131 replies to this topic

[exclubracer]

Hi - Just come across the thread after some time. The Assegai was based on a Kohler snowmobile crankcase, 440cc and mated to a six speed gearbox/dry clutch designed by me and built bu Barry Hart. The motor used Amal monobloc carbs made in Spain and bored out to 40mm. The problems on it's first race was the viton rubber tip on the float needle coming off after the warm up lap. The race was a clutch start, and the carb overflowed on the dummy grid due to the faulty float and soaked the dry clutch with oil - huge clutch slip which lasted for two or three laps and then cooked the clutch. the frame was my own ally monocoque, and the bike weighed 92 kg, about 30 kg lighter than an RG 500. Power was 94BHP vs 130BHP from a good RG500. The bike wwas left with a relative in the UK when I came back to SA, and he decided to become a hippy in British Honduras and gave it away..........

Have a look at what I am doing currently - look at www.adeptairmotive.com, some interesting stuff there.

The guys are right - definately a first class 2nd Class rider.......

Many thanks for that Richard, I always wondered about the basic details of your bike. Such a shame it's not still around.

[Jenny Richards Cruickshank]

It´s the old memory you know. Fading quickly I´m afraid Russell .
He deserverves more than just a mention. He was one of our (Rhodesia´s) best. Bruce suprised a lot of people with his performaces in Europe, me in particular, I must say. I rated him highly but never thought he would do as well as he did. All round nice guy as well.
Anyone know what he´s up to these days?

Dad is here with me for a few weeks and having read the forum has asked me to give a mention to another two greats. Gordon Kieth and Alan Harris. These Rhodie's raced at the Isle of Man. Gordon won the Isle of Man on his 250cc Greeves and Alan was also racing a Greeves and unfortunately his rear chain broke 10 miles after the start. Alan also raced a Matchless G50 in the 500 class. I thought you might be interested in this information. Dad has left me with a whole bunch of photos of himself at various circuts.. at the moment I have him writing down the details on the back of them so that I can post them with a clue as to where and when they were taken. So will be doing this in the next few weeks. Errol Cowan's wife contacted Dad to inform him of his passing, which was very upsetting for Dad as they were very good friends. He was recalling all the good old days with Errol and how he used to "crash" at his house in Johannesburg.

[Jenny Richards Cruickshank]

Some Information on Ray Richards, The dates below are approximate as Dad cant remember them exactly. (the old brain, this is far too taxing for him )

In the beginning... Ray started racing in 1956/7 and this was dirt track racing. He converted a 500cc AJS roadbike into a dirt bike. This is where the bug bit him. In 1958 he converted to tar racing and raced his first race on a 500cc BSA Goldstar at the Belvedere Circut in Salisbury Rhodesia, his mechanic at that time was Colin Campbell. Colin stayed with him until 1960 and then Bill Baytes took over. His first win was in 1961 at the Marlboro Circut in Salisbury Rhodesia racing a 500cc Matchless G50. His second win was in 1961 Kitwe Northern Rhodesia on 350cc Max Norton and his 500cc Matchless G50. After this he went to SA and started racing on their circuts with sponsorship from Shell.....To be continued when he remembers some more

His hero was Norman Lundersted (Car Racer and Mechanic) he converted Dad's Bike and made it really fast (for those days ) The reciepe he added to the bikes petrol tank was like "milk" (methonal and Benzel) it made the bike fly. In the beginning (Dirt Racing) Dad was track shy and he would arrive and watch everyone from a distance then he would get on his bike and ride home without doing any racing. He would then act as if he had been racing and get on his town bike and go to the Appollo Theatre to meet up his friends. It was only when Norman Lundersted chained his bike to a tree so that he couldnt escape racing that he actually started to race. He then went on to win his very first race. It was then that Norman Lundersted saw alot of potential in him and actually went to see his folks to convince them that he should be racing as my grand mother was not happy with her only son taking to the race track and wanted him to give it up. Thankfully he managed to persude them and he started racing tar shortly after that. Even though my Grand mother was so nervous with him being on the track she never missed a race and even operated a cine camera. Which Dad says is not easy to watch as she was shaking so much she forgot to follow the riders as they went by.

Dad's Favourite Tracks were:

Roy Heskith in South Africa.
Kitwe Garnaton in Northern Rhodesia.
Marlboro in Southern Rhodesia.

If there is anyone who has any questions for him he would be more than happy to answer them, as he will be with me for a few weeks.

Edited by Jenny Richards Cruickshank, 20 February 2010 - 18:25.

