Commando racing in UK

Fast Eddie · Apr 14, 2015

I went to watch the kick off meeting of the British Histroic Racing (BHR) Club at Mallory Park on Sunday.

They now have a pre 1972 up to 750 class, to go alongside the exisiting pre 1972 unlimited class. I don't know why, but the grids for both were very low.

The BHR rules state that machines must be from parts 'of a type available at the time'. For example, Triumph T140 engines are allowed as they are deeemed 'of a type avaialable at the time' (ie you could get a T120 and a big bore kit... which is what a T140 is).

What am I waffling on about? Well, as most of the fast triple boys seems to prefer the CRMC... it seemed to me that whether you've got a 750, 850 or 920+ Commando racer / cafe racer / barn find kicking around, there's an ideal chance to get some good track action!

Apart from the abundance of scooters (they race in the club as well for some bizzare reason) the padock was its usual friendly 'hot bed of good ideas' kinda place !

The atmosphere was so good that it nearly (I said nearly) spured me into action!

Jus sayin'

Chris · Apr 14, 2015

Hi Eddie

Trouble is Eddie you would want to do it right

Witness your road bike!!!!!

By the way, I did reply to your e mail I have a Maney 2 into 1 that is for the MK4 but will need altering for the frame.
I also have the alloy end can with the supertrap discs that Steve says will get you down to road level with the blanking disc in the end.

Let me know as your dyno time awaits

all the best Chris

Fast Eddie · Apr 14, 2015

Chris said:
Hi Eddie

Trouble is Eddie you would want to do it right Witness your road bike!!!!!

By the way, I did reply to your e mail I have a Maney 2 into 1 that is for the MK4 but will need altering for the frame.
I also have the alloy end can with the supertrap discs that Steve says will get you down to road level with the blanking disc in the end.

Let me know as your dyno time awaits

all the best Chris

Thats kinda true Chris, I am not fortunate enough to be of the disposition that would allow me to enjoy 'casual racing' sadly!

The pipe is only required for testing on t' dyno, I'm sure I can lash up some temporary brackets for that. It will be interesting to see if Steve is right, and what effect it has on power.

acotrel · Apr 14, 2015

When we talk about racing solo motorcycles, there are only three main types - TT bikes - the old style air-cooled singles and twins and triples, GP bikes - smaller four cylinder bikes and two strokes, and Superbikes - large four cylinder bikes and some water-cooled motored bikes. If you run the three types separately in five capacity classes each with a slow heat in the morning and a fast heat in the afternoon, you have thirty races in a day. If you permit riders to compete in the capacity class above, everyone gets plenty of rides, and the races would be pretty much a level playing field.
I suggest it is important to get full grids to maximise circuit use - 'more bang for the buck'.

SteveA · Apr 15, 2015

Fast Eddie said:
I went to watch the kick off meeting of the British Histroic Racing (BHR) Club at Mallory Park on Sunday.

They now have a pre 1972 up to 750 class, to go alongside the exisiting pre 1972 unlimited class. I don't know why, but the grids for both were very low.

The BHR rules state that machines must be from parts 'of a type available at the time'. For example, Triumph T140 engines are allowed as they are deeemed 'of a type avaialable at the time' (ie you could get a T120 and a big bore kit... which is what a T140 is).

What am I waffling on about? Well, as most of the fast triple boys seems to prefer the CRMC... it seemed to me that whether you've got a 750, 850 or 920+ Commando racer / cafe racer / barn find kicking around, there's an ideal chance to get some good track action!

Apart from the abundance of scooters (they race in the club as well for some bizzare reason) the padock was its usual friendly 'hot bed of good ideas' kinda place !

The atmosphere was so good that it nearly (I said nearly) spured me into action!

Jus sayin'

I have sent entries for BHR Lydden and Cadwell......will be busy with CRMC the rest of the year. Actually CRMC Pembrey had several 750 Nortons running in F750.....mainly because the French guys came over.....and they plan to be at Cadwell....

I shall run mine in 1300 twins at Cadwell to keep Alan company! CRMC F750 is very competitive with one Honda 4 and lots of triples, but the young guy who was French F750 champion last year was doing a great job in 4th consistently on a circuit he had not ridden before.

I understood that Tim Woolley (Triple) was a driver hehind there being a 'F750' class at BHR. Does need the numbers to keep it on the card I reckon. One issue for Commandos is that most people have not been building 750s!

Fast Eddie · Apr 15, 2015

acotrel said:
When we talk about racing solo motorcycles, there are only three main types - TT bikes - the old style air-cooled singles and twins and triples, GP bikes - smaller four cylinder bikes and two strokes, and Superbikes - large four cylinder bikes and some water-cooled motored bikes. If you run the three types separately in five capacity classes each with a slow heat in the morning and a fast heat in the afternoon, you have thirty races in a day. If you permit riders to compete in the capacity class above, everyone gets plenty of rides, and the races would be pretty much a level playing field.
I suggest it is important to get full grids to maximise circuit use - 'more bang for the buck'.

Only three main types of racing motorcycle?!?

Now... I don't know what motorcycle racing is like down under... and I agree that segregation of anything depends upon ones assumptions and definition of things... but if you take a look at the myriad of classes catered for by BHR, you get a lot more than 3 types!

They do so to apeal to a broader audience. Often numbers are low, so they combine classes during the same race.

All in all I believe it is a good set up, my only anoyance being that half of the padock seeemd to be occupied by scooters. Call me what you like, but it just detracted from the ambience IMHO.

acotrel · Apr 15, 2015

I think there is room for scooters and bucket racing as well as juniors racing, however not at normal road race meetings unless they compete in the defined capacity classes:
Ultra lightweight
Lightweight
Junior
Senior
Unlimited
And the problem of racing four strokes and two strokes together must be addressed especially in the smaller classes. To my mind scooters etc. racing are the same thing as sidecar racing and truck and utility racing - RUBBISH.
As I said - those 5 capacity classes and the 3 types of bike raced separately with NO DATE RESTRICTIONS in fast and slow heats :
TT bikes
GP bikes
Superbikes

pommie john · Apr 19, 2015

acotrel said:
.....
And the problem of racing four strokes and two strokes together must be addressed especially in the smaller classes. ....
Superbikes

This topic is about racing in the UK. The issue of 4 stroke and 2 stroke racing was addressed decades ago by giving a different cut off date for two strokes. In Period 2 , two strokes have to be made before 1967, 4 strokes by 1972.
This means 750 kawasaki 2 strokes and Suzuki water bottles don't race against Tridents and Commandos.

Seeley920 · Apr 19, 2015

If you take a Classic bike (e.g. 930 Triple) out in the Post Classic class, you will race against TZ750's, 1100 P&M Kawasakis etc, but they wanted to ban the triples from the class, because they didn't like being beaten by "that old bike that's too old for our class". Who cares, I've beaten TZ750s with my 750 commando, you just have to ride a bit harder :shock: We actualy enjoy racing against the "newer" bikes