Anticipation or trepidation? 2021 doesnt have a very high bar set to beat 2020 but it might be a little understandable that some are not overly optimistic that this year is going to trip over its own shoe laces and fall flat on its face before it really gets started.
Regardless of any concerns, we are all busy in our respective sheds building and titivating our racing motorcycles ready for the 2021 season kick off. Which, as it happens, is starting to look less and less distant.
One benefit of idle minds during this lock down is; that the team member and motorcycle list has been growing. More on that to come.
Whilst we are looking forward, this will be a great time to introduce the 2021 sponsors, machines and riders to you. Despite the tough year we have just got through, we are thrilled that all of our sponsors have continued to support us into this new year of motorsports. Here are a few words on each of them.
A moment for our sponsors
A long standing sponsor of the team: EBC® Brakes are world leaders in friction materials that make you stop and go. This is proven by eye poppingly good brake pads and clutch plates that can hold the power of the best of our motorcycles.
Once we got used to the way our bikes now competently slows down 20 metres sooner than you initially expected, our riders are now confidently braking later and harder with these consistent consumables.
NGK Spark Plugs sponsor more than half of the motogp field, numerous WSB and BSB teams so naturally we are over the moon that they chose to continue to sponsor our classic racing team. Having some of the best spark plugs on the market in your motorcycle not only gives you the confidence to push hard but makes servicing and maintaining easier too. NGK's continued support of legacy spark plugs means that every bike in the fleet runs them and most even get the option of iridium for that extra spark plug bling.
From oil for your vintage tractor to paint for an oil tanker, Witham group supply the lot.
We make extensive use of their products including Motuls superb Factory line 800 2T road racing oil. We would genuinely use nothing else. In fact, read on below and you can see what Andy gets up to with a spray can full of sheeps wool grease, no really! Witham group also blend their own oils to the highest standards including race spec motor oils.
R-Tech Welding Equipment Ltd Having a provider of high quality welding equipment from another superb British company on board has been really helpful.
We have been making extensive use of the team tig welder with Andy now successfully gluing various metal things together with the help of former team rider David Bond and Heggs. Some of the thin wall exhaust expansion chamber fabrication has come out incredibly well, a testament to the accuracy of the equipment we are working with.
From custom builds, to emergency repairs; R-tech weldings superb customer service is only a phone call away.
When things are going wrong in the paddock, you don't have time to mess about with substandard tooling. Stahlwille are uncompromising when it comes to perfection in their tool design and manufacture. As a result we are left with no excuses when the heat is on (bar maybe blaming team mechanics Roy Dale or John Walton when they are out of ear shot). Having strong and dependable tools at your disposal is a must when performing maintenance in the paddock so these are a most welcome sight in the tool box.
The RAF central fund, who you might previously remember as the RAF Sports Lottery, is at the core of our team of sponsors for those who are serving. The fact that our employer has a fund entirely for our moral, well being and cohesion really shows their positive attitude to sports and is something we are all very thankful for.
The central fund itself is, in part, financed by the sports lottery which all serving and previously serving personnel can play. This gives you the opportunity to support great sports such as our classic motorcycle racing, get support for your own sporting endevours, and have the chance to win up to £10,000 every week. If you haven't already, you can sign up on this link or their Facebook page which replaces the old JPA way to play. More tickets means more support for all of us and more of a chance to win for you so if you do one thing today, check on your account to see how well you ae doing.
Team mate and team sponsor: Andy green has a wealth of hands on knowledge and understanding when it comes to suspension. He performs custom setups to bespoke suspension modifications to suit your riding needs. A supplier and fitter of K-tech suspension, Andy has already had a huge impact of some of the best performing motorcycles in the CRMC and GP Originals.
An unwanted product of racing is sometimes falling off and knowing we have a dependable bodwork supplier on hand is a great boost to the team.
Of late we do seem to be building a range of new race bikes and it is always a big day when those fairings with the teams cornflower blue already impregnated into the resin go on.
Tony Salt may have sold TST but he is still the UK's only supplier of Heidenau motorcycle road racing tyres. His continued support for the team has in no small way helped us make our achievement this season.
Talon engineering manufacture parts and import many others. Chains, sprockets and even wheel rims have been supplied to better our chances at victory this year.
Forcefiled body armour Protect a number of our riders with their world class CE approved motorcycling body armour. From simple back protectors to full upper body armour suits, the team has made use of it all and are proud to wear these quality, British made products.
