British Historic Racing..

[Sir Limpsalot]

At Lydden Hill, Kent. Lydden is the circuit where, over 30 years ago now, I met the young lady who was to become my wife and the mother of my children. I was a handsome young racer and she was a "groupie". Actually that last part is a downright lie, but it's fun to say it to see the reaction I get. I sometimes tell people that she was working as a pub stripper when we first met (another lie, of course) for the same reason.

Anyway, Lydden is a small and friendly track set in an attractive natural ampitheatre. A little over a mile in length and without a straight it is a real "riders" track. There is an uphill stretch leading to a wide sweeping hairpin before the track plunges back down the hill to the testing Paddock Bend.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics052.jpg

This was an "British Historic Racing" club event. If it's old and has two (or three) wheels and an engine there's a class for it. (We Brits will race anything!). just because some of these machines are worth a small fortune doesn't mean they get treated in any way gently, trust me.

One of the best races of the day was the second three wheeler event. As well as the traditional sidecars, check out this Berkley. With it's front wheel drive and tuned mini engine it looked to be the race favourite..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics093.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics037.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics038.jpg

Out on the track it went well too. The passenger is required for the rules but obviously can't contribute much in the way that a sidecar passenger does.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics096.jpg

There was a "Mogvin" too. A Vincent engined three wheeler, driving through the single rear wheel.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics089.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics087.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics088.jpg

An original Morgan from 1932. With the 1208cc JAP (J.A.Prestwich of England) vee twin. Driven by Bill and Maggie Tuer. Worth a kings ransom.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics090.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics091.jpg

Maggie can just be seen crouching low in the cockpit, she can't see where they're going it's pure trust in her driver..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics098.jpg

The winners? By an astonishing piece of sheer balls and huge skill...
The Tuers in the Morgan!

Not forgetting the sidecars. "Does my bum look big in this?"

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics100.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics097-1.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics101.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics099-1.jpg

Some of the race bike have plainly seen plenty of action over the years. These old Velo's went and sounded a lot better than they looked.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics022.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics023.jpg

This is Ian Bain (1935 Works Norton 500) locked in mortal combat with Ian Cramp (1929 Velocette KTT). They were this close the whole race.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics117.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics061.jpg

There were some lovely Manx Nortons, of course. Was there ever a more handsome engine?

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics030.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics031.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics083.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics084.jpg

There will be a part two following along later, with one or two surprises..
Cheers,
Si.

[Boyaghan]

Thanks for the photos Simon. I've always associated Lydden with Rallycross as I remember watching it on TV in the '70s :)

[Sir Limpsalot]

Barry, they still race Rallycross at Lydden. Not sure if it's still on TV though..

The "big bikes" were there in force. The wailing BSA/Triumph triples are always favourites of mine.
I would have taken this one home with me if I could. A Rob North BSA Rocket3

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics039.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics040.jpg

Ably ridden by owner Brian Hunt.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics047.jpg

Paul Coote (#148) was in the thick of it on his Triumph 3.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics048.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics050.jpg

It was ridden at Cadwell Park two weeks ago by none other than Gene Romero. He signed the fairing along with British stars of the era John Cooper, Percy Tait and Chris Vincent.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics027.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics028.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics029.jpg

Paul is part of the "Three Bears" Racing team. Their machines are beautifully turned out.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics024.jpg

There were Italian bikes too. From 'Guzzi and Laverda.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics051.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics113.jpg

Winner of the big race was #114 Rob Walker on his superb 675cc Velocette.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics115.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics049.jpg

He has two. A 675 for the open class, and a 500 for the smaller one. They are superbly prepared and he rides them to the limit!

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics018.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics019.jpg

John Fawcett went well on his Seeley G50.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics118.jpg

Remember I said we'd race anything? Here's the proof..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics021.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics074.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics072.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics078.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics077.jpg

I claim a "first" for pictures of Scooter racing here at the Cafe. In case you're wondering, the Scooter boys put on a real show. Fast and furious. Well, furious anyway..

As always there was some lovely stuff in the car parks too. My son Neil (aka "Stumpy") takes after his Grandad, fell in love with this nice little MAC Velo.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics043.jpg

His Dad fancied this Thunderbird..

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics092.jpg

A "fifties" Ford Zodiac looked good to both of us.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics046.jpg

An open top "Minor", just the job for a sunny weekend cruise.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/LyddenClassics112.jpg

I'd not been to Lydden since I last raced there. Hadn't thought much about it, or about racing either (except as a spectator). Within minutes of arriving as I watched the snarling "500's" pile round the hairpin, I suddenly thought
"I could still do that!"
I mentioned it to Neil. "Sure you could" he said "I don't doubt it for a second".
I mentioned it to Lin. "Just what I was thinking" she said.

There's even a race for "Competitors over the age of 50"..

Si.

