Where legends live on..

Welcome to Issue 145 of Classic Racer

The once neatly trimmed, prize winning, garden has reverted back to the wild and my neighbours' frowns have got deeper; almost as deep as when I start the G50 up in the drive on a Sunday morning.

Am I complaining? You bet I’m not! My diary over the last few weeks looks like my schoolboy dream. A week in the Isle of Man for TT practice was cut short to rush across the North Sea to Spa Francorchamps for Bikers’ Classics.

Few experiences on a motorcycle equal doing Eau Rouge as fast as the old heart will allow. Except maybe sharing a changing room at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with Giacomo Agostini, John Surtees and Kevin Schwantz! Each time I’ve told the story of the Goodwood weekend to friends and boy have I told it a few times, one word keeps reappearing – surreal.

From Goodwood we headed for Mallory Park for the Festival of 1000 Bikes and what a fun filled, sun drenched, weekend that was. With the Wheeler camper barely cooled down we travelled west for the Pageant of Power in the stunning grounds of Cholmondeley Castle, and although the weather broke had a great time on the challenging course.

And in case you are wondering, yes Jeff did get the Ducati TT2 finished in time for Spa, where it ran well until the big parade, when it had a little Latin strop. Dr Jeff had it sorted in two days though and at Goodwood and Mallory it ran like a dream. In fact I could almost remember how to ride it properly by the Past Masters’ parade.

Next it’s off to Mona’s Isle again for the Manx Grand Prix Festival followed by another North Sea crossing for a ride at the Assen Centennial. Dream job? You bet!

Enjoy this packed issue.

Malc Wheeler
Editor