Circuit Shorts

By Alan Turner

While TSM's main purpose in life is looking to events in the near future, that's a rather clouded issue at present. There has been some action, but mainly in the guise of practice events and, with events allowing limited spectator attendance only just announced, motorcycle sport generally is still marking time.

Another dose of nostalgia? Well, inevitably, but this was occasioned by being asked to review a privately published book, 'Down to Brands' by Ted Reading. Living on the west side of London, for three years in the mid-sixties, Ted and assorted friends would attend the almost regular roster of meetings organised by Motor Circuit Developments. The meetings were very well supported by a cast of riders that made pilgrimages to Snetterton, Mallory Park and Oulton Park. Some riders with more secure finances might be competing on an almost weekly basis.

For many who regularly spectated it was a golden age of racing. The bigger classes were the last gasp of the big British singles, Manxes, G50s, 7Rs, with an occasional Velocette, Gold Star or Triumph. The thoroughbred race bikes offered near identical performance, so it was riding skill that secured the prize money and even start money, although the amounts were hardly enormous. However, little of this had to be ploughed back into the bikes as they would usually last a season without major attention, even the tyres. The smaller classes offered considerably more variety, but Honda's CR93 was the only way to succeed in the 125 class while it was a little longer before the 250s succumbed to Japanese dominance. Apart from race numbers, fairings were sticker-free.

Ted's text fills in some of the background, but much of the atmosphere of the time is captured in the photographs. Be warned, these are not top-grade professional, count-the-stitches-onthe-leathers pictures. Most were taken with quality cameras, but without the advantage of a long lens. The subject riders are relatively small. However, what you do get is the setting, Brands as it was, the detail that has faded, possibly into Down to Brands unreliable memory.

The circuit was all-but surrounded by advert hoardings, almost universally with automotive connections. The Druids infield, now the 'Photographers' Gallery', in the sixties was an area that would probably send Chris Packham into raptures.

Another long gone (and forgotten?) feature was near the main entrance to the circuit, beneath the enormous 'half-tyre' of the Dunlop bridge. Ted fairly sums up the paddock as like a giant market, with its rows of plastic roofed metal stands. Although it should be noted that Brands facilities were among the best of the British circuits at the time.

Attendances were often considerable, but the crowds swelled further on the one or two occasions every year when the meetings were awarded international status. Depending on the timing, this often featured a programme of works riders and machinery and made an interesting yardstick by which the short-circuit regulars ('the scratchers') could judge themselves.

'A golden age'? A subjective term and the age of the person defining it also determines what is golden to them. History might refer glibly to the decade as the 'Swinging Sixties' but as evidenced by the book's photos, that was also someone else's definition.

Down to Brands is available direct from the author at: irisandtedreading@gmail.com, 01460 63904 £8.50 (please note, the Royal Mail requires a significant part of this sum for the postage)

Another Chequered Passed

In May, Jim Poole passed away following illness. For many years, in the seventies, eighties and beyond, he was a successful hillclimber and had a respectable number of FTD awards to his credit. Jim favoured British big twins that he prepared to a very high standard. In later years, he returned to the tracks, but now it was sprinting in some of the Torque Motorsports events and further success proved he had lost none of his skills.

Jim's son Glyn has followed in his father's wheeltracks with considerable success. TSM sends condolences to all the family and friends.

Brighton – And On!

The closure of Madeira Drive to all vehicle traffic certainly became a contentious issue with around 3,000 people signing the petition to make the closure permanent, while 10,000 wanted vehicle access restored. It seems the level of interest precipitated an earlier decision from the City Council than originally mooted and the result was the road will eventually be opened once more.

However, with the ongoing social distancing requirements it is regarded as impossible to hold the Speed Trials this year, so 4 September, 2021 is the new date for your diary.

The Ace Cafe Brighton Burn-Up (Rockers Reunion) scheduled for 6 September (backto-back with the Speed Trials) has also been cancelled. A further casualty is Brightona, the custom-themed event that was down for 27 September, but is trying to establish a date in April next year .

Sample pages from 'Down to Brands' – those black and white days