - 17:01
#24
Posted 20 October 2009 - 22:24
Hi Guys,
I used to race a Stan Stephens Yamaha LC 350 in the early 80's with Kenny Irons.
Used to have some amazing battles in Bemsee races with Eddie Boldizar, Rich Dickinson, John Schluter, Pete Case, Tony Downy, and many more, anyone remember those guys and where are they now?
And a whole bunch of Northern nutters on Terry Becket machines in the Marlborough series, guys like Kurt Langan, Gordon Allott, et al...
I used to do the odd open race on the LC 350, here giving some proddie grief to Martin Dellow on his RG500
Around 1983 I moved onto a RG500 and won the Kent Racing Combine open championships and a few top 3 places in the Marlborough races, and started doing Nationals. Roger Kean used to prepare my engines and John Birkett was the man to beat that year.
These days I still ride road bikes and manage the odd track day.
Jerry Melville
#25
Posted 21 October 2009 - 00:58
Done a little production racing myself against Plato, Jeff Donovan, Dave Burford etc that was in 1986 on a YPVS........
also raced against the green brothers Rymer etc in 1985 on a 250LC and got mullered by them best I could manage was a 4th
Regards Lee
Tried to upload a picture but this forum is a pain in the arse
#26
Posted 21 October 2009 - 07:25
Great memories and pics, me and my brother Terry used to go down to Brands being our local track to watch Roger Marchant or Ape **** Joe as my brother called him because of the way he climbed all over it.....Z1000 my arse though it was bored right out.........
Done a little production racing myself against Plato, Jeff Donovan, Dave Burford etc that was in 1986 on a YPVS........
also raced against the green brothers Rymer etc in 1985 on a 250LC and got mullered by them best I could manage was a 4th
Regards Lee
Tried to upload a picture but this forum is a pain in the arse
Welcome back Lee!
There used to be some great racing in those proddy races. Just add to some of the names that I can think of; The Morris brothers on the LCs, then Graham Holland Andy Mclutcheon, Chris Dabbs, Dave Heal, Brendon Doyle , Francis Williamson, The Emmetts, The Yuills, Les Brace, Adrian Squirell, Adrian Butcher. The list is endless, there was great talent there, and not many made it to thenext level for some reason or other.
#27
Posted 22 October 2009 - 08:08
Nice hair too mate!!!
#28
Posted 22 October 2009 - 08:14
#29
Posted 26 October 2009 - 00:18
#30
Posted 26 October 2009 - 01:47
David
#31
Posted 24 January 2010 - 15:06
. Hi guys, I've just found this thread on google. I know I'm a couple of years out of date, so please let me know if any of you are still out there ! I have a quite a few memories of the proddie class of that era. Cheers markanyone out there remember these names from the time?
Graham Marchant
Roger Marchant (no relation)
Steve (Smooth) Burrows
Mark Plato
remember it as a very well contested era,lots of different machinery
Suzuki Katanas
Suzuki GSX1100
Kawasaki GPZ900
Kawasaki GPZ1100
Honda CB900
Honda CB1100R
#32
Posted 24 January 2010 - 15:29
My Brother raced against (well tried to race) the Morris brothers,Ricky McMillian,Zan Marsellies,Terry Rymer,Richard Dickinson,Stu Melen,Andy Green, etc,etc Then became the bemsee comentator for snetterton for a couple of years..... Hi guys, I've just found this thread on google. I know I'm a couple of years out of date, so please let me know if any of you are still out there ! I have a quite a few memories of the proddie class of that era. Cheers mark
#33
Posted 24 January 2010 - 15:34
Mark Plato's brother was David....Had a big accident at snetterton in which he broke his leg...Ah, yes, I remember watching Mark Plato racing, and his brother. I don't think Mark's brother was named Julian, but I could be wrong. I saw them only as they 'flew' round the track. I may have some old programmes from Brands or Snetterton in the loft. Haven't looked for years, but I used to collect them, noting my son's progress as he started with the orange jacket and eventually won some 1300 Proddy races. Mark Linscott, if still around, would remember him.
#34
Posted 24 January 2010 - 19:30
#35
Posted 25 January 2010 - 12:00
I raced an X7 (Terry Beckett tuned, then I developed it some more) in 1980, very fond memories and great scraps, especially at Brands. Gary Noel, Steve Trasler, Howie Lees, Don Curtin, Tony Green, Jimmy webb and loads more my memory is grasping at, lol. They really were good days and the best crowd of guys you could hope for.
Those names are bringing back great memories, but i was more involved with the bigger bikes. Riding a CB900 myself, i was up against the likes of Graham Marchant ( cb900.cb1100R), Mark Bowen ( GSX1100 ), Pete Ashbolt & Alan Batson ( Katana 1100's ), Dave burford (GS1000?), Paul Lund (CB900) Robin drury, Etc. Etc. I Know Graham Marchant is still around the circuits,and has a website with some great pics. of the time.
Does anyone know if the other guys are still around, and does anyone have any pics. of those early 80's proddie races with Bemsee, southern 67 and newmarket clubs ??
