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Donald to ride for Norton at the TT
- Thread starter kernel65
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'Cameron having lapped at over 130.7 mph at the TT is sure to get the maximum of out Norton’s SG3 machine which has a high spec Aprilia engine with break horsepower up on last year in the superbike and senior TT races this year.
It’s a tantalizing prospect for road racing fans around the world seeing Cameron Donald and Norton teaming up for TT 2014. There is every chance Cameron can put Norton right in the mix in the superbike and senior races in recording a top 10 finish against all the best road racers in the world.'
So they won't be entering the 961 this year ?
It’s a tantalizing prospect for road racing fans around the world seeing Cameron Donald and Norton teaming up for TT 2014. There is every chance Cameron can put Norton right in the mix in the superbike and senior races in recording a top 10 finish against all the best road racers in the world.'
So they won't be entering the 961 this year ?
acotrel said:
It would be great if they were really entering a Norton, rather than an Aprilla. I just see this racing as a Stuart Garner's vanity project, when the company should be putting all it's energy into producing bikes and developing new ones. A small company at this stage of its development can't afford this stuff (bandwidth and money). This is one of the things that would put me off buying a 961.
It is claimed that the cash/sponsorship for the racing effort is coming from 'other' sources,
and is specifically for the racing effort.
Some would see it as developing a chassis that is race capable, for a future road model.
An excellent way to get this experience ?
"Built in the light of experience" as the old Norton racing slogan used to proudly proclaim...
and is specifically for the racing effort.
Some would see it as developing a chassis that is race capable, for a future road model.
An excellent way to get this experience ?
"Built in the light of experience" as the old Norton racing slogan used to proudly proclaim...
I think that using the IOM races as a development tool might have worked in the 30s and 50s, but now I reckon it's just a vanity exercise. The factory does not employ that many people, they and the CEO should be applying their heads to production first, development 2nd.
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WE STILL DONT KNOW WHAT A 961 WILL DO IN THE I.o.M. . Are they scared itll fall to bits or something ? . ' Race Proven ' ? . W T F , a Spondon Apprilla ISNT a Norton ,
though I supose its good enough for television . ? Why not drag the old ratarys out ?? . Theyre developeing them too , or is that another load of tripe .
though I supose its good enough for television . ? Why not drag the old ratarys out ?? . Theyre developeing them too , or is that another load of tripe .
Whilst it would/might be good to see the 961 racing, I'm sure I saw somewhere that SG reckons the current racing effort is to supply data and experience. Surely that warrants some brownie points, rather than the almost total negativity?
There's not a lot of point in a factory going racing unless your effort will provide (in no particular order), 1/ A competitive bike, and therefore a possibility of good results, 2/ Lots of technical data, which can be incorporated into future production machinery, 3/ Publicity. There are probably others. Unless there is a class which enables production bikes to race fairly competitively there's not a lot of point in racing a 961 in my opinion, what would it race against? Despite rumours and comments to the contrary that the current Norton Motorcycles is a vanity thing for SG, at the end of the day it has to make money, or it will go away. One of the ways to ensure a good future is to produce motorcycles that Joe Public wants to buy. To do that from a standing start requires that the company produces a competent production bike, which the 961 seems to be. Then they have to produce something else. Designs don't just fall off a tree into the lap of a factory. They must be researched, designed, developed, refined etc. In my opinion the current racing effort is an attempt to collect data for the future Norton Motorcycles production and should be applauded.
cheers
wakeup
There's not a lot of point in a factory going racing unless your effort will provide (in no particular order), 1/ A competitive bike, and therefore a possibility of good results, 2/ Lots of technical data, which can be incorporated into future production machinery, 3/ Publicity. There are probably others. Unless there is a class which enables production bikes to race fairly competitively there's not a lot of point in racing a 961 in my opinion, what would it race against? Despite rumours and comments to the contrary that the current Norton Motorcycles is a vanity thing for SG, at the end of the day it has to make money, or it will go away. One of the ways to ensure a good future is to produce motorcycles that Joe Public wants to buy. To do that from a standing start requires that the company produces a competent production bike, which the 961 seems to be. Then they have to produce something else. Designs don't just fall off a tree into the lap of a factory. They must be researched, designed, developed, refined etc. In my opinion the current racing effort is an attempt to collect data for the future Norton Motorcycles production and should be applauded.
cheers
wakeup
Why don't we see how Cam Donald goes in this years race, before getting out the cricket bats.
