Sam Hewitt

  • Alexander James ‘Jim’ Harvey

    Alexander James ‘Jim’ Harvey

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    Jim Harvey, born April 22, 1948, started racing in 1968. By 1970, he’d started riding for Tom Kirby, firstly entered on his own Norton Dominator, then on the Kirby Metisse G50 and 7R machines. Jim won the clubman’s championship in 1970, riding his 500cc Norton Dominator and the Kirby Metisse G50. He then went on…

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  • CRMC Awards Dinner: December 5 2015

    CRMC Awards Dinner: December 5 2015

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    The Daventry Court Hotel was sold out for the CRMC’s annual awards and dinner/dance, with Guest of Honour Jim Redman presenting the prizes and recounting anecdotes and tales from his incredible racing life. Words: Graham Lawlor Photographs: Russell Lee Unfortunately, neither George Hogton-Rusling nor Ian Ashley/Roy Cunningham could be present to receive their respective awards…

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  • Unique outfit offer

    Unique outfit offer

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    Long-time supporter of all things sidecar and classic racing in general, Dave Gristwood is offering an outfit to anyone who would like to start classic sidecar racing. Dave is always pretty easy to find in the paddock, as he drives a full-size articulated lorry to every meeting and happily provides all mannerof assistance to anyone…

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  • from the archive: Whit’s Wisdom at Newark – January 9-10

    from the archive: Whit’s Wisdom at Newark – January 9-10

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    With record crowds, for what is now the established start to the classic year, James kept the large audience around the stage spellbound with tales from his racing days. He also shared his natural enthusiasm for classic motorcycles, admitting when questioned by MC Steve Plater, to owning a large stable of machines in various stages…

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  • Flashback: Howard R Davies' story

    Flashback: Howard R Davies' story

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    Howard R Davies was born in 1895 and he quickly showed a love of life and excitement, riding horses and hunting as a child. However, racing motorcycles was what he wanted to do. Davies worked for AJS and Sunbeam, competing in both the ISDT (International Six Days Trial) and the TT, but he constantly suffered…

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  • Hislop vs Foggy: Best battle in TT history?

    Hislop vs Foggy: Best battle in TT history?

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    Hislop got the Norton over the line in 1st position. Arguably the Norton Rotary racer’s finest hour – Steve Hislop winning the 1992 Senior TT. It has gone down as one of the most famous battles the Island has seen, Hislop on his ABUS-backed Rotary and Carl Fogarty on his Yamaha Loctite OW01. Neither rider was…

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  • Gawne not forgotten as Island celebrates marshalling

    Gawne not forgotten as Island celebrates marshalling

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    The cancellation of this year’s racing on the Isle of Man not only means fans from around the world are missing their ‘fix’ of one of sport’s greatest shows, but also it now means farewell to one of the event’s ‘fixtures’ for nearly 60 years. Marshals are among the unsung heroes of any TT, but…

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  • from the archive: The Pope Special – Small but perfectly formed

    from the archive: The Pope Special – Small but perfectly formed

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    Ray Palmer has had a go at various riding disciplines. Since retirement, he has acquired a collection of 50cc race bikes, but the Pope Special, for close personal reasons, is a particular favourite. Alan Turner tells the story. Words: Alan Turner Photographs: Alan Turner and Ray Palmer Collection Nowadays, the sport of 50cc racing is…

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  • Younger bikes allowed to parade with the CRMC

    Younger bikes allowed to parade with the CRMC

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    The CRMC will now consider applications for ‘Parade Only’ registrations for machines manufactured before December 31, 1994. Previously, the youngest bikes allowed to parade were those from before the end of December 1986. At a typical two-day weekend meeting, riders would have four parades, each lasting about 15 minutes. No special licence is required, just…

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  • From the archive: A Flying Finn in France – Changing Times

    From the archive: A Flying Finn in France – Changing Times

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    After Chas Mortimer gave Yamaha its first 500cc class win at the last Grand Prix of 1972, riding a 350 twin, the 1973 season marked a new dawn for the Japanese factory with its impressive water-cooled 0W20 in-line-four. Reigning 250cc World Champion Jarno Saarinen would spearhead the factory assault. Yamaha team manager Rodney Gould and…

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