It would have been James Hunt’s 75th birthday yesterday (29th). However he sadly died back in ‘93 aged 45. Along with the likes of Barry Sheene and, as here on this Honda 750, Mike Hailwood, he epitomized the British racer of the 70’s. Photo taken at Brands Hatch.
Motorcycle racer, engineer and innovator Howard R Davies sits proudly on his sleek powerful 350cc machine. HRD went on to become Vincent and the rest is history.
– these were the giant killers that took on the world Motorcycle Grand Prix races of the early seventies.
-an art piece at the Figge Art Museum in Davenport IA included this video of Leslie Porterfield filmed during her 232.522 mph record across the Bonneville Salt Flats.
– a few photos have been released showing Moto enduro ace Ricky Carmichael taking a prototype of the new 1200 Tiger through its paces. “This thing is sweet!” Is champ Ricky’s first impressions.
One of the greats who passed away yesterday. Winning numerous races in his long career he was considered one of the greatest all-rounders. A two-time AMA Grand National Champion (1963 and ’71) Mann was the first person to win all five disciplines: road racing, short track, TT, quarter-mile and mile flat track. The photo is of him at a blistering pace aboard a BSA Rocket 3. Another photo below shows the triple line up at the Daytona 200 in ‘71 with Don Emde and Mike Hailwood to his far right and immediate right respectively. Mann to first place in that historic race.
– Top rated TT racer from the Merseyside region, Geoff had multiple wins road racing in the mid C20th. Here’s a photo at the ‘52 Assen GP where he took victory on this 350 Norton featherbed machine. Geoff would have been 98 today.
– Blueberry speedwagon. Sharpened tool for knife edge track performance.
– heavily insulated Russian biker is aptly garbed to rip across an iced-up lake . Spike clad tires will maintain traction to put down the tremendous torque offered by the big 2400cc Triumph Rocket engine.
– unpacking a 1960 sled once owned by racer Buck Smith. Acquired by Ace Classics in Lewisham southeast London. You can still see the grit and dust from the Big Bear SoCal arid hinterland.
Even a Century ago they were whirling breakneck around a circuit in a death defying manner. Just like 2020 huh? We’ll let’s keep the attitude rubber side down for Twenty One!
Honda’s racing vee twin was team Red’s attempt to show Ducati how to beat ‘em at their own game in the Superbike World Championship. Of course a cat on board adds further coolness to the proceedings.
TRIBUTE TO STEVE MCQUEEN
March 24, 1930 – November 7, 1980
geordiebiker.com 