Week Ten: How's Life in Your Sector

Thought for the Week

Those of us who grew up in the 1960’s were spared the anxiety of wartime, but we did face the Cold War and the ever present threat of vaporisation. However, we were OK as we had the knowledge to build a shelter under the Dining-room table.....But hang on a moment that seemed to give even less protection than my Dad had in his WW2 Anderson Shelter!

The world has moved on  to a new Century and just when I thought its safe to go outside we have been faced with an invisible viral enemy and a Lockdown. 

Take a look at this somewhat prophetic post-apocalyptic sketch from Mitchell and Web notice anything familiar?

Whats Next

With the weather getting better, thoughts of getting back to Brooklands are ever present. However, the Museum remains closed and there are not likely to be any events for some time yet. 

So, its time to start thinking about what a virtual Motorcycle Show might look like. I was grateful for the quick turn-round of comments from members of the team and there is still time to let me know your ideas and I am particularly keen to learn of any people that could contribute a video guide to their bike or even just a message of support. My latest advice is that it would be possible to live stream the event for real-time interaction with viewers via social media and this could also be viewed after the event. I will try and have a Publicity Trailer that people can share for next week or week of 11 June.

2013 At Brooklands

By the state of my hard-drive, 2013 seemed to be a busy year. I seemed to be catching anything that moved.

I have picked out the Christmas Dinner Roundup film and a teaser film of Ton Up Day. I think I will save the full 13 minute version with footage of every bike fired up on the “Sound Stage” for the Virtual Event.

Montlhery

I also have some images and a bit of film from what I believe is the 2013 trip to Montlhery which features John Bottomley on the Wicksteed Triumph.

The theme for the rest of this weeks blog is bike building.

Zenith Bradshaw 2013

The following film was put together with clips of The Zenith Bradshaw recorded on a beautiful November morning at the Museum.  

Allen Millyard

Just about the last event I attended before the Lockdown was a talk given to the Brooklands VMCC Section by Allen Millyard. He talked us through the build of his Japanese Multi-cylinder projects and ended with his Vellocette V twin. Over the next few weeks I will post his films of his latest multi-cylinder Kawasaki Z1 Super Six project. I just love his laid back can do attitude. It almost got me thinking it was easy!

Part 1 The Crankshaft

Part 2  Sprocket Cover and Crankcase modifications

Board Track Racer Build

Now this is what I would love to be doing during lockdown. Its good to see that there is a wealth of young talented people out there to keep motorcycling history alive. However, I am not sure if there will be any fuel to run them!

Manufacturing a pioneer Rover imperial motorcycle (Silent)

This is a wonderful film. I could watch it over and over. It shows the building of the bike from sand casting the cylinder right through to assembly and test ride.

Running a 1912 Excelsior Engine

Next week: More from 2013 at Brooklands and Allen Millyard.

Week Nine: Really Sorry Bro

Thought for the Week

As we move cautiously towards an easing of the lockdown, there are murmurings about Motorcycles, and how rides and events should be dealt with. However, one thing is certain; we are all missing motorcycle interactive experiences. Perry contacted me the other day reminiscing about the programme Kick Start on TV. It was a gentle little competition based on what I think they were calling Urban Trials using cars pallets and skips etc, commentated on by Peter Purves. The question from Perry was why don’t we have anything like that on TV anymore. My flippant answer was, “Well its called YOUTUBE”. 

This got me thinking about a clip I recorded direct from the TV last year. It was a crazy called Romaniacs Extreme Trial. The first few seconds feature a classic piece of understated apology by one of the contestants between sections. Sorry its not very clear and contains some flickering images as its filmed directly from the TV.

A Look Back at Scrambles

This week we start with a delve into the deep past, well mine anyway. In the 1970s we used to go to an annual scramble held in Esher. It only ran for two or three years. It was held on a piece of land marked on the map below. 

