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2010 Bikes & Racers

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2010 Bikes & Racers
2009 Bikes & Racers
A selection of the bikes and racers on show in 2010.
Vic Eastwood's SP370 Suzuki
Though most famous for his many successes on factory Matchless and BSA victors in the sixties, Vic campaigned a variety of machines in the seventies. He hailed from Kent, where he still resides today, and in the latter part of his career had a long association with Alf and Martin Hagon of Hagon Products. They were, and still are, innovative engineers and built 40 VE Hagon Yamahas using XT engines, one of which Vic campaigned. Then in the late seventies came a new venture - a Hagon Suzuki. Only one was ever built and this is the machine on show. It was based on the SP370 engine, bored and stroked to 450cc. "Much better than the Yamaha" said Vic, "but I crashed it in France and that was the end of my riding career". 
John 'Burly' Burton's last Gold Star
Though final enquiries are still ongoing to prove this is indeed Burton's machine Big John certainly believes it to be authentic. Known as 'Burly' through his strength and height John was a BSA team member in the early sixties on Goldies and represented his country in the M/x Des Nations three times in 1959, 1960 and 1961. He was also runner up on the Gold Star in the 500cc British championship twice - both times to the immortal Jeff Smith. He now lives on the Isle of Skye.
Dave Curtis's G80 and G85 Matchless classics
Curtis, an Oxfordshire farmer of immense strength, campaigned both the earlier G80 and G85 models in British and International meetings in the late fifties and sixties with great success. They were heavy but fast machines and only the very best could tame them! Curtis did so in 1958 when he won his only British championship in decisive style from Don Rickman, accumulating nearly twice Don's points tally. The following year Dave made his first concerted effort on the world series, taking 3 seconds, 2 thirds and 2 fourth placings to finish in 3rd spot after relinquishing second to Bill Nilsson at the final round . Both machines are fully rebuilt to original specification.
The Dalesman Collection
Dalesman competition motorcyles were manufactured in Otley, Yorkshire by Pete Edmondson between 1968 and 1971. Four models are on display: a 1968 Mk1 4 speed trials, a 1970 Mk2 6 speed trials, a rare export-only 6 speed Puch engined Enduro, and a 1970 Dalesman Scrambler
Many of the frames for this manufacturer were welded by occupants of the local prison! The firm went into liquidation as a result of non-payment of a large export order to America in 1972.
Dave Bickers' Greeves
Dave still owns the Greeves Hawkstone on which he took the 1960 European 250cc title. It's in the condition as it finished that year's series which he won by 13 points from fellow Brit Jeff Smith. Dave successfully defended his crown in 1961, the last year of the Euro title before the advent of the world series in 1962. He has no idea where his 1961 title winner is!

“Ago” beater John Cooper heads the Stars of Road Racing at the Telford Show
Not just once but three times did John “ Moon Eyes “ Cooper win the ‘Race of the Year’ at Mallory park .Though best known for his 1971 success against Giacomo Agostini and the mighty fire engine MV the modest Cooper had already won the £1000 race on a Manx Norton in 1965 and on a Yamsel in 1970. Each time the best riders in the world like Hailwood and Read were up against him but John was simply the master at Mallory. The 50,000 crowds that went there in those years loved it. John also had massive success elsewhere, like at Ontario in 1971 when on the Rocket 3 Triple he beat all opposition to win the coveted £6000 prize before a competitor claimed, as he was entitled to in those days, the bike! Or what about when John crashed badly at Brands when chasing Paul Smart? As the crumpled Rocket was recovered, a blooded John hobbled in to the paddock with cuts all over him saying “Get it ready, I’m out in the next one”, before proceeding to win the superbike race and tie up another British championship title.
 
Neil Hudson
Before becoming World 250 M/X champion of 1981 riding a factory Yamaha, Neil had a traumatic 2 years. After finishing runner up on his Maico to Hakan Carlqvist for the ‘79 series he switched to Yamaha.  After just one race Maico took him to court for breach of contract and Neil was forced to contest the 1980 series once again riding his West German steed . But in only the second GP he crashed and broke his leg. By the autumn  he was fit again and trained harder than ever for the ‘81 series under the watch of Team Advisor Heikki Mikkola. After a season long battle with the Suzuki team leader,  Belgian’s Georges Jobe, Neil took the crown amidst incredible circumstances at the very last race in Holland.  He switched to the 500cc class for the following year and took a great 3rd place behind Brad Lackey, yet surprisingly Yamaha didn’t bid for his services again for 1983.
 
Chris Horsefield
The stylish Stratford on Avon based ‘Horse’ made a massive impact on the ultra competitive sixties scrambles scene on Matchless and CZ machinery. Taking over from Dave Curtis as Matchless team leader Chris vied with Bickers and Smith for early sixties success and tied up the 1964/5 BBC TV Saturday afternoon Grandstand Trophy series to become  a household name . The sight of the mighty Matchless with its superbly fit jockey taking on the lighter BSA victor and Greeves in the winter mud enthralled millions of viewers. But a year later the time had come to switch to the new CZ, to which Bickers had also moved.  Regular wins in the TV series and abroad ensued, but the ultimate prize of the world title eluded Chris with the iron curtain based Czech factory crucially favouring their Russian and East German riders.
 
Geraint Jones
The quiet but determined Welshman was Britain’s top enduro rider in the seventies and eighties. He won 10 individual British championship titles between 1979 and ‘89 and many ISDT gold medals riding virtually exclusively for the West German Maico concern. Whilst UK riders now regularly compete in European rounds abroad Geraint and Mick Bowers were the continental forerunners. Now a successful hill farmer at Llanidloes, Geraint now runs Yamaha’s Off Road Experience Days around his extensive hillside  land . He is also active in running events in mid Wales in an organisational capacity for the ACU, the biggest of which was the highly successful European round in 2008.
ISDT reunion
Big Arthur Browning has organised a reunion for those who rode in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s events. Amongst those to attend are Sammy Miller, John Knight, Colin Dommett, Michael Martin, Pat Slinn, Ernie Page, Dai Jeremiah, John May, Derrick Eddy, John Pease, Mary Driver, Wyn Hughes, Alan Bates, Nick Jefferies, Peter Fletcher, John Giles, Ron Langston, Jim Jones, Andy Roberton, Ady Smith, Rob Sartin, Scott Ellis, Brian Higgins, Carl Tiley, Mick Extance and Katrina Price .   

Contact Alan Wright 01789 751422