Arrived at 11:00am.
We've been coming to this meeting every year since 2009 (it's only been a "Festival" since 2013) and we usually start off in the Paddock.
But this year, just to be different, we've gone straight into the infield.
Down at The Esses, it's chaos.
Some folk are riding past on 350's, other folk have fallen off and are sat on the tyre wall having a nice rest in the sun, whilst marshals are telling them 'yer can't sit there mate, it ain't safe. Even more bizarrely, some folk are trying to take photos through the industrial grade safety fencing.
A 350 taken through the industrial grade safety fencing.
This is Paul Reed on his Honda twin.
Next stop: The Exhibition Centre.
Get a nice cuppa tea here, by the way.
This is an olde BSA, complete with drum brakes and a Japanese 4-cylinder engine (Kawasaki?).
The four Festival Guest Star Riders (not to be confused with The Black Star Riders) are doing some promotion for a well known Insurance Company.
From left: Ron Haslam, Niall MacKenzie, Steve 'that's number 93 Marc Marquez I'm taking about' Parrish (unfortunately just in the photo), and Freddie Spencer.
We've walked through The Exhibition Centre and are now half-way to Coppice where Vicky finds a handy gap in the fencing……….
……and takes a shot of the leading 500cc riders hurtling down the straight and under what would be the Dunlop Bridge if it was still there but it isn't 'cos it's gone (boo!).
Moto 3, eat yer heart out.
Intense battle amongst the 125's out of Coppice.
Coppice Corner.
Back in the day, i.e. 1977, this was the place to watch. Thousands would stand on the banking around this double-apex corner. But now there's so much run off and safety fencing that not many bother to make the trek. This is the first time we have watched from here since about 1990.
The marshals post on the inside has gone. Remember that classic shot of Jean-Phillippe Ruggia on the Gauloise 250 Yamaha getting his elbow down? Caused a right old stir. No-one had done that before back in the day. Now they all do it, and some modern riders even get their shoulder down.
All those memories in just one corner.
Walked back down to The Exhibition Centre again for another cuppa tea and a walk around the rest of the exhibits whilst the lunch break is on.
This 750-triple Kawasaki was very desirable back in the day.
Lots of power and acceleration but the handling left something to be desired.
The clues are seen in the spindly frame, woolly suspension and dodgy tyres.
Other than that, it was great! I would have liked one.
Howard is sat on a sidecar and The Press scramble (well me and Vic do) to take a shot for posterity.
It's a slow hot walk to the bank above the Craner Curves in time to see the start of the afternoon's racing and Ian Simpson dominating the 250/350 2-stroke race.
The 'bikes are an awful long way off.
Ian Simpson, a bit bigger, thanks to a zoom lens and a bit of cropping.
Pre-1972 Sidecars getting to grips with getting out of Redgate Corner.
In The Paddock now and we find Freddie fancying a go on a Norton. We've just had a quick chat with him but were both too in awe to ask him to pose for a photo with us.
Ah well, at least we can say we've spoken to the great man.
Hard-core two-stroke worshiper films choking fumes coming out of the exhausts of one of Freddie's NS 500 Honda triples. You gotta admire his dedication.
Garage begins to nicely fill up with two-stroke fumes as worshiper films on.
No, not that Spencer.
A Ducati we can afford?
All sorts of things to see in a classic 'bike paddock.
It's gone 4 now and it's time to get back home via the 'big shop' in Droitwich.
We haven't left Emlyn alone for this long since his op and we're feeling guilty.
Emlyn Towers at 8:00pm.
We've been home for two hours and he's ok. Despite his 6 o'clock meal, he's still hungry.
Which is a good sign, we guess.
Which is a good sign, we guess.
Some of it is in the bowl, some of it is on the floor and a little bit of it is in his gob.
'bout par for the course, then.
No comments:
Post a Comment