Continental Report
CONTINENTAL REPORT
B.R. NICHOLLS
AGOSTINI, SMART IN S. AFRICA
The colorful Italian world champion is keeping in trim by racing in South Africa. He won both his races at the South African TT meeting, held on the Roy Hesketh circuit at Pietermaritzburg. But the man who really thrilled the crowd with his riding of a works Trident was Paul Smart, who chased Agostini hard in the big race of the day. He did the same a week later on the Kyalami circuit and once again finished 2nd to the world champion. Rod Gould also made the trip winning the 250 race at the first meeting and scoring a 250 and 350 double at the second.
RECORD BRITISH EXPORT
It is too early to say what the result of the trip will mean to Triumph and BSA as far as increased sales are concerned, but there is no doubt that l 970 was a good one for the British industry, with motorcycle exports reaching a record figure of almost 36 million. Just as encouraging were home market statistics, with a 23 percent increase in motorcycle registrations, while that for mopeds rose by 34 percent. It is still an anxious time for the home market and
industry, however, because they are heavily taxed and are faced with the prospect of entry into the Common Market.
AUTO CYCLE UNION 750 CLASS
It is symptomatic of the times that much effort is spent knocking the establishment. This is nothing new to motorcyclists. Not only do we knock our own national organizing bodies, but we have a bash at the dreaded FIM as well, particularly with regard to the world speed record so obviously held without recognition by the States.
But times change and we are moving slowly toward a truly international body. And, we in Britain are having our faith restored in our own Auto Cycle Union because they have created another road race title for 1971 for 750-cc machines.
A few voices have been raised in protest, stating that the new class should be for machines from 501 to lOOOcc. This would have included Egli Vincents, among others, though they have seldom proved really competitive against 501-750cc machinery like the
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Beesa and Triumph Threes and Norton Commandos.
The creation of this new class will not mean any change in the number of titles that our road racers will contend for, since the 50-cc class has been dropped due to lack of interest.
This move reflects the growing interest in 750 class racing that has rubbed off from the States, particularly the great Daytona meeting which must figure with the Isle of Man as one of the world’s most important prestige meetings. This is why BSA and Triumph have already laid plans for getting the best possible talent lined up on their machinery. Some, however, may doubt whether Mike Hailwood can do justice to a works BSA Three since he has had no race experience since Daytona last year.
INTERNAT’L. LICENSE REFUSAL
But, at the time of this writing, Hailwood could well be the only European racing at Daytona. No sooner do we seem to be getting toward some sense of unity between the AMA and FIM than the latter body promptly turns round and refuses international licenses for Daytona unless FIM rules are followed. So, let’s knock the FIM for being so inflexible at a crucial time.
Without an international permit for the meeting, riders will run the risk of losing their international licenses. The only rider not affected in this way is Hailwood, who is no longer a regular motorcycle racer. But, even he could be at risk in view of the tie up between our own ACU and RAC.
Should an answer be found, then you will probably see the forceful Paul Smart on a factory Trident at Daytona. He is one of the most improved riders of 1970.
So, with this trend toward the bigger 750 class, can it be long before the FIM gets in step and extends the 500cc road race title to 750cc?
DUCATI 750 ENTRY
The entry by the famous Italian Ducati concern into the 750 class with a 750 V Twin roadster sports model was bold indeed. But, even more surprising is the fact that they will have a 500cc racing version for the classic scene this year and have approached Colin Seeley to build a frame for testing purposes. The plan is for an Italian rider, probably Bruno Spaggiari, to ride it in the early Italian meetings, and if this proves promising, then it will contend the world title series. A model will later be
available for an English rider to use at certain short circuit international meetings.
The ultimate aim is to produce an Anglo-Italian machine with Ducati providing the engine and gearbox. Cycle parts will be of British manufacture. At the moment, priority is being given to the production of 100 750-cc sports roadsters so that it will qualify for the Production TT in the Isle of Man this year.
Ducati has also produced a fourstroke motocross engine for the 500 class, but are not alone in this as Benelli and Guzzi have acted on the same lines.