He is a racer of quite some note, so if he and the team can lick it into any sort of shape,
it is likely to have some serious credentials, especially towards a future production bike.
Nortons clearly need that sort of development towards making a serious sports bike....
He is a racer of quite some note, so if he and the team can lick it into any sort of shape,
it is likely to have some serious credentials, especially towards a future production bike.
Nortons clearly need that sort of development towards making a serious sports bike....
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chasbmw said:
Production seems to have stabilize so they are on to the 2nd part, new development.
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" Whilst it would/might be good to see the 961 racing, I'm sure I saw somewhere that SG reckons the current racing effort is to supply data and experience. Surely that warrants some brownie points, rather than the almost total negativity? "
:?
If I were in a position to buy a new ' 961 ' Id be wanting to know that ,
A : it wont fall to pieces if thrashed ( respectfully ) .
B : it wont try and break my neck , if ' pressing on ' .
Though a bit outside the title of the thread :?: or not , as it says " ride for Norton " and I dont see a Spondon Apprilla as a Norton , despite the tank logo ,
I would think getting the 961 in the public eye , with ' race proven ' road holding and reliability would be a prerequisite .
After all if dungy old ' unreliable ' :shock: :roll: 1950 T birds only crack the odd fuel tank surely the high and mighty can PROVE their Product ? ?
sure its a STUNT , not everybody remembers the T Bird as of the Ilk of ' the wild one ' though . The intermission films at the movies got through , unknowingly .
Perhaps theyd appear as the likes of this
is the object of raceing necesarrilly to WIN ,
or is it to prove the durability of the machine . If theyre doing development - were liable to see a v four up soon ? just like every body else in the game . Highly individualistic .
Im not sure what it actually shows , The ENTRANT Norton , yes . The Machine NORTON , NO . Im not sure that sends a constructive message as to nortons faith in its current product .
As ive said before , on the current track , a mildly reworked - as per the old P. R. regs , 961 - pipes , footrests etc , one would think would have no difficulty with a 110 mph Lap .
Brakes Suspension & Tyres should be up to it , I cant see why the rest wouldnt , and cant see why theyre not prepared to prove it .
If someone wants LOGICAL call to purchase one , where are they supposed to look . Image ? When I was a nipper , your actual NORTON was a Grand Prix proven related product .
This time theyd better at least see there Spondo Apprilla doest break BEFORE the Race . Results So Far O / ? . At least a 961 would prove something .
Only a spastic would expect it first in devision . But other than a spastic would expect it to finish honourably . So far , a great big Zero .
As to the one in N Z some time ago - it appears the crank wasnt up to it ??/ and the head wasnt particularly amenable to exagerateing the flows /
B.E.A.R.S. raceing would be a proveing ground , as would the Daytona ' Batle of the Twins ' if still extant .
As it was for the P-86 , albiet decades too late . A bit like the XJS , but still; well remembered .
Surely they should be doing PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT on their existing range . 30 years isnt an unuseuall production life ,
Derivatives of the Ford Kent engine were / are still in production . The B.O.P. / rover Vee Eight lasted that long ,
as did the renound XK engine series .
It may be cynical , but are we supposed to buy one on appearances ? and is it no longer suitable as a Future Product , as you seem to infer ?
Not to worry , theyll buy anything these days .
:?
If I were in a position to buy a new ' 961 ' Id be wanting to know that ,
A : it wont fall to pieces if thrashed ( respectfully ) .
B : it wont try and break my neck , if ' pressing on ' .
Though a bit outside the title of the thread :?: or not , as it says " ride for Norton " and I dont see a Spondon Apprilla as a Norton , despite the tank logo ,
I would think getting the 961 in the public eye , with ' race proven ' road holding and reliability would be a prerequisite .
After all if dungy old ' unreliable ' :shock: :roll: 1950 T birds only crack the odd fuel tank
surely the high and mighty can PROVE their Product ? ? sure its a STUNT , not everybody remembers the T Bird as of the Ilk of ' the wild one ' though . The intermission films at the movies got through , unknowingly .
