Racing - Getting Hooked

Page 1 Page 2 Page 2 Chairman's Chat Page 4 Editorial Page 5 Yellow Belly Notes - “The Best Job in the World?" Page 8 The Phillips V Japanese Industrial Standard Problem Page 10 Did You Know? Page 11 Forthcoming Events Page 12 Trials Results Page 14 Flogger's Corner Page 16 Rider Profile No. 31 - Austin Munks Page 18 Extract from "Motor Cycling" mag 30th May 1957 Page 22 Book Review: "Big British Bikes of the 50s & 60s Page 24 Out and About Page 29 New Members Page 30 More than just a motorcycle Page 34 Classic 50cc Racing - Getting Hooked Editor: Harley Richards [email protected] Cover Picture:- Exercising some editorial prerogative, and his Bonneville, Harley cuts a dash through the Manx countryside. Apologies to the photographer for losing his details – it really is an excellent shot. Published by Peel Copy Centre Tel: +44 (0)1624 843889 Page 1 I hope you are all enjoying some good riding this summer, even if you have to choose your days. The Summer Party was a huge success, something we will repeat and our Test Days at Jurby have been greatly enjoyed. This has resulted in a number of new and younger members to the Club which has to be positive for our Section, it certainly bucks the national VMCC trend. Our Jurby Festival now looms large and I would ask all members to help on or before the day as we really need you. Whilst on the subject of Jurby, it would be opportune for me to explain again our current Club structure. Last year we realised that the Jurby Festival continues to be a large part of the Classic TT/ Manx calendar and, as a result of this, greater financial and public risk was being heaped against our club. This risk fell directly on the Committee, we were all liable for any claim or expense incurred. After seeking professional advice we were relieved of some of that burden by forming a limited company. All administrative positions in this company are wholly your club officials, there being no paid positions, the company being a non-profit making organisation with all funds remaining within the club. Our section now has a firm financial footing from which to operate, thanks largely to the Jurby Festival and, importantly, this directly funds your club’s activities including meals out, tea and buns, Test Days and rallies etc. Without this income we would have to cut back seriously on these extras, the raffles and Bring and Buy do not even scratch the surface, so there you have it! Motorcycling Events Ltd is our professional wing, to give it a name but, and this is a big but, everything is done to make our club side of the Section more appealing and enjoyable to all our members. I realise that you are probably all fed up of hearing about Jurby but bear with us as we are all very enthusiastic about all our activities. This year we are pleased to announce that, in addition to our full and varied programme, we are privileged to have the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, including a Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire performing an aerial display, something we are unlikely to be able to repeat. This group only performs at large events and this is a real coup for our Section. Page 2 You may remember, those of you who attended the AGM earlier in the year, that I will not be standing for re-election as Chairman. To this end I have resigned formally from the position and this is purely a personal decision - it is time for someone else to have a go. I must make it clear that this is nothing to do with Club finances, which certain rumours are suggesting, I am very happy with our Club’s financial affairs. I shall continue to honour my commitments for the rest of this year and will no doubt continue to be involved for the foreseeable future. Richard Published by Peel Copy Centre Tel: +44 (0)1624 843889 Page 3 As I have been unable to find someone to take over the editorial reins, sadly this will be the last issue of Vintage Mann - at least in its current format. The plan for future issues is that they will be annual (the first is scheduled to appear in December this year), larger and cover both the Section’s activities over the preceding twelve months and plans for the year to come. This will, of course, still require articles, photographs etc. so can I please ask you all to let me have anything you think that might be suitable – it will be most welcome! Also, as the first venture into an annual format happens to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Section’s formation, I would especially welcome any contributions that relate to past members, events and competitions. 50 years is a long time and I’m hoping to be able to do justice to all the hard work that has gone on over the years into making the Section what it is today. Please contact me at: [email protected] or on 626752 if you have something you’d like to share with your fellow members. Finally, I would like to say a genuine Thank You to all our advertisers, anyone who has ever contributed to the magazine and, in particular (although in no particular order): - the “regulars” – Pat Sproston (YellowBelly Notes), Dorothy Green- wood (Rider Profiles) and Jonathan Hill (Book Reviews), - Bill Snelling for access to his amazing archive and memory, and for putting up with questions like “Have you got something similar but from the ‘50’s and with the rider going from left to right?” (he invariably does), - Dave Manton at the Peel Copy Centre for his publishing skills and patience with my uneducated requests for formatting changes, image manip- ulation etc. and - my predecessor, Job, for leaving me a solid foundation to work with. As always, all contributions are welcome! Harley Page 4 Yellow Belly Notes The Best Job in the World? James Robinson is the Pic 1 editor of The Classic Motorcycle, published by Mortons in Horncas- tle, Lincolnshire. He is pictured standing with an “Indian Velocette” (Pic 1) in front of a large reproduction of the cover of the January 2016 edition of the magazine, in which he wrote about this unusual machine. In Pic 2 James is putting a Coventry-Eagle Flying 8 through its paces. Now, is that the best job in the world or what? Raised in a home where vintage mo- torcycles were “normal”, James can remember as a small boy, falling asleep in the chair of a Royal Enfield outfit and in 1990, when he was elev- en, he hankered after a Rex Acme! Not a Nintendo or a Play Station, oh Pic 2 no, he wanted a Page 5 Pic 3 pre-war bike manufactured in Coventry and made famous by the racing exploits of Wal Handley. He now has a cracking example of this machine in his collection. With a degree in English from Bristol University he went to work in motorcycle journalism. In July 2001, I met James on one of his first assignments at the Forgotten Racing Club’s Race of the Year at Cadwell Park. I was riding my 500cc Dunstall Kawasaki and during practice a TZ750 passed me coming out of Hall Bends, missing me by a fraction of an inch and going at a speed which reduced the rider to the role of passenger. I just missed the inevitable crash and the resulting red flag saw me back in the paddock, changing underwear. James asked me some questions about the bike and took a photo which appeared in Classic Racer in the November/December issue. Now, not only had James spelt my surname correctly (most unusual!) but had also done some of his own research on the history of the bike. Many years later he told me that most of all during that interview he remembered me shaking! Page 6 The magazine had listed James as a staff writer and from there he did various jobs until he became editor of the magazine aimed at those who have an interest in older machines. He is a good story teller and his considerable knowledge of vintage bikes does not come over in an “anorak” way but rather it enhances the tale. He is not stuck in the past, unlike some of us in the vintage movement, but just loves these old machines for what they are. His brief magazine editorials are thoughtful and never preach to the convert- ed. In fact they often ask questions that lead to good club night debates. Pic 3 shows James in Ireland enjoying a rally and to me it sums up what it is about riding a bike of a certain age, in a setting that is timeless. The photo could just as easily have been taken on the Isle of Man. Does the ‘best job in the world’ have a downside? Well of course there is routine administration work and every day does not bring the offer of exotic test rides, but still, what a job! Pat Sproston, Louth, Lincolnshire IMPORTANT Please can any member who is not getting email reminders about forthcoming events and changes to venue/timing/dates, let either Steve Price ([email protected]) or Tony ([email protected]) know and we will add you to the mailing list. Page 7 The Phillips versus Japanese Industrial Standard problem One of the most recognized types of screwdrivers is the traditional Phillips - it’s probably the most commonly used driver for fastening cross-point screws and bolts.

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