Intro
Start of year 2021
#14 Green
Cadwell park was the only race meeting I made in 2020, followed by a practice day at Cadwell in October to run the Rotax and to take the RD250 out. The purpose of the day was to have a shake down.The Rotax made it clear that I needed to be about a foot shorter and 5 stone lighter. I’ll move the pegs and cut down after Christmas. Sorted.
The RD though didn’t fair so well. What I thought was a broken exhaust mount bracket turned out to be the frame had come away due to it rotting away from the inside. On further inspection it had broken the frame on the tube under the swingarm pivot and it had also broken the cross tube on the rear engine mount.
This is an issue of using what are quite possibly some of the oldest frames in the Classic club. Most of the earlier race bikes are new frames and engines etc. The 45 years old RD frame needed scrapping and a replacement finding. Lucky I had a spare in the shed.
The bike is now getting like Triggers Broom. Pre strip and rotten frame, You can clearly see the frame and the hole that appeared along with the crack which went all of the way through. The following pics are the frame mods to bring it into line with the original frame. Difference this time is that I am moving the coil mount location and I am also moving a few other brackets around. Footrest and exhaust mounts are in the same place.
The frame was powder coated by Classic Coatings Grantham. Andy, the owner, is also Ex RAF and does a fantastic job.
Witham oil provided the answer to the internal rotting of the frame. PROLAN is a lanolin product that clear cotes and stops the moisture getting to it. Comes in different grades, but they all smell like a sheep. Or so Bondy says…
The swing arm uses a needle roller bearing that I converted myself. This I greased up with a waterproof grease used for 5th wheels on a lorry. Again provided by Witham oil. It’s the type of grease you use on places that you never want to see again. I used it on all the linkage bearings that the road salt etc destroys on a road bike, also made good use of it on linkage bearings for off road enduro bikes I have serviced. It just doesn’t come off.
Swingarm and engine in. All torqued up with the exquisite torque wrench provided by Stahlwille. K-Tech Razor Lite shocks fitted, exhaust rubber mount pressed in and taper roller steering head bearings fitted.
WLooking like a busy spring ahead to get it back up and running.
#47 Hannaford
I am joining the team for 2021 and returning to RAF motorsports (in a manner of speaking) after a short break. I raced whilst in the RAF back in the 70’s and 80’s. I was the first recipient of the Stafford Coulson Trophy back in 1976. I returned to racing in 2016 after a 35 year gap!
Plans for this season include the GP350 Post Classic for over 55yrs on a TZ350D. In 2019 I was runner up to Mark Edge - there being no Championship in 2020. I will also contest the GP Originals 250 Championship for over 55yrs on the TZ250L.
The highlight of last season was winning the GP350 Class in the Barry Sheene Classic at Oliver’s Mount.
Finances and time permitting I will also take in some rounds in the Bemsee Blue Haze series on one of the bikes.
The 350 is nearly ready but there 250 is still to be attacked with meaning. The engine needs a complete overhaul after the canning I gave it at Olivers Mount.
#51 Kirkby
It now feels like an eternity since I last rode a bike ‘in anger’....Donington Park Aug 2019 to be exact. However, work still continues apace in my man cave in preparation for when we can safely get out again. I’m trying to stay ‘bike fit’ as best as I can on my trials bike and mountain bike in the meantime. The VFR750 RC24 is almost complete apart from a few minor bits, a paint job and setting up the suspension in preparation for racing with the CRMC Superstock 750 class. I won’t know for sure how well it is running though until I can either get it on a dyno or take it out on the track. Unfortunately neither of these options will be happening anytime soon due to the Coronavirus.
Improved lockstops fitted to the VFR
The Yamaha TZ350G is in bits at the moment. I’ve recently bought a (rarer than hens teeth) set of original forks for the bike which will mean that I can also compete in the GP Originals series this year. Again I’m struggling to get this job completed as I need to get new bearings pressed in to place which I can’t until the local restrictions are lifted. I will keep the 41mm RG250 forks that came with the bike as these will probably be better suited to the likes of Olivers Mount and the Gedinne road circuit in Belgium…..both of which I am considering this year. Like everyone I’m constantly trying to improve things on my bikes so have sent the ignition away for a check up to see if it’s working at its optimum. In the meantime I’ll keep plugging away at the jobs with my fingers crossed that we’ll all manage to get out before too long.
New forks waiting to be fitted
#61 Williams
It's short and sweet from me. A limited calendar last year meant the bikes got a run out and presented me with no real problems so I really don't have anything that needs doing. Oh the joys of not running a 2 stroke!
