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.