The Sporting
T S I L C Y C R O T MO
..published monthly
orting motorcycling
News for social and sp
April 2021
Enduro, Grasstrack, Motocross, Road Racing, Speedway, Sprinting and Trials news
CONTAINS OFFICIAL EVENT ENTRY FORMS
The Sporting
MOTORCYCLIST
is published monthly and is available through your Clubs or by direct subscription
Editor
(ACU Southern Centre) John Bramall
16 Gifford Close, Fareham, Hampshire, PO15 6PJ T: 01329 823282 E: johnbramall246@btinternet.com
Editor
(ACU South Midland Centre) Bob Twigg
2 Harwood Close, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL8 7SN E: bobtwigg@ntlworld.com
Editor & Advertising and Distribution
(ACU South Eastern Centre) Andy Wood 30 Westways, Edenbridge, Kent TN8 6AA Tel/Fax 01732 865380
E: anmarprintingservices@gmail.com
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Anmar Printing Services, Edenbridge, Kent
APRIL 2021 VOL. 21 ISSUE 4 PUBLISHED ON THE 1ST OF EACH MONTH
All material for TSM should reach the editor by the tenth day of the month preceding publication.
Cover Photo: Jake Pope and Harriet Shore at the Jack Thompson Trial
FROM THE EDITOR'S CHAIR n By Bob Twigg
Events beckon! It looks like we may be getting back to our sport at last. I'm sure the motocrossers, the enduro folk, trials riders and the grass and road racers are all itching to get going again. It is a shame that there has been some illegal practising during the lockdown. A club I belonged to in the 50's ,60's and 70's lost our ground ( that we only used once a year) because of unofficial riding. When you are young it is a big temptation to ride anywhere you think looks good , but we all know that it is a stupid thing to do. These days you might lose your bike if the police and environmentalists catch you. The land our club uses today has several footpaths that are used regularly by dog walkers and the like. Recently they put in a complaint to the owner, who is a lifelong motorcyclist, saying "this is ancient woodland and there should be no events there". Things are better now as a local club has run charity events there, donating five figure sums to various charities. The landowner gets fed up when he can't do as he wants with his own land, I do know all about "freedom to roam" and all that! You can't please all the people all of the time. When we do get back to riding again I think there will be some "rusty riders", but I know we are all keen to start "holding the bars" again. By the way, be nice to the organisers , it is hard to put on events with the present and future restrictions. PS. With the electric bike "thing" coming on we must hope that we will still be able to ride our "petrol driven monsters" for a lot longer, what will happen to the Pre 65 scene? Andy Wood writes… The launch of the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) early last month gives UK motorcyclists the opportunity to gain additional power in Government and Parliament. The formation of NMC brings together the leading UK national motorcycle rider representative organisations, founding members are the Auto Cycle Union, the British Motorcyclists Federation, IAM RoadSmart, the Motorcycle Action Group and the Trail Riders Fellowship. There is a need for a combined voice for the motorcyclists on significant issues of common concern providing additional campaigning power to the current work of individual motorcycling organisations. Major issues of concern to motorcycle riders include among other matters, government transport policy, safety and licensing policy, access issues for motorcyclists, both urban and rural, plus regulatory matters affecting motorcycle sport.
