Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125633
.... Paul Harber & JimWilson t '" Q" In England By Jim Wilson Monday, August fourth we got up at 7: 15 and went to Rivett's store on the outskirts or London. Paul bought two pairs or thin black gloves for Motocross and one pair of boots. I bought one pair or gloves for about four dollars. As I didn't see any boots that I liked we returned to the Greeves factory In Thundersley. There we worked on some paper work for Club dues and our applications for competition licenses from our Club which Is South End. In the afternoon John Pease from the factory took us down to a local shop where I purchased a pair of boots and some big socks all of which came to 8-16-3. I had to borrow 1-6-0 from Paul. Tomorrow we are going into London to get some riding insurance. We are to see Mr. Appleby of Muir & Bedall. John Pease and Chris Goodfellow do all or the work on the factory works machines. of where the QUALITY is BuUaces Only. 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They told us that the track which we will be riding August tenth will be all "whoopde-doos" about one mile around. This meet will be the Eastern Centre Championships event. We are not pleased with the thought of going into London tomorrow as we got lost there the last time through! ONE GUINEA INSURANCE We stayed at the Little Waltham Inn and now, Tuesday morning, we are on our way into London to get our riding insurance. We arrived there and found our trip was for nothing as the Insurance Agent told us we could get Insured at each meet for one guinea. Proud to say we didn't get lost this time and arrived back at the factory by noon time. We picked UP four new Greeves Griffons, two 250cc and two 38OCC. They have the new 18 x 4.60 Dunlop rear tires and surely look like real motocross machines! Today, Wednesday, August 6th, wernet John Pease about halfway out to the track where the Greeves factory runs earburetion and tire tests. We followed him out there and rode off and one for four hours. We found the track very fast with fourth gear sections, very long and some second and third gear sections. We liked the Griffons very mUCh. Both bikes handle well - especially in the rough! The 380 has extremely good low and torque and the new metallic clutches are very positive. We also found the 4.60 rear tires to our liking. They are exceptionally good in the sort ground. My new boots were quite slippery on the pegs but as the pegs slope Inward I managed to stay on. The Rivett's leathers that I bought here have stretched a little and are now quite a comfortabie fit. This will be our only opportunity to ride before the Championship races next Sunday. We find that we are a bit out or shape! STAYING AT THE INN We have decided to stay at the Little Waltham Inn. The nearest large town is Chelmsford. We are not sleeptng In the van as the bikes have to be unloaded and put back Into the van each night to make room for our sleeping bags. Also a bath and good bed and breakfast by the week is only about fourteen dollars apiece. Tomorrow we are going Into Thundersley and tryout the Laundromat on some of our soiled clothes • Then we are to go to the factory to set the timing on our four machines and check them out using the mln1ature timing light which my dad made UP for me. It is powered by a mercury battery and is very compact. We will be racing Sunday and will need good luck If we do well as we are out or shape and haven't gotten used to the new Griffons comPletely yet. On our way back to our quarters we saw a movie house showing "Mackennas Gold" and went in to see it. We have watched TV for about thirty minutes since we have been here. Today, August 7th, we took all our machines back to the Greeves factory and checked them, tuned them UP a bit and left them there. Then we went again to a laundromat. We don't get quite the same results as Mom at home but our clothes at least are much cleaner. We now have A.C.U, approved helmets and ow local Eastern Centre licenses came today. They are marked "Junior" •Guess we will start at the bottom. John Pease is the local champ here and is to ride in the next Six Day Trials. He recently placed sixth In an International event, which was held near here. We are to race this Sunday at Bury, St. Ecimons. FIRST ENGLISH RACE August 11- Yesterday we rode in our first races. They are much different than those we are accustomed to at home. The course was about one mUe in length, all rough going with no chance to sit down, but rather standing on the pegs all the way around. The heat races were three and four laps with about forty five riders in each one. The first event was for Experts and Juniors - Six Experts in each or the three heats. I placed eighth In he:.t number three. Paul was fifteenth in heat number two after a bad start. In the final or the first event! placed fourteenth after a bad start. This was twenty minutes plus two loops. Since we were late with our entries we couldn't ride event number two. Event number three was for machines or 498 to 750Cc so we couldn't ride it either. Event number four was for Juniors riding UP to I,OOOCc machines with about forty five riders per heat, four heats. Paul and I both drew the third heat which I won and In which Paul was eighth. In the final or the race Paul was running In eighth place and going strong until he turned his 380 on coming out of a tight corner. It jumped right out from under him, but he got right back on and placed sixteenth. I finished fourteenth. Event number five was for all comers UP to I,OOOCc, five heat races, forty three riders per heat. Paul was fourth in heat number five but didn't find this out in time to get into the final which came right after his heat race. [ placed ninth but didn't get to the final as only eight riders per heat went to final event which was eight laps. GIVE ME WATERI These events took place in ninety degree temperature with the humldltyvery high. When the races were over we could hardly load our bikes UP as we were so tired. Paul rode four races and [rode in five. These were the Eastern Centre Championship races and drew riders from quite some distance around. We are going to get larger water containers, two or three gallons at least, as we ran out or water today and had to borrow some. Monday, August 11th we received the two papers you sent and they were surely welcome. I almost forgot to write as we have been reading them from front to back and here it is eleven thirty p.m.1 We received our entries today for the September first races and yesterday we signed UP for the September seventh races. Neither Paul nor myself are sore after yesterday's ra.ces. I tore the sole loose on one or my boots when I caught the ground with the toe while my foot was on the peg. Today, August 12th we spent getting our machines cleaned up and tuned after our races Sunday. John Pease and Chris Goodfellow were working on Vic Allen and Arthus Browning's factory works machines most or the day. It was very interesting to see these two riders and their machines. Tomorrow night we plan to attend the Cinema and see " The Love Bug." This will helP pass the time away. We haven't watched much TV. Over here there are not quite as many channels as we are used to. Thursday, August 14th - Today Mr. Cobb or the Greeves factory told us that we could go to Halstead for a day's practice at the track there. The factory very generously pays for our use or the track. FIFTH OR BETTER Also Mr. Cobb said' that if either or us place fifth or better In any final event they will pay for another day at the track. We need this pract1ce as the competition over here is strong. We practice from ten thirty until we are tired with a break for lunch and back for Sl!Veral hours In the afternoon. We are supposed to ride In a meet at Ramsden Heath this next Sunday, August seventeenth, but as our entries were late we may only be able to ride In one event. August 15th - We practiced today at the track. It is located at a place called Wakes Come about two miles east or Braintree. The course was very muddy when we arrived which made usbappyas we need this kind or riding practice. We stopped for lunch and at twelve thirty it started raining. We rode in the rain until about three thirty. Paul does real well in the mud. Next week we will let you know the results or next Sunday's races. Hopefully, we will do better! Husqvarna-CZ-Penton Complete line of Torsten Hallman Racing Equipment Gripsters TT Scrambles Cycle Land Speedway Elsinore, California, August 9th Chico, California August 2nd Des Moines, Iowa 100cc Novice lOOcc Scratch Main Augu st 3, 1969 1st D. 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