Page 1 Paradise & Gell has been located on Michael Street in Peel since 1974. Here you will find a wide range of furnishings to enhance any living space. Whether you are looking for something contemporary or a more traditional piece, then look no further than Paradise & Gell. Page 2 Contents Page 2 Chairman's Chat Page 3 Secretary's Notes Page 5 Yellow Belly Notes - "If you go down to the woods today.." Page 9 The Vincent is Dead! - Long live the Vincent Page 14 The Stillborn JAWA Boxer Page 20 Book Review - The Rugged Road Page 23 Forthcoming Events Page 24 VMCC Trial Results Page 27 Ray Amm - Rider Profile No. 16 Page 28 Sons of Thunder - Pt 4 - Allan Jermieson Page 34 Motorcycles - Part 5 - Bob Thomas Page 39 Past Problems Editor: Job Grimshaw Sub Editor: Harley Richards Cover Pic - John Barton on Rupert Murden’s GSXR 750 at Governors Bridge en route to second place in the Classic Superbike Manx Grand Prix. They purchased the bike on eBay! Page 1 Chairman’s chat Dear Members, I hope that you are getting in some riding despite the weather. Its got to warm up soon surely? The TT is now upon us and I am sure that you will wish Brian Ward and his team every success with the TT rally. Hopefully you have chosen to enter in time, as all events take a great deal of pre-planning and commitment, and it is always gratifying to see some returns for your efforts. At this time the Manx Grand Prix is under scrutiny and discussion, the out- come will inevitably affect our Rally and the Jurby event. It is your committee’s decision not to make any statement on this matter other than to agree to work with all parties to achieve the best possible out- come for our, and the festival’s events. We intend to continue to “talk up” the `Manx and be positive in all our dis- cussions. Following on this theme, Tony, Rupert, Ros. and Chris Procter and I at- tended the Stafford show on behalf of the Govt. to run the Isle of Man stand promoting the Island and the Manx in particular, we took along three bikes from different eras and were joined by Ryan Farquhar’s winning classic Paton kindly loaned by Roger Winfield. The stand was well attended and I think everybody visiting was left in no doubt that the Island is open for business and ready to welcome everyone who comes over. Finally, if you intend to attend our Jurby event your assistance will be gratefully received, even if for only an hour there is a job for you! Best wishes Richard Page 2 Secretary’s Notes Hi Everyone, The T.T. is here, and I hope everyone enjoys the event and stays safe. It will be very interesting for us locals to see how successful the innovations of the snooze box and the fanzones are, it will be great if they prove to bring a financial gain to IOM PLC. We have had many new members this year, but hardly ever see you out on the Club runs. We are a friendly bunch and it is always great to see a new face, so please roll up and make yourself known. If you need any further details on any of the runs, just give me a call on 878242, mobile 474074, or email me [email protected]. The average club run attracts 40-50 sign- ing on, it would be great to see that number up to 70+. The month of May saw the Club arrange a visit to Elder Grange Nursing home, organised by Brian Ward. Congratulations must go to Brian and to all those who attended. This is really appreciated by the staff and residents and a thank you card has been received. Clive Robinson and I attended the Hospice day centre at Nobles in April with one of my Greeves, and I gave a potted history of the Greeves Motor Cycle Factory. These activities take very little effort by Club members but give great pleasure to those less fortunate than ourselves. Please don’t forget that the VMCC Festival of Jurby requires a massive ef- fort from Club members, to date only 4 or 5 volunteers have come forward with offers of help. We need a lot more, you voted for the Section to take on this task and now is the time to show support for your Club. Hopefully there is money to be made for Club funds from Jurby, and this will be for the benefit of all our members. You all have my contact details or contact Gary Corlett. I am please to say that the T.T. Rally is resurrecting the T.T. BBQ which will take place on Tuesday June 5th. For those not in the Rally, tickets are Page 3 available from