[Arby]

Si, I would have really enjoyed walking the pits (paddock) with you and checking out the machinery. Sounds like the parking area had some nice ones too.

Regards racing the "over fifty " class.

I tried that about 6 or 7 years ago in Hare Scrambles which is sort of like motocross was back in the old days.

On the first lap of my first race, some guy on a 490 Maico cener punched me and I went over the high side on a down hill turn.

Judy had to help me load the bike, then drive me home (over a hundred miles) then help me hobble to the couch. I stayed there
pretty much full time for a week with ice packs on my knee.

Now, I'm not trying to discourage you or anything, but......,
My mother used to say "A word to the wise is sufficent":)

I'm sure you'll do quite well if you do decide to start racing again:pot::)

RB

[Sir Limpsalot]

Arby, I would have loved having you along. There was lots of neat stuff there.
Come to think about it, as a young(er) man didn't you have a sporting three wheeler? I'm sure I remember you posting a pic of one ages ago. I'd love to hear about it.
Thanks for the advice about the "over 50" racing. Oddly enough, now my ears have stopped ringing and I can no longer smell the "R", it does seem an enterprise fraught with both danger and difficulty..
Thanks for the interest.

Cheers,
Si.

[SV Andy]

Looks like a great day Si, cracking little thing that Morgan.

[DarthRider]

Great post Si...You blokes should invite the Kiwis over for a good & proper match!
When I come to England, I'd love to schedule it for those races...screw Moto GP, I want to see some real racing.

Re the over 50 racing...here is some advice I got from a mutual hero, Mr. Jack Wilson of hot, fast Triumph fame.
I'd bought a partially restored 1972 Bultaco 360 Astro factory flat track racer...a real monster. I was about 50 then I guess. I played with it on some sand lots, did noisy wheelies up & down the street, pissed off all the neighbors, had fun.
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/191540067_TnXdS-L.jpg

Then I decided to get some leathers and a "steel shoe", go to the monthly 3/8 mile dirt track and just have fun, sliding it around in the bottom third of the pack. Sounded like a grand plan. Until I asked Jack what he thought about it.

He hit the damn ceiling! He said he'd personally kick my ass if "I took that damn thing out there to play". He said I would get hurt for sure and probably killed! And likely take someone else with me.
Then he said, if I got serious about it and went out there to actually 'race', he'd be all for it, would help me set up the bike, and would actually crew for me!
I mulled it over and it made perfect sense, something I should have already known, with a racing background. Race tracks are not for playing, they are for racing. Anything less, any less than a full commitment to it, is just dangerous & stupid.
Racing is plenty dangerous enough without adding the stupid factor!
I wasn't prepared to make that level commitment at that point in my life. I sold the Astro to a rich dentist who added it to his game-room race bike collection, and as far as I know, it never ran again.
I always regretted selling it to that poser, I should have sold it to a vintage racer and gone to see it race.
It was like stuffing an old race horse...Jack should have kicked my ass anyway!

So, don't know if there is anything useful there Si, but your story reminded me of some great advice I once got.

Let us know what you decide...I'd love to crew for you!

[Griffon]

I say, get in there! You raced before, so the reflexes are there. I'm sure once you suited up and got on the starting grid, it would all come back!

[Wild Will]

Simon, it just never ends, does it! Splendid. Moving. Heroic. World class. Mechanical priapism at its finest. You keep this up and we're going to have to come aross the pond one of these days. Just awesome. You Da Man!

[JCsman]

Sounds like a great day, Simon. I appreciate you taking me along.

Alas, the closest I ever came to owning any of the machines in your report was my (brief) ownership of a Morris Minor sedan. I believe I'd have traded for about anything else in your photos. Even the scooters.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Simon, it just never ends, does it! Splendid. Moving. Heroic. World class. Mechanical priapism at its finest. Just awesome. You Da Man!

Will, you liked it then? Good.:)

Arby and Dave, good advice guys. Thanks.

Of course, there's no fool like an old fool. Does my bum look big on this?

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/DSCF00031.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/DSCF00041.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee298/thruxton120/DSCF00061.jpg

Cheers,
Si.

[Arby]

Si, at this stage of life, we're not worried 'bout our backside being (or looking) too large, rather is our gut too big to allow a full tuck. You appear to be able to tuck in quite well.

I say go for it :pot::)

RB

[AZBMWRIDER]

Very Nice...

[Dirty Doug]

Sir Si,
You look at home sitting atop that machine. I say if it's in your blood go for it, but to echo Dave, commit all out or pass. I see it all the time in PCA racing. They are high speed touring and the rest of us are trying to race. The two don't mix.

Dirty Doug

[FryDaddy]

DD, as in Porsche Club of America? Do you club race? If so, what are you racing? Some day I tell myself...some day.

Terry

[Dirty Doug]

Terry,
I raced quite a bit in PCA Club. I ran a C class 993. Sold the car about five years ago and now crew with autometricsmotorsport.com for their GrandAm and PCA racing.

Dirty Doug