championship so the 250cc bike for 85 was completely new. Racing two sizes of bike was quite a challenge as he had to switch between the two classes on race day, with the 250cc race usually being first. At Monza they were reversed and Freddie had to run from the 500cc paddock in order to take part in the 250cc race. The larger capacity bikes were more difficult to handle but in 250cc races Freddie’s main challenger was Anton 'Toni' Mang who made few mistakes, making the season a tough mental battle. 19 years racing had taken its toll on Freddie
and he was shot, in particular he had problems with his forearm. Indeed he never won a GP after 1985. He had an opportunity to race cars with Chip Ganassi and also went back to bikes for a while, but neither worked out satisfactorily. In a question and answer session with the
audience, Freddie was asked about today’s riders and responded that Marc Marquez has different
entries into corners than others and although he crashes quite often in practice this is due to him finding the limits of the bike and circuit. The electronics on today’s bikes are very advanced but the riding characteristics of the bikes haven’t changed much, the big chassis changes came in the early 1980s. The run-off areas on circuits are much greater today than in Freddie’s era. He still sees Kenny Roberts about once a year, although the relationship is difficult. He also added that the Honda NR bike of the late 1970s was nick-named the ‘Not Ready’ and in reality its four-stroke engine was behind the times. There was a clear affection in the room for ‘Fast’
Freddie Spencer, who had entertained us in his easy-going manner. That affection was reflected in the auction of a signed print at the end of the evening which, after feverish bidding, reached a final price of £400.
Gareth Tarr
BTM TOUR – THE GORDON BENNETT CUP RACE ROUTE
held in Ireland, when a 20mph speed limit and allied legislation banned road racing in England. Indeed, 2018 was the 115th anniversary of this race which was held in July 1903 with a distance of 327.5 miles. Then, of 12 entries, only five finished – first the Mercedes of Camille Jenatzy; second and third two Panhards, Henry Farman and Rene de Knyff; fourth the Mors of Fernand Gabriel and fifth Selwyn Edge’s Napier, which was subsequently disqualified for a push start. Gordon Bennett was the wealthy owner of the
T
New York Herald Tribune. Descended from hugely rich parents, he could indulge his interests with sporting promotions
sponsored by his Entrants checking the route (Neil Bailey). Gordon Bennett Race memorial (Neil Bailey).
he Brooklands Trust Members’ tour this year retraced the route of the first motor race
News
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