For those who know the area the entrance is just in Mill Lane on the left going north from Esher before the railway bridge and has two large ornate pillars and iron? Gates. I don’t know who it was organised by and wonder if any-one else remembers it. Anyway I have found some very dark images one of the events. There had been heavy rain and it was mayhem. First lap was difficult enough for the riders, but the following laps were just about impossible. I got some pics from the start and close to what was a small stream. Very dark slides, but I have played with them bit to give you a better idea.

The following year was bright and sunny and below is my record of that visit.

Keeping with the nostalgic theme we go scrambling with this cinema short from the 1960s featuring Greeves and some great period scramble action.

During the week I have been catching up with some of the other excellent Lockdown offerings from Brooklands. I have mentioned Brooklands Members TV before, but its well worth a visit. In the film below our very own John Bottomley talks about his 1972 Yamaha. in Spinning Wheels. Several talks and Lockdown interviews are also available exclusively to Brooklands Members. I have to warn you to keep aside a few hours as you will get side-tracked with the other excellent on BMtv. I will bring you some more films over the next few weeks.

You can access this very interesting Elsbeth Beard Brooklands Members Talk by clicking the blue box below to view on Vimeo.

Elspeth Beard - Round the World Motorcyclist. from BM.tv on Vimeo.

For those interested in some of the lesser known items from the Archives, the Museum have done a series of shorts. Here is the first “Postcard from Brooklands. The others can be accessed via the Brooklandswebsite.

BSA Goldstar Special

And now its Goldstars all the way as we celebrate this iconic Brand, which as we all know grew out of Wal Handley’s run in 1937 at Brooklands on his Empire Star that earned him that coveted Brooklands Gold Star for reaching 107.57 mph in 1937.

As a tribute to WH, we visit the Goldstar Day at Brooklands in 2012. Sorry about the quality of the video content. This is all cutting room floor stuff.

Next is a very well made film and excellent music featuring Chris, Fred and Bill. I think it sums up what we are all missing during this lockdown.

To end this week we have something featuring four wheels. For those of you familiar with the F1 and EPrix eSports racing on TV here is one from 1937 on the Campbell Circuit. You won’t see George Russell in this one!

See you next week for a look at more from Brooklands including some Thursday Playpen action.

Week Eight: Virtual is the New Normal

Thought for the Week

It seems that during this extraordinary time, you can stick virtual in front of any word to make it a thing. Last week I told you about a Virtual Garage tour and this week I have pictures of Virtual VE Day. However, I have a few words of warning about Virtual Track Days, as they can bite you back!

Sammy Miller's Museum

2011 was slim pickings as far as Brooklands was concerned, but in Feb I paid my first visit to Sammy Millers. Here is a selection of bikes from the collection. Sammy has recently expanded the building housing his collection and must therefore be keen to get back to help pay the bills. However, I think that Sammy Miller’s does seem to represent very good value for money, and if you are a member of the British Motorcycle Charitable Trust (BMCT) its free. You could do Sammy Miller and Beaulieu all in one hit for free or if you are counting BMCT Membership £20, yes just £20 per year. Well worth a membership after this madness is over.  Visit the BMCT Website 

Below are some images of some bikes of note. This FN has an interesting leading fork suspension setup.

A 1923 Martinsyde Newman. This bike from the Woking based marque is looking looking a little more concourse than ours at Brooklands. Martinsyde were manufactures of early aircraft at Brooklands.

A 1947 Nimbus. I first saw one of these in a car park in Oslo. It was red and Grey and I thought it must be some sort of Custom Bike. Based in Denmark the Fisker Neilsen Company made bikes between 1919 to 1960. You still see them occasionally, but I guess there are a few more about in Scandinavia. Interesting that Sammy has chosen black as I think the two tone red may have been the more common colour.