Photo by: Alan Turner
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Centres Officials
O N T E NTS
Chairmen South Eastern: Steve Moore Tel: 01483 486320
Trials Sidecar Championship Dates
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Wycombe and District MCC Bill Beeson Charity Trial
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ACU Trials Championship Change of Date 5 Bantasia 1: Behind Closed Doors Press Release 6 Witley Enduro
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Southern: Bob Hewson Tel: 023 9259 2919
Secretaries South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk South Midland: Terry Golds Tel: 01582 455714 Mobile: 07747 855264 21 Buckingham Drive, Stopsley, Luton, Beds, LU2 9RA email: terrylgolds@ntlworld.com Southern: Chris Fletcher Tel: 01256 242214 1 Fairclose, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7AN email: chris-fletcher@tiscali.co.uk
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Permit Secretaries
Waltham Chase News Update
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South Eastern: ACU Main Office Tel: 01788 566400 admin@acu.org.uk
And That Was Then
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South Midland: Ian Reynolds Tel: 0208 9079856 Mobile: 07803766314 186 Regal Way, Harrow Middlesex, HA3 0SQ email: reynolds.russell@virgin.net
Ted Smith (1932 - 2021)
Trials of an Idiot – A Beginners Story 17 Kent Speedway Heading Toward the Restart 19 My Affinity with Dews Farm
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Barnet and District MCC
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Ladies Speedway Day Latest News 28 Some Trials "Tricks"
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Southern: Claire Ballard Tel: 0118 343 3346 26 Droxford Crescent, Tadley, Hampshire, RG26 3BA email: ballardclaire@hotmail.com
Benevolent Fund Representatives South Midland: Dave Porter Tel: 01582 651189 22 Belper Road, Luton, Beds, LU4 8RG Southern: Terry Graves Tel: 02380 643503 13 Locksley Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO50 5DX South Eastern: Hazel Collins Tel: 01189 421534 14 Brookside, Calcot, West Berks, RG31 7PJ
Rights of Way Officers South Eastern (Sussex): Bevis Billingham Tel: 01243 585128 182 Elmer Road, Middleton on Sea, Bognor Regis, PO22 6JA South Eastern (Kent): Steve Neville Tel: 01797 458939 26 Donsmead Drive, Northiam, TN31 6EQ
Regulations Trials
Sittingbourne, 25th April Waltham Chase, 9th May The Star Group, 9th May Double Five Kent, 25th April Twickenham, 16th May
Grasstrack
Frittenden, 30th May Entry Form
South Midland: Chris Hurworth Tel: 01494 446198 23 Cambridge Crescent, Totteridge, High Wycombe, HP13 7NE 8 14 20 20 24 24 9, 25
Southern: Martin Down Tel: 01264 365084 18 Barcelona Close, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 1JQ. email: martin.down1@gmail.com
Trials Sidecar Championship Dates The ACU have published the dates for this years Sidecar Championship Events The Normandy date has now been Confirmed as Sunday 15th August. Making it a double header in the South East with overnight camping (Saturday) available at Sethern, Dunsfold. 30th May - BSSA - Tuck/Cross 6th June - Mansfield Maun 20th June - Congleton M.C. 14th August - Owls M.C. 15th August- Normandy MCC 29th August - Yeadon & Guisley Mel Harrison Trial 2nd October - West of England 3rd October - West of England BSSA will run a Non Championship Event (Reg Lewis Trial) on the 31st May.
Wycombe and District MCC Bill Beeson Charity Trial The trial is on 25th April at Great Wood near Hambledon, Bucks and is open to all adult classes plus youth A, B & C. Entries will be restricted to 50 riders and must be made online on the ACU website. Entries will not open
before Tuesday 6th April and will close .on 20th April or when full. The trial will be run under the ACU Covid rules and there will be no observers or Spectators.
ACU Trials Championship Change of Date Latest Trials News our 1st May National now off Round one of the ACU Trial GB series will now run on Sunday 23 May 2021 9.30am start at the Hookwood Trials Centre, KT24 6EA.
Take part in discussions about motorsport in your centre and post reports for publication. facebook.com/thesportingmotorcyclist 5
Bantasia 1: Behind Closed Doors Press Release
Q By Gareth Bemister
Grasstrack Banter Promotions, a new Grasstrack racing promotion, are presenting a "behind closed doors" race meeting on Sunday 18th April, and are even providing a day-long live stream so that racing fans can join in with the action. Bantasia 1 looks to be a tremendous start to the 2021 season for both riders at the venue and spectators watching from home. The meeting will take place at Whaddon Farm, Owslebury, Hampshire and action is set to begin at 12.30pm. A bumper programme of races has been planned, giving almost all grasstrack classes a chance to stretch their legs. "We have been absolutely gobsmacked by the level of support from the riders for this event," says GB Promotions Chairman Gareth Bemister, "We wanted to provide riders with a place to race their bikes despite still being in Step Two of the lockdown exit roadmap. So we opened up entries and the riders did not disappoint." The riders have taken advantage of the club's revolutionary new online entry system whereby racers have been able to join the club, enter the meeting and even purchase branded merchandise via a club shop. The 500cc Solo class is led by multi-European Champion and reigning British Masters champion James Shanes. He will lock horns with a plethora of talented two-wheel grassers on the day, many of whom were racing in the European Championships in 2019. One rider of which is Newcastle Diamonds and Sheffield Tigers new signing James Wright. The former Premier League Riders' Champion is set to compete on Sundays on the shale for the Diamonds, but will be able to get one appearance on the grass in before switching his attention to the cinders. Former European rostrum sitter and Eastbourne Eagles star Edward Kennett comes to the tapes for the first time since 2019. Kennett, who has been a revelation on the grass in the last three seasons, will surely begin as a meeting favourite. From Denmark, Jacob Bukhave continues his fresh interest in Grasstracking by appearing at 6