#36
Posted 25 January 2010 - 12:52
Hi Vtwinmad, I did a bit of Production racing in 1980/81 on a Ducati 900SS that my employers (Three Cross Motorcycles) let me use.The starts then were at the flagdrop and everyone (except me !) pressing their start buttons.The Ducati was kickstart only and if you timed it right you could swing on the kickstart and almost simultaneously bang it into first.If you got it right then you could get away with the leaders, get it wrong and you would be stuck on the line, desperatley trying to find neutral and Compression !Those names are bringing back great memories, but i was more involved with the bigger bikes. Riding a CB900 myself, i was up against the likes of Graham Marchant ( cb900.cb1100R), Mark Bowen ( GSX1100 ), Pete Ashbolt & Alan Batson ( Katana 1100's ), Dave burford (GS1000?), Paul Lund (CB900) Robin drury, Etc. Etc. I Know Graham Marchant is still around the circuits,and has a website with some great pics. of the time.
Does anyone know if the other guys are still around, and does anyone have any pics. of those early 80's proddie races with Bemsee, southern 67 and newmarket clubs ??
Mind you , when I was racing the Open Class on my P&M Suzuki, they were all push starts and above the eerie silence that was a second after the flag fell and everyone was pushing, it was amazing how many starter motors you could hear from the proddie bikes alongside !
#37
Posted 25 January 2010 - 14:33
I was runner up to Mike James in the Newmarket championship in 79 and 3rd in the S67 in 80 behind Tony Green and Jimmy Webb, Also Runner up to Colin Pole in the 79 BRC champ but I got my own back in 80 by beating him after a bloody hard seasonThose names are bringing back great memories, but i was more involved with the bigger bikes. Riding a CB900 myself, i was up against the likes of Graham Marchant ( cb900.cb1100R), Mark Bowen ( GSX1100 ), Pete Ashbolt & Alan Batson ( Katana 1100's ), Dave burford (GS1000?), Paul Lund (CB900) Robin drury, Etc. Etc. I Know Graham Marchant is still around the circuits,and has a website with some great pics. of the time.
Does anyone know if the other guys are still around, and does anyone have any pics. of those early 80's proddie races with Bemsee, southern 67 and newmarket clubs ??
#38
Posted 25 January 2010 - 16:18
how very unsporting
#39
Posted 25 January 2010 - 17:27
There was a story going around the paddock that a certain 250 LC rider used to tap novice's on the shoulder when going around coram curve....."it was amazing how many starter motors you could hear from the proddie bikes alongside !"
how very unsporting
#41
Posted 25 January 2010 - 17:54
7 Stu Melen 33 Gerry Mobey .......Still thinking about the other 2
www
#42
Posted 25 January 2010 - 18:23
Gary
7 Stu Melen 33 Gerry Mobey .......Still thinking about the other 2
#43
Posted 25 January 2010 - 18:29
Jimmy Shanks & Steve Wood ?Stu and Gerry correct other 2 well known
Gary
#44
Posted 25 January 2010 - 19:56
No not Jimmy or Steve initials GT & AGJimmy Shanks & Steve Wood ?
#45
Posted 25 January 2010 - 21:07
Ermmmmm gamesmanship I guess ;) I am sure nothing was ever done to bypass the engine tweeking rules Koff Koff"it was amazing how many starter motors you could hear from the proddie bikes alongside !"
how very unsporting
#46
Posted 25 January 2010 - 21:15
How very dare you MBA21 !!Ermmmmm gamesmanship I guess ;) I am sure nothing was ever done to bypass the engine tweeking rules Koff Koff
I am sure that they were all as they left the Factory, although I must admit as being a Ducati mechanic for the Importers, I used to meaure the compression ratio of every customers 900SS when it was in for service and would work bloody long hours into the night swapping cranks, heads and cylinders (thats my ticket to Heaven out of the window !).
It was always the motors with the blue and yellow paint dots (denoting the builder) that were the best
Oh ! And fitting Laverda Jota forks and rear shocks which were an inch and a half longer (stopped the kickstart lever and LH downpipe touching down)
Is it a ten year rule for claiming against another party ? If so then I am home and dry
#47
Posted 25 January 2010 - 21:20
Hands up all those who never used AvgasHow very dare you MBA21 !!
I am sure that they were all as they left the Factory, although I must admit as being a Ducati mechanic for the Importers, I used to meaure the compression ratio of every customers 900SS when it was in for service and would work bloody long hours into the night swapping cranks, heads and cylinders (thats my ticket to Heaven out of the window !).
It was always the motors with the blue and yellow paint dots (denoting the builder) that were the best
Oh ! And fitting Laverda Jota forks and rear shocks which were an inch and a half longer (stopped the kickstart lever and LH downpipe touching down)
Is it a ten year rule for claiming against another party ? If so then I am home and dry
Edited by mba21, 25 January 2010 - 21:22.
#48
Posted 25 January 2010 - 21:26
Eeerrrr , Avgas, isnt that like 100LL ? Never heard of it !!Hands up all those who never used Avgas
#49
Posted 25 January 2010 - 21:32
Wernt it suposed to be fuel from the wayside.tut tut tut well we had a aerodrome next to road by me so that was good enough for me ;) ;)Eeerrrr , Avgas, isnt that like 100LL ? Never heard of it !!
#50
Posted 25 January 2010 - 21:37
Apparently we had an airfield called Bournemouth (Hurn) airport close by but we never used to mix it 50/50 with pump petrol !!Wernt it suposed to be fuel from the wayside.tut tut tut well we had a aerodrome next to road by me so that was good enough for me ;);););)