Classic Racer

Commentator Maurice Mawdsley retires

by

Sam Hewitt

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12th September 2017

Long-time anchorman of the race commentaries at the Southern 100 International Road Races, Maurice Mawdsley, has decided to hang-up his microphone, having been ‘the voice of the friendly races’ for 28 years. Maurice took up the hot seat from Peter Kneale in 1988, the year the Pre-TT Classic Races were first run, with the Steam…
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Mallory’s brilliant Bonanza

by

Sam Hewitt

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5th September 2017

With all the elements for a great weekend of motorcycling nostalgia, the sun-kissed Mallory Bonanza ticked all the boxes for the large crowd of enthusiasts that made the journey to the friendly Midlands track. Saturday saw the quieter road machines on track, and there was no shortage of people wanting to enjoy the short, but…
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My memory of Mike Hailwood

by

Sam Hewitt

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5th September 2017

Dear CR A sunny morning practice at a very full Braddan Bridge in 1967, it was just like a race day, with everyone waiting for Mike and the Honda. Then that fantastic howl came from Quarter Bridge to Braddan, in round the left-hander into the dip and everyone stood up to look at their…
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Mechanical Marvel – Moto Guzzi’s 500 V8

by

Sam Hewitt

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5th September 2017

Moto Guzzi built a total of six complete 500cc V8 motorcycles, and while these differed slightly in design, they all had the same incredibly compact dry-sump water-cooled engine architecture, measuring 44 x 41mm for a capacity of 498.73cc (interestingly, Honda adopted the same dimensions for its 250 four the following decade). The two banks of…
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Latest issue

by

Sam Hewitt

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4th September 2017

006 From the Classic Racer archive Two great moments from racing’s past that typify what we’re about. Both iconic moments captured by two of the world’s best motorcycle racing photographers. Each image is a snapshot of a much bigger story that shaped the racing world to come. 010 Readers Write Another instalment of your thoughts…
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Excited (and excitable)

by

Sam Hewitt

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31st August 2017

The past few weeks have seen me attend several meetings with some major players in the racing world . You may be surprised to hear not much of what was discussed centred around modern, flashy racing. What was the hot topic of conversation was how ‘modern’ classic racing could be used more and expanded…
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Thanks to generous IOMSPC travellers

by

Sam Hewitt

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31st August 2017

Collections on board sailings to the Isle of Man during the 2017 TT Festival raised a record £19,465 for the Rob Vine Fund. Since the Steam Packet Company first instigated the collection, a total in excess of £255,000 has been donated to the fund, which was established in memory of Rob Vine, a competitor who…
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Jim Redman Assen 1964. The best ever

by

Sam Hewitt

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31st August 2017

Agostini – 15 times world champion and racing on public roads? Mike Hailwood – able to win anything, in any conditions and against any opposition? Rossi – beating the toughest racers on the planet and on equal machinery must be the greatest of the modern era – but Vale has never won a TT? But…
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Honda “6” RC165 Isle of Man Classic TT, August 2017

by

Sam Hewitt

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9th August 2017

The extended rebuild of Team Obsolete’s 1964 Honda RC 165 250cc six cylinder Grand Prix racing motorcycle is finally complete and will return to the Isle of Man for the 2017 Classic TT to take part in the Jurby Festival as well as the “Lap of Honour” on the fabled 37 mile mountain circuit. The…
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The 145mph TZ750 Flat Tracker: Banned but not Forgotten

by

Sam Hewitt

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7th July 2017

Sideways scrubbing. Looking for traction. Riding what is one of the nastiest machines ever made. There’s a reason why many in the racing world love and fear these things. Not least of all because of how they bite. And how often they can. Words: Terry Stevenson Photography: Kenny Roberts, Dan Mahoney archives, Terry Stevenson …
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