[fil2.8]

Thanks for the info , Jenny , look forwards to seeing the pics

[Jenny Richards Cruickshank]

Some Information on Ray Richards, The dates below are approximate as Dad cant remember them exactly. (the old brain, this is far too taxing for him )

In the beginning... Ray started racing in 1956/7 and this was dirt track racing. He converted a 500cc AJS roadbike into a dirt bike. This is where the bug bit him. In 1958 he converted to tar racing and raced his first race on a 500cc BSA Goldstar at the Belvedere Circut in Salisbury Rhodesia, his mechanic at that time was Colin Campbell. Colin stayed with him until 1960 and then Bill Baytes took over. His first win was in 1961 at the Marlboro Circut in Salisbury Rhodesia racing a 500cc Matchless G50. His second win was in 1961 Kitwe Northern Rhodesia on 350cc Max Norton and his 500cc Matchless G50. After this he went to SA and started racing on their circuts with sponsorship from Shell.....To be continued when he remembers some more

His hero was Norman Lundersted (Car Racer and Mechanic) he converted Dad's Bike and made it really fast (for those days ) The reciepe he added to the bikes petrol tank was like "milk" (methonal and Benzel) it made the bike fly. In the beginning (Dirt Racing) Dad was track shy and he would arrive and watch everyone from a distance then he would get on his bike and ride home without doing any racing. He would then act as if he had been racing and get on his town bike and go to the Appollo Theatre to meet up his friends. It was only when Norman Lundersted chained his bike to a tree so that he couldnt escape racing that he actually started to race. He then went on to win his very first race. It was then that Norman Lundersted saw alot of potential in him and actually went to see his folks to convince them that he should be racing as my grand mother was not happy with her only son taking to the race track and wanted him to give it up. Thankfully he managed to persude them and he started racing tar shortly after that. Even though my Grand mother was so nervous with him being on the track she never missed a race and even operated a cine camera. Which Dad says is not easy to watch as she was shaking so much she forgot to follow the riders as they went by.

Dad's Favourite Tracks were:

Roy Heskith in South Africa.
Kitwe Garnaton in Northern Rhodesia.
Marlboro in Southern Rhodesia.

If there is anyone who has any questions for him he would be more than happy to answer them, as he will be with me for a few weeks.

Apologies for the staggered info and typo's, trying to type as fast as Dad is chatting.... no easy task

[SILVERDREAMRACER]

Dave Petersen...is he South African?
seen here re-united with his Factory XR70 few weeks back in South Africa..
Picture and bike courtesy of Steve Wheatman

[Coupe Kawasaki]

Apologies for the staggered info and typo's, trying to type as fast as Dad is chatting.... no easy task

Great stuff Jenny, love the chaining the bike to a tree! Better get those question going lads if Ray is only there for a few weeks!




Always nice to hear from the old boys though a bit before my time Jenny, Thanks.




David

[Russell Burrows]

Apologies for the staggered info and typo's, trying to type as fast as Dad is chatting.... no easy task

Hi Jenny, thanks for the info. I'm afraid I know little about Ray's career - did he get to Britain/Europe?

[Jenny Richards Cruickshank]

Hi Jenny, thanks for the info. I'm afraid I know little about Ray's career - did he get to Britain/Europe?

No unfortunately he never rode in Britain or Europe. He did enter for the Isle of Mann in 1964 but unfortunately the bike he was going to ride was not available for him.

[Buzz47]

Dave Petersen...is he South African?
seen here re-united with his Factory XR70 few weeks back in South Africa..
Picture and bike courtesy of Steve Wheatman

When I was a kid I used to cycle out to Donnybrook Park Circuit outside of Salisbury and watch Dave and Kieth racing - If I remember correctly both had Shell Suzuki GSX1100s. They were always spectacular!

I had the pleasure of trail riding with Dave and Robbie about 11 years ago in Domboshawa, a vast area of granite mountains and valleys outside Harare. We were a very fast pack and did a distance of about 120km - he got a bit knackered in the end, but what a rider. Very economical and stylish and still up for a bit of racing.

He also had that fantastic TV programme, Twistgrip about bikes: Religiously viewed by every rider in Southern Africa.

Edited by Buzz47, 04 March 2010 - 13:40.

[suzukiman]

When I was a kid I used to cycle out to Donnybrook Park Circuit outside of Salisbury and watch Dave and Kieth racing - If I remember correctly both had Shell Suzuki GSX1100s. They were always spectacular!

