Having sent off the December 99 issue for copying and posting just before Christmas, I thought it would be possible to hibernate through the winter until next April. Waking from a deep sleep during the AGM last weekend, I heard Herman say that the next Hillclimber was due by the end of February so that all you can have a copy of the finalised event list. Most important, he said, was that you should get your entries in to Paul Jeffery by the closing date for our season opener at Hartland Quay on Sunday 19 March. So there!
…. which reminds me of my first impressions of Hartland when I competed there for the first time last March. What an amazing place. With the wonderful seascape and the hill rising dramatically from the shoreline, it must be the most ‘atmospheric’ hill we ride. It’s a shame that the final 25 yards are so bumpy. The Morgan was bucking all over the place, so it must be really hairy on these quick bikes and sidecars. The antics of the Mog’s rear suspension made me realise what poor damping I was getting from the pair of converted Spridget lever arm units which have been on the Mog for the past 20 years so. With gratefully-received help from friend Max, we fitted a set of pre-war Armstrong lever arms on new mounts and the whole plot is far more stable now.
Ring, ring. It’s Herman. Change of plans. The event list will now be sent out with the membership forms so there’s no rush to produce The Hillclimber. Relax.
Oh dear. Jim Rolt’s address on the event list has changed. Urgent panic to get The Hillclimber out to you asap. Here it is. All the best for a fast but safe 2000.
Please note the new date for Bryn Bach Park. This event will now take place on 25 June, not 29 July. As a result it will no longer clash with Barbon.
Please note that the correct
address for Jim Rolt, secretary of the meeting for Loton Park meetings (except
the Classic) is
190 Broad Street
Sidemoor
Bromsgrove
Worcs B61 8NQ
Enclosed with this issue of The Hillclimber you will find what I believe are the current records. If anybody has any queries they can contact me on 01203 313509.
Ref. young Jim Rolt’s application to join the Age Concern Works Team.
We would like to point out that there are very rigid
(well, fairly rigid) criteria to become eligible for this polished team. For example,
1 Do you dye your hair grey like what we do?
2 Do you need to wear reading glasses to sign on?
3 Do you need to ask directions from the start line marshal?
4 Do you feel that on the long climbs such as Wiscombe, Gurston Down and so on, a toilet is required half way?
5 When you visit the doctor’s for a medical, does he say “drop your trousers and I will check your” OW!!
6 Bikes must be black and gold or black and silver.
7 Are you the holder of a valid pension book?
We are not associated with Sad Git Racing (Hillclimber October 99), lurid leathers and stinkwheels! But we do approve of some of their aims, e.g. cocoa and bird watching. However, Mike Shorter does show some promise if he does sell the YZ and rides his Triumph.
Team Captain: Alan Morgan (70 yrs)
Team Tactician: Dave Carter (68-69 yrs). Not sure of his exact age as he is Down
Under among the Dunderdongs spending his 75p pension rise on Emu Oil.
YTS lad: Roy Venard (only 67
yrs)
Best wishes to you all and
se you at the top,
Roy Venard
Terry’s Toys
Tony has asked me to pen him
a few paragraphs on my current projects.
Last year I swapped my restored 1922 BAS Flat Tanker for a 1960s Triton
– 750 Morgo Triumph T10 motor in a Wideline Featherbed frame, loads of alloy
and stainless, Lyta tank, etc. – tasty or what? It’s a bit quicker than the BSA and I don’t get trouble with
grounding footrests anymore.
My 1956 AJS trials outfit
was completed last year and, after a few outings with Reg as ballast, the main
bearings gave trouble and it is now in pieces.
The 1939 Matchless Model X (990cc V twin) is nearly complete, awaiting
recon magneto and fitting of sidecar.
High hopes of hillclimbing the beast, but the loan of Martin’s Commando
Wasp has taken a grip on my 3-wheel fantasies. And on that front we are
ditching the trials tyres, stiffening up the suspension, fitting twin carbs and
reading up on my copy of ‘Hints and Tips on Sidecar Driving’.
Finally, I am in the throes
of restoring a 1936 BSA 500 Empire Star which hopefully will be taking us on a
2,000 mile trip around the British Isles and Ireland – more of that later.
Terry
Martin
This year’s show took place on the 12/13th February. In previous years we have tried to show examples of some of the diverse types of machine that can be used in Hill Climbs. This time we used fewer bikes and put the emphasis on Pip Moseley’s impressive "Battle" Ducati which we elevated to a suitable height using Geoff Sims’ bike stand. Also on the stand were Pete Isaac's "Barcelona 24 Hours" Velo and my "For Sale" Yamaha TZR 680 (well, there have to be some perks to the job). Geoff's video collection played all weekend and loads of leaflets handed out. So a few more people should now have a better idea of what Hill Climbing is all about. Thanks to Geoff, Doreen, Pete and Pip and everybody who put time in on the stand or came to watch themselves on the video.