Bantasia 1. Stephen Green and Charley Powell will come to the tapes having experienced European racing in recent years. Newcomers to the 500cc Solo class, teenagers Jake Mulford and Chad Wirtzfeld look set to light up the sport in the coming years. They will relish the challenge that Bantasia 1 provides and it will be a great yardstick for the emerging youngsters. The 1000cc sidecar class boasts an equally impressive lineup, with multi-British Masters champion Mark Cossar, along with passenger Gareth Williams, leading the charge. But they will be in great company with two former British Masters champions and superstars of threewheeled racing Paul Whitelam (passengered by Richard Webb) and Rob Wilson (passengered by Terry Saunters) competing in an 18 strong lineup of "big chairs". Perhaps one class potentially looking like show-stealers are the 500cc sidecars. MultiBritish and former European Champions Josh Goodwin/Liam Brown are set to do battle with their old adversaries Mitch Godden/Paul Smith, with young crews James Hartley/Shay MInihane and Shaun Hughes/Louis Bennett hoping to
upset the form book. This could be the class to watch. As well as the three main classes, Bantasia 1 will feature 250cc, 350cc solos, GT140 Solos and Upright solos, all of which are boasting strong lineups of British champions both past and present. The Youth classes look incredibly strong, with ten riders in both the Juniors and Inters. World Champion Max Perry will take his first bow in the 250cc Intermediate class, whilst 4x British Champion Cooper Rushen clashes with reigning British Cadet Champion Archie Rolph, runner up Oliver Bovingdon and flying youngster George Colvin in a tough looking Junior class. The old and new sidecars will also feature,
headed by the near unbeatable Mark Courtney and Leon Torres. This is the affordable sidecar class, using air-cooled 500cc engines in old right hand sidecar frames. The live stream, being provided by Blu Monkey Media, will be available via Grasstrack Banter Promotion's website www. grasstrackbanter.com or via Grasstrack Banter on Facebook. It is very straightforward to purchase and will be available all day during the event and will still be available after the event. The whole event will cost just £5.00. As the title "Bantasia 1" suggests, the promotion are hoping that this is the start of series of meetings being promoted, with plans for Bantasia 2 already being discussed.
Witley Enduro
By special permission of His Lordship Viscount Lymington to Witley and District Motor Cycle Club Est. 1924. Supported by Michelin/EnduroTyres. The entries for this brand new event on Sunday 25th April 2021, will open at 0800 on Monday 29th March at www.ride-acu.uk With entries limited to 80, priority will be given to SEEC regular riders as this will be Round One of the 2021 SEEC Championship. To secure an entry, you must enter as soon as entries open. Your entry will be held in the system until the event is full (150 entrants). A blind ballot will then take place with SEEC regulars given first refusal (defined as point scoring in the SEEC over the past three years). The successful 80 riders will then be approved, and unsuccessful riders refunded, or placed on the reserve list. No late entries will be accepted and the organisers decision on acceptance or refusal of entry is final. We trust riders will appreciate the difficult situation the current
circumstances place us in. Don't forget to set your alarms for 0800 on Monday 29th March and enter at www.ride-acu.uk!.
Notice to all clubs, please send us details of your future events this year. Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
Contributions in this issue: Alan Turner, John Bramall, Eddie Bellars, Bob Brown, Bob Twigg, Audrey Sparkes, Jim Connor, Nigel Cooper, Mike Wiseman, Alan Critcher, Neil Emmott Would you like to contribute? Please send to the editor, contact details on page 3.
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days of live commentaries, I thought the following short summary of Graham's career, who I remember from the days of Radio Commentaries, (over to you Murray) would be interesting, and add balance to what was for several years a partnership. Graham Walker was a very successful motor cycle racer in his own right. He was a motor cycle despatch rider in the First World War, where he incurred a leg injury which left him needing to ride a motorcycle with a modified Brake pedal. Despite this, he had a successful racing career with Rudge, Sunbeam, and Norton. Riding a 493 Sunbeam he was a member of the victorious British International Trophy Team at the ISDT held at Buxton in 1926, and Ambleside in 1927, and continued in the Silver Vase Team in 1928 at Harrogate, and 1932 at Merano in Italy. Road Racing success included the Ulster GP on a Rudge Ulster in 1928.