I had the pleasure of trail riding with Dave and Robbie about 11 years ago in Domboshawa, a vast area of granite mountains and valleys outside Harare. We were a very fast pack and did a distance of about 120km - he got a bit knackered in the end, but what a rider. Very economical and stylish and still up for a bit of racing.

He also had that fantastic TV programme, Twistgrip about bikes: Religiously viewed by every rider in Southern Africa.

dave still HAS HIS tv PROGRAM, BROADCAST RIGHT ACROSS Africa EVERY FRIDAY AT APPROX 6.30.

he rode the XR 70 in the SA Classic TT revival at Zwartkops Raceway near Pretoria as well as at Killarney in Cape Town. Unfortunately the bike had just completed a long restoration in the UK before Steve sent it out to SA and damaged a crankshaft. Dave has also restored the Ducati Pantah that keith used to win at least two SA titles on in the late 70's, and he rode it at Zwartkops as well. Ophie Howard, who was also one of the great Rhodesian riders and is Dave's cousin, also rode the ducati for a session at Zwartkops.

For those who are interested errol Cowan's last ride was at Zwartkops in Jan 2009 on a 450 Ducati single. The bike belongs to Ian Groat, a local enthusiast who provides beautifully prepared bikes for Jim Redman, Jimmy Guthrie and Peter Labuschagne. This year he also provide Alan Cathcart and Phil Read with bikes for Zwartkops, Cape Town and East London.

[Coupe Kawasaki]

Didn't Keith ride Kawasaki Triples?



David

[Henry Snee]

For those who are interested errol Cowan's last ride was at Zwartkops in Jan 2009 on a 450 Ducati single. The bike belongs to Ian Groat, a local enthusiast who provides beautifully prepared bikes for Jim Redman, Jimmy Guthrie and Peter Labuschagne.

Here's a pic I've got from Zwartkops 09 of that last ride for Errol, slightly hidden at the back of this group with the EC plate.

David

[Henry Snee]

This year he also provide Alan Cathcart and Phil Read with bikes for Zwartkops, Cape Town and East London.

From the Zwartkops classic 2010, here's a couple of multiple world champions, a South African rider and a British journalist along with Team Incomplete.

David

[picblanc]

Nice pics David.

[richardwebb]

Hello. I am publishing a book on Killarney Race Track, in Cape Town South Africa entitled 50 Golden Racing Years. A Modern History of Killarney Race Track 1960 to 2010. I'd be very pleased to hear from any historians, enthusiasts or in fact anyone that has a recollection, archives or information to share on Killarney associated with this era. I am hoping to make contact with as many competitors as possible, past and present and would also value information on the vehicles and teams that competed there be it as as a one off or on a regular basis.

regards


Richard Webb
078 155 3084
richard@credibilitygroup.co.za

[Sakkie]

I was just searching through the various threads and found this one. Lovely to read about a period in South African racing which really was the golden era of the sport in our country. and one I was fortunate enough to be active in.

I was surprised there wasn´t much mention, or even a pic, of the greatest South African rider ever, and I say that with every respect for the two world champions we did produce.

Johan Boshoff, or just plain, "Bossie", as he was better known, was a one off. I was privileged to be a friend of his (truth is, I was his most ardent fan, and was in total awe of the man) and besides being incredably fast and totally fearless, he really was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet.

So, I decided to put the record straight and looked through my old mags and found this pic. The quality of the photo is poor, but that matters little, because it is a powerful shot of how he looked when scratching on the absolute limit. This shot of Bossie thundering through the Jukskei sweep on the old Kyalami circuit was taken in 1972, flat out in 5th on his TZ 350. Sadly, it was at this very spot that he lost his life 5 years later when he crashed his 750 Yamaha during practice for the Rand Winter Trophy. Sad, sad day indeed. .

Gone maybe, but NEVER forgotten.

Edited by Sakkie, 16 February 2012 - 15:38.

[ravenous25]

there's an interview here I did with Jon Ekerold, primarily about his pure road racing career but obviously also mentioning his World Championship GP achievements.

http://www.realroadr.../009/heroes.php

[picblanc]

Hi - Just come across the thread after some time. The Assegai was based on a Kohler snowmobile crankcase, 440cc and mated to a six speed gearbox/dry clutch designed by me and built bu Barry Hart. The motor used Amal monobloc carbs made in Spain and bored out to 40mm. The problems on it's first race was the viton rubber tip on the float needle coming off after the warm up lap. The race was a clutch start, and the carb overflowed on the dummy grid due to the faulty float and soaked the dry clutch with oil - huge clutch slip which lasted for two or three laps and then cooked the clutch. the frame was my own ally monocoque, and the bike weighed 92 kg, about 30 kg lighter than an RG 500. Power was 94BHP vs 130BHP from a good RG500. The bike wwas left with a relative in the UK when I came back to SA, and he decided to become a hippy in British Honduras and gave it away..........

