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Ballaugh Bridge and its associated jump are one of the seminal sights and sounds of the Isle of Man TT races. The main shot shows John Marcotte on his AJS in the 1956 Senior TT. The American seems to be doing the tried and tested method of keeping the bike as low as possible over the jump, with the rear landing first. Back in the day you’d probably be hard-pushed to get more than 30mph over the bridge itself, but times have changed and today’s machines can (should the rider take the bridge in a certain ‘style’) hit the bridge at twice that speed and ‘fly’ for up to 20 metres.... Care must be taken on landing because – rather like Cadwell Park’s Mountain, you can run the risk of…
Even today, looking back on legends of Grand Prix racing such as Mike Hailwood, Barry Sheene, Kenny Roberts, Phil Read, Angel Nieto and the more modern contingent of Marc Marquez, Casey Stoner and even Valentino Rossi, one name still stands tall. Maybe taller than them all. Giacomo Agostini: Ago was not only a talented individual on two wheels, taking an unprecedented 122 Grand Prix wins and 15 world championship titles, he was also blessed with film star good looks and charm in abundance. He was quick around the Isle of Man, too… Despite racing on the Island just 16 times, he would win 10 races and retire from three, finishing on the podium in the other three – all on MV Agustas. The wins included a Senior/Junior double in 1968,…
So far, only one parent and child combination has taken the ultimate two-wheeled championship, that of the old 500cc class and its current incarnation MotoGP, and that’s the great Kenny Roberts (1978, 79, 80 champ) and his boy, Kenny Junior (2000.) Junior grew up in a time when Senior was helping train not just the next generation of US talent, such as Doug Chandler, Wayne Rainey and John Kocinski, at his dirt-track ranch, but European riders. ‘Little Kenny’ as he would be called was never pushed into racing by his famous and successful father but – aged 15 – he made the decision himself after watching John Kocinski race at Willow Springs. Kenny Senior only backed Junior when he saw how determined he was. Sadly, despite this, the nepotism card…
Keep your leathers, textiles, boots and gloves looking good, smelling fresh and in peak condition with these care products from S100. Developed and made in Germany, they are simple to apply and will extend the life of your riding kit. Find out more at www.thekeycollection.co.uk Across 1: See 14 Down.3: The final GP team for Rob McElnea as he was called in to replace the injured Bubba Shobert. (5,5)9: A feather-light touch on throttle or brakes, perhaps? (6)11: The initials on the tank for the 500cc World Champion for 17 straight years until just over 50 years ago. (2)12: See 14 Down.15: Rachel, late French racer who was nicknamed ‘the boss’ of Supersport and won twice at Le Mans in the 1990s. (7)16: Four initials that refer to the only…
Classic Racer, Mortons Media Group, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR. CRletters@mortons.co.uk facebook.com/ClassicRacerMag/ Star letter If you want to get in touch… Then please do. We read every letter, email and comment sent to us and we enjoy hearing from you whether you’ve an event coming up, a motorcycle you own or just want to let us know about something you find interesting in Classic Racer’s world. LOVED V&M RACING! Dear CR I’ve been enjoying the tales from Jack Valentine and his time running V&M Racing. They certainly added a big splash of colour to the paddocks of the 1990s. I was a keen supporter of the team back in the day as I do recall the V&M boys during their early stints in the drag race paddock.…
Formula 750 British class launched! The East Midlands Racing Association (EMRA), based at Mallory Park, is adding a new, all-British Formula 750 class to four of its club meetings at the Leicestershire circuit this year. The entry is open to any competitors on twins or triples with British-built four-stroke engines, and Mallory boss Stuart Hicken is hoping to attract a field of 40 bikes for the championship. “We’re aiming to re-create the halcyon battles between the howling BSA and Triumph triples, and the John Player Nortons that dominated Formula 750 in the early 1970s,” said Hicken. “A lot of these bikes have been sidelined by later, more competitive Japanese bikes being included in classic races. So, we’re creating Formula 750 British, a back-to-basics racing class for British twins and triples,…
