Steve, if you are referring to the SBR Norton that came over from NZ last year to the UK, they received dispensation to run that bike as it didnt comply to the UK racing rules in the entered classes due to the fuel rules.
Therefore they received no points for any of the races they ran, so didnt take anything away from the local guys.
You guys are more than welcome to come to to NZ anytime with your bikes as there are plenty of us here that run very similar specs and fuel as in the UK.
We would welcome you.
Regards Mike
I understand they gained no points, and they certainly impressed people. I think what they have done is upped the ante in a way that makes building or running a Norton less attractive, not more! At CRMC this year there is no 1300 twins class at all, Ironically I became the last rider to win that class! The 1300 Classic open class has 9 bikes gaining points after 11 races, no Nortons, an overbored Guzzi that looks post '72 leads. Two Seeley Weslakes have scored points. The F750 class has 2 Nortons gaining points, 11th and 12th out of 12 bikes (Triples mainly, this class used to be larger), one of these Norton riders is a championship winner, but mainly races with BHR, the other came from Sweden. Watson is selling (maybe already sold) his 1007. No one I talk to thinks that CRMC is a place to race Norton twins anymore.
Clearly this is not a reaction to SBR. But if the guys show again, they will most likely be the lone Norton based bike. I would also ask, who would come to New Zealand with a Norton when they have seen at first hand just how fast that package is. They would need to build a Methanol fueled bike and recruit a national champion rider before making such a trip. A UK spec bike would be a waste of shipping costs.
No one I know racing Nortons is well enough funded to either build the bike or make the trip.
It has to be recognised that probably the main reason for the demise of the Norton twin at CRMC (still hoping that some will show at BHR, maybe even me next year) is little to do with Nortons themselves, or Triples, and more to do with obscure Yamaha FZ600s and GSXR750s/VFR750s. As far as I can see, all classic classes are in deep decline at CRMC and the only growth is in 'Superstock 750' and 'Production', indeed Production is already saturated.
I raced a GSXR750 slabside with CRMC in 2011/2012, but was told to hand in my eligibility as the GSXR750 was 'unsuitable' for classic racing. Now they are back and make up most of the bikes (with VFR750s) on the 1300 grid which is combined classic and post classic. The cost of one of these bikes is often nearer to a TTi gearbox than a Norton twin motor so expect more of them. They are also now allowed to run 17" modern rubber, without tyre warmers, which means some of them are likely to slide into you on early laps and ride around you when the tyres are hot.
Me? Apart from being 64 and on the down slope rather than the up slope.....I am racing in France and Belgium this year. I will be at Carole at the weekend for the French VMA where there will be 3 Norton 750 twins and 2 Honda 4s in the 750 classic class that runs concurrent with 500s and 1000s. Gedinne in August will be similar, 750s will only run with 500s and but will add some Laverda 750s and maybe a BM for variety.
f the Redfern turns up at Gedinne, which it has before, it may be paraded rather than raced. It sure is pretty.