UKDRN

jaytee wrote: great photos oily, who's the big fella in the white t shirt, I think he helps Ray Law

Correct. I can't remember his name but he's a really nice bloke to talk to. He's been helping Ray since the 1970's I believe. I certainly recall seeing him with Ray at the Pod on many occasions back in the early days.

CRR wrote:

jaytee wrote: great photos oily, who's the big fella in the white t shirt, I think he helps Ray Law

Correct. I can't remember his name but he's a really nice bloke to talk to. He's been helping Ray since the 1970's I believe. I certainly recall seeing him with Ray at the Pod on many occasions back in the early days.

That will be Terry Fisher...

Ray & Terry at VMCC Sprint, RAF Wroughton 21-08-2011.

Rider in the foreground is Keith Cooper, who also rides with the NHCA (National Hillclimb Association)

Ray's bike employs a 'rolling rear-wheel stand', which was relatively common back in the 70's.
The idea was that a burnout would take place with the front wheel against something solid (Armco barrier or a van), then the rear would be lifted up on the stand and the machine wheeled to the start, engine still running with rider walking alongside, thus keeping the tyre clean.
An added benefit of the stand is at tracks with a relatively 'dirty' paddock. The tyre would be cleaned when the bike returns from a run. When its time for the next run, it and then wheeled to the burnout area, avoiding the pickup that would have occurred if it where wheeled on it's tyre.

It also allows the chain tension to be easily checked, and the engine to be turned over when checking valve clearances etc.
Oh, and it can stop the bike falling over too!!

In the pics Terry is wearing an original Classic Bike Sprint T-Shirt circa 1992-3. He still wears it, it still looks like new and I still want his Mrs to look after my washing so my shirts will last that long. He's never been keen to suggest it to her though.............can't think why.

There's a nicely aged Classic Bike Sprint sticker on Ray's fuel tank (not sure what year its from, but could be 1994)

I went to spectate at the first Ultimate Classic Bike Sprint at North Weald, and believe it was 1991 (please correct me if I'm wrong) as I have a sticker that says June 16, so assuming that was a Sunday, that makes it 1991, eek, 23 years ago!!
The sticker says "featuring Super Nero, Pegasus, Hagon Jap, Mighty Mouse, Blown Rudges". I'd seen some of these at Blackbushe in the '70's, so quite a good 'nostalgia day'.

Have another sticker which looks the same as that on Ray's bike and dated July 25th (with the sketch of George Brown on Super Nero), which equates to 1994 if the event was on a Sunday.

Back in '91, we talked to a very friendly chap from the NSA (National Sprint Association) by the name of Reg Hark (who sadly passed away in, I believe, 2013), plus some other riders and spanner-men, and got the bug to get be "on the other side of the fence". My mate Andy & I then proceeded to buy a bike to share until we could afford individual bikes.
The rest, as they say, is history.

oily bike bloke wrote:There's a nicely aged Classic Bike Sprint sticker on Ray's fuel tank (not sure what year its from, but could be 1994)
I went to spectate at the first Ultimate Classic Bike Sprint at North Weald, and believe it was 1991 (please correct me if I'm wrong) as I have a sticker that says June 16, so assuming that was a Sunday, that makes it 1991, eek, 23 years ago!!

Andy, the June 16 North Weald meeting was actually in 1996 and the July 25 meeting was 1993.

CRR wrote:

oily bike bloke wrote:There's a nicely aged Classic Bike Sprint sticker on Ray's fuel tank (not sure what year its from, but could be 1994)
I went to spectate at the first Ultimate Classic Bike Sprint at North Weald, and believe it was 1991 (please correct me if I'm wrong) as I have a sticker that says June 16, so assuming that was a Sunday, that makes it 1991, eek, 23 years ago!!

Andy, the June 16 North Weald meeting was actually in 1996 and the July 25 meeting was 1993.

Thanks for the dates CRR, wasn't sure. (for info - 'Andy' is my mate, but I'll let him know!! )
So, only 21 years ago then..... time still flies.

As I can't see a race number does anyone know who this might be or even what the strange contraption of a bike is! I think this is Pip Higham on the B/Gas Suzuperbike! Paul Rose. Photos by Doug

muddytalker wrote:As I can't see a race number does anyone know who this might be or even what the strange contraption of a bike is!

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I think this is Pip Higham on the B/Gas Suzuperbike!

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Paul Rose.

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Photos by Doug

If you have a look at your copy of a book on drag bike history I can recommend Jerry, you may get your answer as to the rear engined bike. I would say it is Jim Balchin's machine, which was Imp powered.
Regards,
Keith

I would Keith but its boxed up at the moment pending a house move.