Perhaps theyd appear as the likes of this
or is it to prove the durability of the machine . If theyre doing development - were liable to see a v four up soon ? just like every body else in the game . Highly individualistic .
Im not sure what it actually shows , The ENTRANT Norton , yes . The Machine NORTON , NO . Im not sure that sends a constructive message as to nortons faith in its current product .
As ive said before , on the current track , a mildly reworked - as per the old P. R. regs , 961 - pipes , footrests etc , one would think would have no difficulty with a 110 mph Lap .
Brakes Suspension & Tyres should be up to it , I cant see why the rest wouldnt , and cant see why theyre not prepared to prove it .
If someone wants LOGICAL call to purchase one , where are they supposed to look . Image ? When I was a nipper , your actual NORTON was a Grand Prix proven related product .
This time theyd better at least see there Spondo Apprilla doest break BEFORE the Race . Results So Far O / ? . At least a 961 would prove something .
Only a spastic would expect it first in devision . But other than a spastic would expect it to finish honourably . So far , a great big Zero .
As to the one in N Z some time ago - it appears the crank wasnt up to it ??/ and the head wasnt particularly amenable to exagerateing the flows /
B.E.A.R.S. raceing would be a proveing ground , as would the Daytona ' Batle of the Twins ' if still extant .
As it was for the P-86 , albiet decades too late . A bit like the XJS , but still; well remembered .
Surely they should be doing PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT on their existing range . 30 years isnt an unuseuall production life ,
Derivatives of the Ford Kent engine were / are still in production . The B.O.P. / rover Vee Eight lasted that long ,
as did the renound XK engine series .
It may be cynical , but are we supposed to buy one on appearances ? and is it no longer suitable as a Future Product , as you seem to infer ?
Not to worry , theyll buy anything these days .
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" This is a thoroughly deserved award and recognises the huge achievement that Norton has pulled off in building a bike in their British factory "
modern english ? ? , I probaly built more of my Triton , YES Id use the word ' Built ' refering to it , but in that context say Norton putting a Honda Engine
in a Mclaren chassis would make it a Norton ' Mclaren-Honda . I take it as an affornt to my Gullability .
Some rather memorable and much desired Marques used proprietary engines. Some people are known to mortgage the Grandchildren for the privilege of owning a Brough Superior, but it will not have a Brough engine, there are none. It will be J.A.P. or Matchless.
The early Vincents used Rudge Python engines and a few Blackburne engines. This was the case until the Vincent effort at the 32 IOM resulted in the failure of all/three JAP engined Vincent entries. After that Phil Irving entered the scene and penned the first in house Vincent engine, a 500 single. Eventually Vincent built machines that captured a great many world speed records ,one or two that have still not been broken ( Dave Matson, Vincent at Bonneville, world's fastest open motorcycle 220 +- MPH)
Years earlier, HRD himself, Howard Raymond Davies, built all of his bikes using proprietary engines. He went on to win the IOM riding one of these and still is the only person ever to have won the IOM on a machine of his own design and construction.
So carry on Stuart Garner. If History is any indication, great things lie ahead.
Glen
The early Vincents used Rudge Python engines and a few Blackburne engines. This was the case until the Vincent effort at the 32 IOM resulted in the failure of all/three JAP engined Vincent entries. After that Phil Irving entered the scene and penned the first in house Vincent engine, a 500 single. Eventually Vincent built machines that captured a great many world speed records ,one or two that have still not been broken ( Dave Matson, Vincent at Bonneville, world's fastest open motorcycle 220 +- MPH)
Years earlier, HRD himself, Howard Raymond Davies, built all of his bikes using proprietary engines. He went on to win the IOM riding one of these and still is the only person ever to have won the IOM on a machine of his own design and construction.
So carry on Stuart Garner. If History is any indication, great things lie ahead.
Glen
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Rohan said:
Sure they have, now a bunch of old ladies bitch about the engine source for a TT bike.
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Any Spare Stickers / please . 
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I don't believe it is so much 'bitching about the motor source' as it is a feeling of nostalgia for lost national pride. Even If Norton bought the rights to the Britten bike and built that, the feeling might be better. In WW2 the British and Americans defeated the Axis powers.