  

A very nice very original Quadrant from 1898. Others may be able to comment more on this bike, but I guess the De Dion Bouton engine was an off the shelf model which has been shoehorned in what appears to be a modified ladies bicycle frame with an added cross bar. Gaces Guide confusingly tells me this is a 1.5hp engine motorised in 1900 by Arthur Taylor.  I think this must be some sort of special or prototype hence Sammy's interest. I can't read the display sheet, but if you look at the drive its a chain with the pedal driving some sort of shaft possibly inside the tube. I must get down to Sammy's and investigate further.

We are so used to looking at the Brooklands Grindley its easy to forget about the road versions. This is a very nice looking Model ST1 from 1925. Why do they not command the same interest as Brough Superiors? I think I know the answer which lies in Brough's apitite for self promotion and there are still just about enough about to stimulate insane bidding, whereas the Grindlay's are really quite a rare beast.

No collection of images from Sammy's would be complete without the Porcupine. A future Blog will feature Sammy riding this round his courtyard during a Motorcycle Team visit.

Another Motorcycle made by an aircraft manufacturer. This Verdel from 1912 features a five cylinder 750cc engine in what is essentially a bicycle frame with a single speed and a chain drive. I don't know anything about it, but this bike says speed. (And Scary) after mergers, the company founded the brand Gnome Rhône.

Below is a short 1 minute film of Sammy Miller Running the Verdel

 

Brooklands Auto Italia

The only Brooklands event I have for 2011 was Auto Italia which according to the film date stamp was held in April.

Virtual 75^th anniversary of VE Day

On Friday 8 May and I should have been packing up the AJS to go to RHS Wisley as part of the Brooklands contingent taking part in the VE Day 75 Cavalcade. The Bike was ready, but of course Lockdown prevented the event from taking place. So I was restricted to the front garden and a fly past of a Spitfire from Goodwood which was due to honour several WW2 veterans, one of which lives very close. However, I missed the Spitfire and shared family commemorations via Watsapp.

The most important thing is that we did remember all those who experienced the War and those who sadly did not make it. I watched someone being interviewed about their Wartime experiences contrasted with the current Lockdown. His answer was “it was not as bad as this!”

  

 

Now some absolute gems from the Pathe News Archive

Assembling a bike in 20 Minutes

A lovely little promotional film demonstrating the assembly of a Francis Barnett. Maybe we should try it at Brooklands some day. NO SOUND

Speedsters at Brooklands

First up is a very short clip of a 500cc Scratch race from 1930 won by Burt Denley. Interesting as you get a short comment from Burt at the end. 

It is followed by the opening of Woodley Airodrome in Reading. for those interested in Aircraft there is a good shot of an Auto-gyro.

Joe Wright 150 MPH Record in Cork 1930  NO SOUND

Dangerous enough at Brookland's but on an open road which was sort of closed, does not bear thinking of. In this film we get some good rare shots of Joe Wright without his crash helmet on and an insight into the very special protective clothing. There's the back brace and Kid gloves, the knitted  jumper and a pair of shoes. What could possibly go wrong. Nice shots too of the streamlining to the OEC JAP bike and the modified helmet

Old Crocks At Brooklands

A wonderful film from 1931 showing some pioneer bikes being shown off. There is also some very good action shots on the banking. The camera angle is quite high and fairly smooth.

Brooklands 1936

A short 25 second news reel film of a Brooklands Race. 

Brooklands Open Meeting 1938

The bikes appear after 30 seconds. This is a late film and I think this is the first time I have seen bike racing on the Campbell Circuit. Sadly it mad up of loots of very short clips but its forth freeze framing to get a better idea of whats going on. Looks like its our man Fernihough was the winner as he is seen posing at the end.

Brighton Speed Trials 1932

Brooklands in its heyday was of course the place for records and so it is perhaps not a surprise that this film of the Brighton Speed Trials is called Brooklands by the Sea.  A Cotton gets off to a good start narrowly missing some guy nonchalantly strolling down the track. This is followed by Campbell vs Cobb. Again its good to hear the voice Campbell wearing a Bluebird jumper and obligatory fag.