Walker Senior also won the 350 Class at the 1931 North West 2029, again on a Rudge. He rode many times at the IoM TT, winning the Lightweight (250) Class in 1931. He also became President of the TT Riders Association. In 1935, after his motorcycle career had finished he was employed by the BBC for motorcycle racing events on TV and Radio. From 1949 onwards, Graham Walker was partnered on the BBC's motorcycle commentaries by his son Murray. Life long enthusiasts such as myself can well remember this Father and Son Team providing radio commentaries from such places at Aintree and Oulton Park, Silvberstone, and possibly also Crystal Palace. Classic Motor Cycle Club Racing Club (CMRC) Among the many difficulties caused by Covid is uncertainty caused by changing situations, especially changes to dates. CMRC are no exception to this,
Ladies Speedway Day Latest News
Q By Alan Critcher
Further to discussions with Iwade Speedway Club, it has been decided to re-arrange the Ladies Day for 18th September 2021.(Originally planned for 10th July 2021). We can only hope that all restrictions in relation to Covid will have been lifted by then & we can enjoy this great Riding & Social Event. It was considered that the original date was just too close to the "easing of social distancing
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so for reasons of clarity, here is the current list of dates for 2021, as follows: May 8/9 Mallory Park June 12/13 Pembrey July 3/4 Cadwell Park August 21/22 Castle Combe Sept 4/5 Anglesey Oct 2/3 Croft Miscellaneous In common with many Clubs, the Britsh Two Stroke has been very quiet lately, although things possibly are stirring, with a tentative plan to run the West Surrey event on Sunday 30 May. More information to follow. At Brooklands too things are quiet, there are plans for a bikes day later in the year, again to be confirmed. Ireland too is truncated, anything possible still to be confirmed. So far as the Isle of Man goes there are several cancellations of events there, so it might be Plan B here too.
rules" therefore this gives us a chance to evaluate the situation in a few months time, when we can give a final confirmation that the Event can go ahead. As at the present time, Iwade are unable to confirm if their Anniversary Speedway Meeting will go ahead in September, on the same weekend as Ladies Day. It will definitely not be held on Sunday 11th July as originally planned.
Some Trials "Tricks"
Q By Bob Twigg
Here is a light hearted view 1) The baulk - If your mate is having a bad ride through a section, step out in front of him at an opportune moment . He can then claim a baulk, he can then have another go at the hazard. It doesn't always work! 2) Distract the observer Again with you and your mates, keep the observer occupied looking at the scores etc.. While someone moves rocks,or builds a "kicker" before a step. 3) The "dab" trick I saw a club team once watching at a section where a team member footed all the way through, but his mates called out "a good dab mate". You might get an earful after that one! 4) The trip If there is a dodgy loose rock try to trip over it when you are inspecting the section so that it moves and make the section easier. It helps if the observer is distracted while you do it but it makes the hazard easier for the rest of the entry (which is not always what you would want)! 5) Creeping! Always talk to the observer when you arrive at a section. "nice weather for this time of the year "etc.. It is also beneficial to carry some sweets, mints of something. (Dodgy bit here nowadays). If the observer is female complement her on her woolly hat or shapeless duffle coat even if she doesn't look like one of the girls from love island! Another good ploy is to ask advice about the choice of line or what gear to use. Observers may not know about this sort of thing but it makes them feel wanted and if you have chatted subsequent ride. 6) No stop trials - Always keep waving your
FOR SALE
legs when you have stopped. In case you get moving again, the official might get "generous". 7) The audience Some riders are really lifted by this bit of "gamesmanship," asking each other (in loud voices) before the assembled gallery what gear to use. If one rider fails the section the other will be nearby and will say "that clutch trouble again" or "carb jet blocked" or some other excuse. Match of the day is a good one, seen quite a lot at schoolboy trials. When a rider falls off he rolls on the ground for quarter of an hour or lays motionless. This usually invokes sympathy from the audience one of whom may retrieve the machine from a tricky situation. This may also get you an audition for the Shakespeare company alongside football players and the like. 8) Hanging around The "aces" are good at this, as they always wait for the section to become easier. The also rans get on with it to get to the pub but aces with works contracts etc, walk up and down the section moving rocks etc, or waiting for the ordinary riders to take the slime to find a gear! Helping riders who stop wastes time and talking to the observer might be time consuming, also he might demand you attempt the section if you can't keep him interested, the aces don't often do this one. 9) Different lines It's always worth looking for these, but don't forget to ask the observer before you break off branches to get a better line. If you ride across his lunch box he might become annoyed. I hasten to add that I have never done any of these nefarious tricks! Please don't try them out when I am observing.
Electric Bicycle
£600, 26 inch wheels, 21 gears, 36v 250watt motor. 36v 8.8ah lithium ion battery, that holds charge well even when not used regularly. Everything works as it should, with new tyres and good brake pads. Derek Baker 07748997106 29
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