Pat or myself at a cost of £15 each. The Manx Jazz Aces will be entertaining us. I don’t wish to say anything about the new proposals for the MGP Festival 2013, I am sure most of you have read the details in the press. The Dept of Economic Development remain fully committed to the VMCC MGP Rally, the Festival of Jurby and the VMCC MGP Parade so let us hope that the DED and the MMCC can overcome their differences for the benefit of all concerned. Lastly I would like to mention a charity event being held here in Kirk Michael to raise money for the Hospice. It is on Saturday July 21st in the afternoon, with tea on the lawn [weather permitting], stalls and a display by the Manx Jazz Cats. Tickets will be available from Pat or myself. The Hos- pice plays a very important role in the community, as many of our mem- bers can vouch for, do come along if you can. Tony Donations to the Hospice in memory of Clive Robinson's wife Irene, came to £1,656.00. Clive wishes it to be known that he is very grateful to everyone who donated. A hearty welcome to these nine new members:- Alan Warner - 4 Castle Street, Peel, IM5 1AN Michael RE Hentall - 8 Larivane Meadows, Andreas, IM7 4JD David Haynes - Sundawn, Pinfold Hill, Lonan, IM4 7HL David R. Peach - 7, Scarlett Road, Castletown, IM9 1NT Robbie Bruce Gill - Heathercliffe, Ballageb Crossing, Lonan, Laxey, IM4 7HB James Blanchard - Porch Cottage, 27 Shore Road, Peel, IM5 1AP John Madden - Ballacannell, Lonan, Laxey IM4 7HH Stephen Lace - Balley Dowin. Baldhoon Road, Laxey, IM4 7ND Max Stewart - 28 Snaefell Crescent, Onchan, IM3 4NH Page 4 Yellow Belly Notes British Historic Racing came to during the week-end of 19/20th May, and with it, a new race class; British, European, American Racing and Supporters, or, to use the acronym, “BEARS”. The class is for bikes derived from production road-going motorcycles freely available to the public prior to 31st December 1985. To score points in the six race meeting series, competitors must be a member of the V.M.C.C.. (Pic 1: Ben Kingham on the BMW K100RS at the inaugural race at in April.) When the series was first suggested it seemed an attractive proposition; Pic. 1 Laverdas, Ducatis, BMWs and Moto Guzzis racing together, and they were just the obvious ones. Or would the entry be mainly British bikes already entered in other classes and simply having an extra ride? Your correspondent was fired up (not a common occurrence these days) and discussions over mugs of tea in Pic 1 sheds in the Louth area ensued. Page 5 After the initial burst of “I know, I’ll get a Benelli Six or a Harley Davidson Shovelhead”, I settled on something I felt more at home with, Moto Guzzi, and so the winter build began (Pic 2). Pic 2 As usual the bike is not yet ready, but I am pleased to say that others are far better organized. The grid at Cadwell was varied and interesting with well-prepared bikes. (Pic 3:A 1980 Laverda Barcelona.) Pic 3 Page 6 Pic 4 The experienced BMW rider Ron Maul had adapted a 1971 R75/5 and produced a superb racer looking for all the world like a “stealth fighter” (Pic 4). He rode with his customary style and speed in cold and damp conditions. Novice rider Rob Lawton was very quick on his 1975 Laverda Jota (Pic 5) and he will doubtless become one of the stars of the series. I encountered Rob some years ago at Spa where he was circulating as quickly as you like and his Pic 5 exploits can be seen on “You Tube”. Page 7 Last word must go to a Moto Guzzi (even if ours is not ready). Nigel Clark’s 1972 V7 Sport shows just how challenging the conditions were (Pic 6). Pic 6 Imagine tipping into the Gooseneck (Cadwell Gooseneck that is) on that thing and changing down just a fraction of a second too early. The momentary lock-up of the back wheel concentrates the mind and the benefits of shaft drive become less apparent. Still, a good beginning to the BEARS series and who knows, I may even have my bike ready for the next report. Pat Sproston: Louth, Lincolnshire Picture Quiz Can you name anyone on this photo and what is the occasion? ANS. P26 Page 8 The VINCENT is DEAD! Long Live the Vincent One of the notable aspects from the annals of production racing back in the late 60s/70s was simply that the class became so popular that manufacturers built works specials to get their names to the front of the grids.