Different Strokes

DIFFERENT STROKES

FED UP WITH HONDA'S domination of 500cc Grand Prix racing, two aviation-oriented Brits in Plymouth, England, are trying to remedy the situation. Ian Cramp and Paul Bristow have built a liquidcooled, 100-degree, twostroke V-Twin. Curiously, the engine is supported by a steel-tube, trellis-style frame, rather than the ubiq uitous twin-spar aluminum setup. "If you look at how a powerful turbo-prop aircraft engine is mounted for maximum strength and rigidity to a fuselage, you will see a steel space frame' ex plains Bristow. "There is no stronger way, nor better ma terial than steel." With more than $75,000 already invest ed, Bristow and Cramp are committed to the project. Good thing, they'll need it to take on Honda. And a lot more money.

Alastair Walker