Have a look at what I am doing currently - look at www.adeptairmotive.com, some interesting stuff there.

The guys are right - definately a first class 2nd Class rider.......

These pics had been deleted on this thread so re-posted these that have been done @ better resolution.



Both Photos Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

I like this one of Dave Petersen @ Silverstone 1985.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

Under-rated & holder @ the time of the wrong passport maybe? Mario Rademeyer 1985.
Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Felix]

Oh dear, it´s all flooding back. I left two (probably a lot more) very important names out of my list. The first one was that great campaigner, Freddie Van Niekerk. I just loved watching him. Espcially on the 350 Honda twin he won the SA title on in about 1969.
And then there was Bert Klaver. He was the greatest talent I´ve ever seen on 2 wheels. He appeared in about 1971 on a brand new TD2, stunned everyone for 6 months, then had a bad fall in Cape Town (Killarney), broke his leg, and vanished as quickly as he had appeared. There were a few sighs of relief, I can promise you.

Bert rallied after that at semi-professional level, then IIRC he had a baddie and retired.

[picblanc]

& while I'm here Alan North 1975/76?

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

1976 @ Brands Hatch.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[picblanc]

And writer of the best ever motorcycle racing book/biography Jon Ekerold Silverstone 1976.

Photo Copyrighted to Graham Etheridge.

[Paul Collins]

I was just searching through the various threads and found this one. Lovely to read about a period in South African racing which really was the golden era of the sport in our country. and one I was fortunate enough to be active in.

I was surprised there wasn´t much mention, or even a pic, of the greatest South African rider ever, and I say that with every respect for the two world champions we did produce.

Johan Boshoff, or just plain, "Bossie", as he was better known, was a one off. I was privileged to be a friend of his (truth is, I was his most ardent fan, and was in total awe of the man) and besides being incredably fast and totally fearless, he really was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet.

So, I decided to put the record straight and looked through my old mags and found this pic. The quality of the photo is poor, but that matters little, because it is a powerful shot of how he looked when scratching on the absolute limit. This shot of Bossie thundering through the Jukskei sweep on the old Kyalami circuit was taken in 1972, flat out in 5th on his TZ 350. Sadly, it was at this very spot that he lost his life 5 years later when he crashed his 750 Yamaha during practice for the Rand Winter Trophy. Sad, sad day indeed. .

Gone maybe, but NEVER forgotten.





I'm sure I remember him beating Ago and the MV in South Africa one winter when I was a kid?

[picblanc]

Think he did, wasnt it when Pickrell & Smart were there also & crashed out?

[philippe7]

I was surprised there wasn´t much mention, or even a pic, of the greatest South African rider ever, and I say that with every respect for the two world champions we did produce.
Johan Boshoff, or just plain, "Bossie", as he was better known, was a one off. I was privileged to be a friend of his (truth is, I was his most ardent fan, and was in total awe of the man) and besides being incredably fast and totally fearless, he really was one of the nicest people you could wish to meet.

He was mentioned on quite a few occasions, and by knowledgeable people like the Aldrige bros. for instance . But finding it involves a fair bit of searching through the forum

See this post and the following ones
http://forums.autosp...w...t&p=3256424

Then there's this one, and the following discussion
http://forums.autosp...w...t&p=3868750

And also there....
http://forums.autosp...w...t&p=3535153

And there...
http://forums.autosp...w...t&p=2610097

[Russell Burrows]

ex Rhodie Racer would have been a source of good info here. Whatever happened to him?

[picblanc]

ex Rhodie Racer would have been a source of good info here. Whatever happened to him?

Dont know, bit worrying Russell?

[RoyHeskethHeritage]

Check out my Roy Hesketh Circuit website http://www.royheskethcircuit.com/

[RoyHeskethHeritage]

Check out my website www.royheskethcircuit.com

[RoyHeskethHeritage]

Does anyone have any stories or pics of South African bike racers from the 70s or 80s,or did any of you race in South Africa.I would like to hear about it.

Check out my website at:- http://royheskethcir...motorcycle.html