Next time we move on to my archive of 2012/13 and lots of Thursday action with the Museum Vehicles 

Week Seven: I'm Zooming

Its funny how quickly the new normal kicks in. Last week I had several Video conferences via Zoom and a few weeks ago I had never heard of it. Skype calls just seem so yesterday as we get one click access to all our contacts. Other formats are of course available and I was invited to another meeting with Motorsport magazine via Microsoft Teams last Thursday before later catching up with a couple of the Brooklands Team for a chat and a Zoom Garage Tour.  Who would thought 10 weeks ago that virtual garage tours were even a thing?

 

A Real Racer at work

We will get straight into the films this week with a non-bike related item. This is a car race from the USA which I have picked as it demonstrates a real racer at work. The captions also give an insight into what’s going on in the drivers head. There is a crash at the beginning, but otherwise no drama, just pure race craft, driving skill and of course a decent reliable engine under the bonnet.

 

New Years Day Meet 2010

Here are some images from the New Years Day event. Its become very popular over the last few years, but in 2010 I was still recovering from a late night, so people were beginning to head for home.

New Years Day at Brooklands 2010

The 2010 Spring Gathering

Back to Brooklands and the year is 2010 and another hugely successful event is the Spring Gathering. Watch and enjoy as the early morning mist rises over the museum to reveal some amazing bikes including a few visitors from The National Motorcycle Museum. The NMM Grindley would not start and the word was it was just put away after the Brookland’s run the previous year and turned up without any preparation. There is one thing we have all been taught at the museum. Don’t disappoint the spectators (or the rider!) always make sure the bike is prepared.

 

Double Twelve 2010

In June it was the Double Twelve and I took my Sunbeam out for a run to the museum to be included on the BTM (now Brooklands Member’s) Outreach stand.

The 1935  Model 16 Sunbeam on the Outreach stand

JP lotus Display, Just like the pits back in the day. "Bugger wheres that nut".

The 1935 Sunbeam in front of the Brooklands Memorial

This is a film I made of the action from the 2010 Brooklands Double Twelve.

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010

I have to admit that my trip to FOS in 2010 was driven by my love of F1 racing rather than bikes but I was able to capture a few bike images. I was also able to capture the moment when Adrian Newey  was presented with his very own RB 5 to play with. Just listen to the Williams as it warms up and hits the track. 

Adrian Newey is presented with his own RB5 in front of the Press at 2010 FOS

I made this short film of a young Sam Bird preparing for his run. This was a big deal at the time as it was Williams current car. The run was permitted under FIA Regs as one of their designated a camera (filming) runs.

I still own the F1atHome.com Domain, which is now very appropriate during the lock-down as eSports races are really taking off! 

Goodwood FOS 2010

Goodwood Revival 2010

I was back at Goodwood in September for my first visit to the revival. I saw Stirling Moss in what I think was the last race before the accident at his London flat when he fell into the lift shaft. 

Stirling Moss in what I suspect was his last Race at Goodwood 2010

Stirling Moss still wearing his period crash Helmet at Goodwood in 2010

Also at this meeting was a John Surtees Tribute Parade. I never used this footage as I was constantly diverted by the Hurricanes and Spitfires doing a display overhead. I have now managed to separate them. I hope you enjoy.

I also have a picture of me next to a Rudge on display opposite the pits. I noticed today that asleep in the background is vintage racer Ian Bain. He is someone who will continue to pop up now and again in this blog either racing or with his vintage sand-racer Brough at Brooklands.

Pictured with a Rudge at 2010 Goodwood Revival & Ian Bain Grabbing 40 winks behind

 

VIRTUAL VE Day

We will be having our very own Virtual VE Day at home tomorrow with the AJS on show in the driveway. We get quite a few walkers past the front these days so I hope it will provide a bit of a distraction. Pictures Next Week.