Dear Tony
I thought I’d drop you a line after reading the Dec 99 issue of The Hillclimber.
I’m also a member of the VMCC and have recently found myself on the committee of the VMCC Sprint Section. I’d just like to let you know credit should in fact go to the Northamptonshire Section of the VMCC for organising the Castle Ashby “Bent Sprint” (their words, not mine!) back in September and not, unfortunately, the VMCC Sprint Section.
I’d also like to express my thanks to ‘those more experienced riders who held back their entries’ for last May’s Shelsley as reported in the December Hillclimber, which allowed myself and many other ‘less experienced’ our first taste of the infamous venue. A very much appreciated and sporty gesture!
Readers may be interested in some provisional dates
for the diary:
Brooklands. London Douglas Motorcycle Club – Sun 23 April
Goodwood Festival of Speed – 23 to 25 June
Brighton Speed Trials – Sat 9 September
Goodwood Circuit Revival – 15 to 17 September
Incidentally, I’m dropping a line to Peter Isaac requesting some literature handouts as I plan to take my hillclimb bike to the Brooklands Motorsport Day scheduled for Sat 19 February.
Best wishes,
As an official, spectator and competitor, it’s amazing the wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm which can be gained from our sport, seeing the different ways people attack the problems of transport to the meetings, costs, mechanical faults on the day and interpretation of the rules of engagement commonly known as the ACU handbook which, if you are a full licence holder you should be the proud owner of. If, however, you use only day licences you may never have seen one. In which case it would be a good idea to talk to someone with regard to the rules and save a lot of hassle at the start of the day for booth you and the officials. One of the good points of hillclimbing has been not too much red tape. But, like all other sports, it seems to be increasing in order to survive outside pressures! So the idea is to make it no harder than it needs to be for all of us.
Just a few points noted from last season, looking at hillclimbing from the various angles –
With environmental issues being strong please bring an old piece of carpet to put under the bike, especially if there are known leaks or a repair is being carried out.
Numbers – all machines must have three number plates of the correct colour for the class and numbers near to the size stated in the handbook. This is important for meetings where the timekeepers or commentators may not know you. (Racing numbers must be removed or taped over if the machine is ridden on public roads, e.g. to and from the meeting.)
Could sidecar crews remove the bodywork when they are next in line to reach the scrutineer, as this can save a lot of time.
Anyone with long hair (no chance for me) must have it tied back and tucked into their leathers during racing as, in the event of a prang, you don’t want it getting caught in the chain. Could this mean the return of the hairnet?
Please mark the stroke clearly on the engine or nearest bodywork to enable the official noise test to be carried out.
Don’t forget to bring your fire extinguishers.
Make sure boots and leathers overlap to cover ankles as they are rather fragile (I know!).
As most of you know, at the end of 2000 the ACU approval stamp will change on the helmets. Should you need to buy a new helmet, please bear this in mind. Recently there has been some confusion in the types of material used, so I have included a recent memo from the ACU Newsletter.
Well, that’s more than enough from me and I haven’t even fallen off! So, wishing you a good and incident-free season for 2000-02-10
Dave Wills
What do hillclimbers do in the winter? Five friends and I have just had an
excellent weekend with John & Brenda Luckett at Lower Wembsworthy Farm
(01237 441611) which is about three miles from Hartland. They have about 20
acres of woodland and streams where you can ride your trials bike for as long
as you want, serve an outstanding breakfast and go out of their way to make
sure you have an enjoyable stay all for £15 a night bed & breakfast. Well
worth a visit (if you have a trials bike) or worth considering if there are
"no rooms at the inn" for hillclimb weekend.
Mike Shorter
Yamaha TZR 680. XT600 engine with Yoshimura conversion, twin Amals, Joy cam, CR.box, Marvic wheels. Light and quick. Give John Staden a hard time for about £2000.
Doug Parnell. Tel. 01454 260679 (Glos.)
Honda CR500 (1990) hillclimb bike. Tuned, ready to race with spares (my 1999 bike with with a few later parts courtesy of Ian Fry!) £1,700 or serious offers.
Ian Southerton. Tel. 07801 722646 or 0121 246 2947 (Birmingham).
Yamaha YZ293 (approx. 1992) hillclimb bike. Ready to race with spares. £1,100 ono.
Ian Southerton. Tel. 07801 722646 or 0121 246 2947 (Birmingham).
though). Just too fast for this ageing soft southern pussy. £400 NO OFFERS .
Ask Jamie Mitchell if you want to know how good it is.
Suppose a name and phone number may be a good idea.
.
Tel Ian Southerton on 07801 722646 or 0121 246 2947 (Birmingham).