British Historic Racing 2013 - The Race Bikes

It's been a quiet five months here on Clubman Classics, I put it down to reasons of a 'domestic nature'. Nothing to do with the missus, let's just say I'm learning fast that houses are a bottomless pit of work and money.

Entering both the 250 NSU Manx and the 350 Norton Manx in the BHR races in 2013 means I certainly have my work cut out. It also gives the other team member of Clubman Classics a chance to see the fruits of his winter labour in action more of the time - as long as I don't break them! The list of jobs needed to get both bikes race ready is long and arduous, but with just over a week to go before our first outing at Mallory Park for Round 1 of the British Historic Racing series on April 21st, the machines are very nearly track ready.

Following the last 250cc race of the season at Cadwell Park last year, (I very luckily missed Angela Cragg who came off on the Mountain - I hope she's fully recovered now) and where I secured a result of fourth in class, third if you discount the guest rider, the NSU Manx's motor has had a rebuild with an all-important balance factor adjustment and new timing settings. Last year's machine was underpowered and because of the vibrations difficult to hang on to. The niggling oil leak issues only drained my confidence further.

The 350 Manx on the other hand has had even more work done, including a high-level pipe and Lansdowne-spec fork internals. The last time I rode this bike was at the Spa Bikers Classic in 2011, where it ran rough the whole weekend, with poor handling. Competing on it for the first time in 2013, I'm looking forward to the extra power of a 350, albeit in a very similar chassis to the NSU Manx 250.

With both bikes booked in for rolling road sessions at JHS Racing in Keynsham this week, I can't wait to bump-start the season, hopefully with reliable and competitive companions.

British Historic Racing - Snetterton, Rounds 4 & 5

I was unsure what to expect on my first trip to Snetterton. What I found was a very open, typically British airfield site, carefully disguised as racing circuit by current owners MSV. Snetterton enjoyed its 60th anniversary in 2012, whilst also benefitting from a multi-million pound resurface and re-design. The venue now offers several track layouts, with the VMCC/BHR organisers using the outer-perimeter 200 circuit.

The wind on June 16th 2012 was surprisingly strong and brisk, and with the relatively un-tried and tested NSU Norton 250 as my ride for the day, I was far from brimming with confidence. On top of that, we had a very slight oil leak from the exposed clutch plates which was finding its way onto the back tyre after several laps. After one or two more scary moments at Montreal and (ironically) Chapman corners, I managed to stay on and bag two last places. The bike struggled with vibrations, was down on power and had cold oily tyres! Nevertheless, due to a relatively poor turnout in my class - the Economy Appliances pre-63 250s, I scored points for a fourth place finish.

Union Motorcyles

Union Motorcycles specialise in restoring and building British and European classic motorcycles, based in a barn in Nampa, Idaho. I spotted this brilliant logo on their Facebook page and just had to share it...

Lansdowne Historic Grand Prix - Brands Hatch

Brilliant footage from Mike Russel racing a Manx Norton at Brands Hatch in the hotly-contested Lansdowne British Historic Grand Prix. This film provides a genuine rider's eye view of vintage bike racing..

Biker's Classic at Spa Francorchamps

Spa Francorchamps with a Manx Norton. Is there a better combination for a weekend of track riding?  The annual Biker's Classic is definitely an event to put in the calendar for next year if you've never been before. The track itself is simply wonderful. Consisting of 4.35 miles of fast, wide tarmac draped over the rolling hills of the Ardenne Forest, Spa is steeped in history and to this day is the home of the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours.

No longer used for international bike events, the track once hosted thousands and thousands of bike fans  keen to watch the likes of GP stars Phil Hill, Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini.

The Bikers Classic event is made up out of three sections. For most mere mortals it is a three day track day for classic sports and racing bikes. On Saturday night a four hour endurance race takes place for 1970s & 80s Superbikes. Also, throughout the weekend, the GP class provides spectators the opportunity to witness past heroes take to the track on some of the most valuable and rarest machinery ever made.

This year we made a base with several members of the Norton Owners Club, all aboard either 350 or 500 Manx Nortons and all keen to sample the delights and challenges Spa has to offer.

Due to the long straights and fast downhill sections TT gearing was the order of the day, although a windy uphill access road made the journey up to the new F1 pit lane holding area a lesson in clutch and traffic management!

We were running Avon Roadrider race tyres which once warm provide tonnes of grip and having raced with them at Pembrey in the rain, feel confident in their grip levels. They are very pressure sensitive though- 27/28 psi measured cold seemed to feel best.

The Manx I was riding is owned my mechanic and uses a '54 frame and '59 350 engine, it's the one in the pictures with an unpainted short circuit tank. Originally delivered to Sweden the machine was sourced from Ireland. I'd like to think it's possible that it raced at Spa before at some point during it's journey to Dublin...? Who knows. The machine ran well, albeit requiring slight fettling between track sessions. At one point we noticed a crack in the alloy primary chain guard. Following a quick dig around in the van we found an old VW Beetle exhaust mount that just happened to be the perfect length to act as a replacement support. On it went and there it stayed all weekend!

Overall I completed about 25 laps of the circuit and with a little rain on Friday, some much faster than others. The scenery at Spa is beautiful and although concentrating on the job in hand, the famous forest backdrop makes for exhilarating riding. Roaring down the old start/finish straight up against the wall into Eau Rouge, will stay with me for a quite few years yet!

The long van journey was very much worth it and the weekend wouldn't have been possible without my trusty mechanic. So a final thank you goes out to him and for the support of the rest of the NOC for one of the best biking weekends. EVER.

The video below features two laps taken on-board the 350 Manx, apologies for the poor sound quality..

VIDEO: Becoming a club racer with Bob McIntyre

Excellent period footage including some early on-bike shots featuring Bob McIntyre and Joe Potts.

First time out: Norton Manx 350

Based around a 1954 chassis and a later '59 350cc engine, the Manx is in near standard form apart from the modern silencer helping it pass strict noise regulations at many smaller race tracks.

The bike will run at Cadwell Park next week in a non-competitive track day in preparation for the Biker's Classic event at Spa Francorchamps in Belgium on July 1st.

With help from Andy Savage the machine now runs very well and should provide a keen novice rider with a few thrills around the hopefully sunny Lincolnshire 'mini-Nurburgring'. If all goes well this season, a possible belt primary drive and 5/6 speed conversion could be on the cards for next year.

As it's my first time riding the Manx in (relative) anger I have also booked some valuable tuition provided by Club MSV at Cadwell to help me with racing lines and to spot any areas of my riding showing room for improvement.

The full report from Cadwell will follow.

Mallory Park VMCC - In the paddock

A selection of some of the tastier motorcycles spotted on the lunch break around the paddock at the VMCC test day. Look out for the rare Godet Vincent and Mularney 4 valve Manx..

Pushrod ES2 Manx Norton

Built up by Mike Pemberton of Pushrod Performance this smartly prepared road racer features a full race spec pushrod 490cc ES2 engine. The bike is owned by Sue Stelfox.

Battle at Olivers Mount

This fabulous footage from Duke Video covers the Seniors event at Oliver's Mount in 1956 as Geoff Duke (Gilera) and Bob McIntyre (Norton) fight it out for the lead and the prestigious Gold Cup.

Norton Manx

Back by popular demand..

Pushrod Performance Nortons

Mike Pemberton of Pushrod Performance wakes up the neighbours with his two custom made Norton road bikes, the Norton Supermoto and the Poor Man's Manx.