Belgian Grand Prix

BELGIAN GRAND PRIX

HEINZ-J. SCHNEIDER

FINE SPORT AND RESULTS, which played havoc with all predictions, made it a day to remember. The ultra-fast 8.7 mile mountain circuit of Spa seems to be the place of first-ever wins in a classic. Last year Bert Schneider and Fumio Ito made their debuts on the winner's platform and now it was Mike Duff who drove the few Canadians in the game mad with excitement when he took his Yamaha to a clear-cut win over Jim Redman and Alan Shepherd in the 250cc class.

BRYANS UPS THE IRISH

The ten-strong 50cc field cleared the grid in a perfect start, best man away second qualifier Ralph Bryans (Honda), whom Hans Anscheidt (Kreidler) caught in the long, ascending section before the left-hander of Burnenville. Descending to Malmedy. Bryans pushed ahead, followed by the Suzukis of Hugh Anderson and Isao Morishita; this relegated Anscheidt to fourth. Further down, at the fairly acute right-hander of Stavelot. Morishita and Anderson were first. Bryans just ahead of Anscheidt. Up again they went towards the curve of Carrieers, and here Bryans and Anscheidt let loose horses, torque and the right one of their many speeds to nip ahead. Mitsuo Itoh taking fourth spot behind Anderson.

Then the Suzukis must have done it with the brakes, because out of the dead slow hairpin of La Source Anderson they were first. Then Bryans, Morishita and Anscheidt. The short downhill section to the finish and along the pits was just made for Ralph’s revvy Honda, so he held the lead again at L’eau Rouge. And up the hill Anscheidt showed all he knew about gearbox puzzles, catching the right cog to make the power range of the Kriedler fifty fit the conditions. Here his 3x4 gear setup proved superior, and the whitefaired bike earned top honors for mountaineering.

It u'ent on like this, Honda and Kreidler gaining ground uphill, with Anscheidt having the edge, the Suzukis being best on long descents, and Bryans on the short ones. Then came the final downhill road, and that forced the organizers — like in Holland — to find out which anthem was to be played for a young Irishman named Ralph Bryans, who now is third in championship points and looks all set to step up further.

DUFF TAKES 250 FOR YAMAHA

The two-fifties had their race decided in the very first six miles, when Phil Read’s Yamaha seized up, and Jim Redman, who had been in his slipstream, was forced to take to the grass to avoid him. That helped Mike Duff finish the first tour 2.5 seconds ahead of Redman (Honda), who was followed by Alan Shepherd’s MZ at the same distance. For next season MZ are working on a real two-fifty engine. not two one-two-fives bolted side by side, as used since 1954. That should reduce engine dimensions by more than two inches and result in a smaller frontal area. The present bike is a huge thing, consequently with low top speed. All Alan could do as long as Jim was trying, was to lose five seconds a lap on him, and the East German bike was running perfectly.

With a well established lead of half a minute, Mike could even afford to ease off for the last two laps before he scored his popular win on the Japanese twin, a bike which seems to dominate at least the 250 class. Only Redman’s experience and skill saved Honda’s good name.

Tommy Robb had a secure fourth. Ten seconds behind him was the only fight on the leader board. Provini — disappointing in the last two meetings — watched Honda’s Isamu Kasuya from two yards’ distance, and in the last tour unexpectedly pulled ahead to take a meager fifth. Bruce Beale, that brilliant Rhodesian newcomer, took his Honda twin home outside the points, leading works riders Pagani and Paton, and Milani on the surprisingly fast Aermacchi.

MIKE THE BIKE AGAIN

There is not much to say about Mike Hailwood’s successes on the MV. This time he just missed Phil Read, Paddy Driver and Jack Ahearn by a couple of yards, otherwise he would have lapped his closest rivals. Caldarella again broke the Güera. He has the miraculous gift of not falling off. but daredevil riding does not help against Mike’s experience. Phil Read and Paddy Driver led the private entries on their Kirby Matchlesses, and behind them Mike Duff gave the AJS twin its first Grand Prix outing in a donkey’s age. The good old Porcupine, handling as badly as ever, made it hard work for Mike not to lose sight of his rivals, and after five laps the mag stopped his ride. That put Jack Ahearn in the picture. He came up to the Matchless riders and even passed them, forcing Phil and Paddy to squeeze 500 more revs out of the Kirby-ware than they were supposed to ask. The Norton’s petrol tank, empty one mile too early, put an end to Jack’s gallant effort, and he was lucky to finish, well ahead of Jack Findlay's improved McIntyre Matchless. There is a trend this year for AJS-Matchless machinery sweeping Nortons from leaderboard places, due to Tom Kirby’s excellent engines.

SIDECARS

Being next to last event for the chairs, the Belgian was a championship decider. It was Max Deubel, riding harder than ever before at Spa, who took the honors and made sure of the title, after all his opposition but Scheidegger had dropped out. The clutch let down Chris Vincent’s much-fancied chair. Camathias broke something on the Gilera’s float chamber setup and repaired things just in time to set fastest lap. and Colin Seeley got it worst of all. Pushing through from his bad starting place he came too near to Assi Butcher, who touched him and knocked off the valve of the sidecar tire, which put an end to the fine ride and to all title hopes. •