The refreshing aspect of the Ducati exercise is that they are primarily interested in building and developing engines. They will sell engine units separately so that the enthusiast can build what he likes. There is already talk of the 750 V Twin being a useful sidehack unit.
MOTOCROSS BSA SALES AID
The firm belief that competition improves the breed and increases sales certainly seems the dominant point of view at BSA these days, with their accent on motocross as their sales aid. Hard on last month’s news that Andy Roberton had left AJS to join them comes the news that Vic Allan has left Creeves and will be a Beesa Boy in ’71. So, BSA has a strong team consisting of John Banks, Dave Nicoll, Keith Hickman, Allan Roberton and Jeff Smith. It will be interesting to see how many of them are successful in getting entries for the world championships.
MAICO SIGNS NEW TALENT
BSA are not the only ones intent on giving Husqvarna a hard time in 1971. Maico has also been hunting and has signed the Belgian ace Jef Teuwissen, noted for his ability on sandy circuits. Last season he rode Husqvarna but after a promising start failed to show his best form. When this happens, a change of machine often brings a change of fortune and he could become the unexpected threat this year. Another Belgian, Walter Van Den Broeck, has also been signed.
Maico will still have Adolf Weil, Ake Jonsson and Willi Bauer. The Dutchman Frans Sigmans has also signed with them.
In England the Maico flag will be flown by Bryan Goss, the reigning British 500 motocross champion. He will also distribute the bikes in the UK.
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DAVIS, AJS VARIANCE
The British 250 champion Malcolm Davis is once again at variance with AJS. They are not prepared to support him for the world title series that he is keen to contest. As British number one, his entries for the world series are assured, so he should have little trouble getting alternate machinery if a change is the only way he can go about pursuing that title. Davis, incidentally, has been keeping fit riding in trials and winning just for good measure. But, he has lost his edge in this branch of the sport since concentrating on motocross.
BRITISH TRIALS CHAMPIONSHIP
In the first round of the 1971 British trials championship, reigning champion Gordon Farley (Montesa) tied on marks lost with Malcolm Rathmell (Bultaco). A speed test tie breaker meant victory for the Bultaco rider. In 3rd place, five marks behind the leaders, came Martin Lampkin (Bultaco), with 28 marks lost. His brother Alan finished, 4th, also Bultaco mounted. The sidecar class was much more decisive with Ray Round (BSA) losing 19 marks to the 27 of Bob Colein (Metisse).
ANDREWS WINS BELGIAN ROUND
Mick Andrews (Ossa) continued his assault on the European trials championship with a brilliant win at the third round held in Belgium. Held over two laps of a course near Dison, down near the German border, the main ingredients were rocks, over which Andrews is so adept.
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Initially, however, it was Rathmell who asserted himself and was leading at the end of the first lap, but he could not maintain the pace. Andrews lost 51 to win by five from Rathmell. Farley was 3rd on 60.
British riders sewed up the first five places with Dave Thorpe (Ossa), 75, Rob Edwards (Montesa), 76, and Swedish rider Benny Sellman (Montesa) completed the first six with 83 lost. Andrews now leads the table with a useful 42 points from Farley, 28, and Thorpe, 23.
The trial was spoiled by the petty mindedness of the Belgian Federation who insisted that all machines should have lights fitted in accordance with Belgian law, although that country is party to an agreement that allows entry of all vehicles complying with the laws of the country from whence the vehicle came.
That the Belgians meant business was doubtless as the previous week they had disqualified another British rider, Charlie Harris, who had ridden his Montesa to victory in the St. Martin trial. The organizing club in that instance was most upset by the action of their own Federation, and threatened to take the matter to the FIM.
The result at the championship trial was an assortment of lights being fixed to machines to get past the scrutineer at the start. An eclipse of the sun would have revealed that few of the lights worked and a check at the finish would have shown that most had disappeared.
VELO FACTORY BANKRUPT
Ending on a sad note comes the news that Velocette has failed in their fight to avoid bankruptcy and are in voluntary liquidation. It is sad to see a marque that was so successful in the immediate post war years finally succumb. At least present owners are assured of a good supply of spares for many years to come.