Idle thumbs however have got me shopping. Bad outside influences from within the team have been leading me to the the far corners of eBay so my relaxed winter could well change at any minute.
#41 Bartlett
I haven’t been on track since 2018 at Donnington Park, where I crashed mid race going into Redgate. The bike is still in the same condition it was when it left the circuit. I’m hoping that 2021 will be a better year.
The plan this year will be to race two bikes. Firstly, my Maxton framed RD250, which is a wonderful thing to ride when running well. And a ZXR400 which I’m hoping to go and collect once the COVID travel restrictions allow. Both will be campaigned with CRMC and there also seems to be some discussion in the group about competing elsewhere. I’m unlikely to make it to all CRMC events this year due to other commitments.
My garage space is tight at the moment but that situation should change in the next few weeks which will see the start of the Maxton rebuild. As always Grampians will be the supplier of choice for all engine parts. A brand new alloy tank will be fitted as my old one is beyond repair.
The ZXR should be race ready when I collect it but may require a little work. It’s not currently in team colours but that will have to be tackled when there’s a break in the season.
Fingers crossed we can get out on track soon.
#71 Rudd
Following the only outing at Darley Moor last year, the Yamaha RD250 and FZ600 are in good shape with only a couple of minor improvements to be carried out.
With the cancellation of all subsequent meetings these minor tasks should have been completed, however, the lockdowm situation has been stealing my motivation. As there is now an end to the restrictions in sight and temperatures in the garage improving, its time to get those jobs done. Here's hoping we can get racing soon.
#74 Heggs
After successfully breaking both of my bikes in a two race meet season I have had a good bit of shed time over the winter. The Honda VFR750 RC24 just needs a bit of cosmetic titivation and tyres whilst the Yamaha RD250 has enjoyed a full engine rebuild after it ate itself at Cadwell park (with lots of help from Classic Racing Green thank you!). If that wasn’t enough, my silly idea to build a third bike is taking shape round a Honda CBR400RR-L NC29.
I intend to race all of the above bikes this year at whatever CRMC race meetings we are able to attend. I won’t be competing all of them all year but will focus on what I am enjoying after a bit of silliness with three bike weekends. The idea of going to other events has peaked my interest more but clearly outside elements will restrict my ambitions as much as everyone else.
During winter my road going CBR400RR-L NC29 has enjoyed the odd trip out and a renewed interest in running/cycling is helping to keep the winter weight off. Designing and 3D printing the TZ chassis adorned RD250’s rear mudguard infill panel was also a bit of a highlight of winter. In fact I have managed to drag quite a few of my team mates down the 3D printing path so keep an eye on what other bits of our bikes were made by a robot in our spare rooms.
Thankfully, with all of this work going on, team sponsor Stahlwille have been taking good care of me with an uplift of new tools. After years of making do with cheap tools it is a bit of an eye opener when even the most simple of tools is made by a company who actually put some thought into it. I could go on, they are really rather good, but I'm sure you all really want to know what Woodward has to say.
I’m looking forward to getting out there and testing out the various modifications on my machines as the weather warms.
#157 Woodward
The Honda MT125 is just as it was when it finished Knockhill last October, all ready to go but not particularly quick, especially with my 14 stone on it. The Honda VFR750 SuperStock , with the exception of waiting for a digital fuel pump fit and fitting the EBC discs/pads, is ready, although it needs some serious attention to its suspension because it just handles oddly. Unlike the Honda VFR400 NC21 (Production class) last year, which handled very nicely but just didn't make any power. Virtually everything on it has been changed and still no go, I now have 3 x VFR400s in the garages and 2 extra frames and engines, so after some “fault diagnosis by replacement” procedures I should hopefully end up with one race, one track and one road VFR400. This will happen once the RDs are built.
That just leaves my trusty ZXR400, which is now eligible to race with CRMC in the new for 2021 Superstock 400 class. A general tidy-up and replacement of the front master cylinder should see it ready although the plan is for my son to race it with CRMC and I will use it for 1-off events such as Gedinne and/or Olivers Mount. With the costs of entries, compromise has to be made so I’ll probably only ride the MT125, ZXR400, VFR750 in singular events (Bob Mac Memorial for one), and race the RDs in the CRMC classes and see how we go with the rest.
If you want to stay up to speed with the ups and downs of the team you cold do worse than to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
For our longer reads, you are already in the right place. THis is where we post our race reviews and other articles on Blogger.
If you want some nail biting viewing, we also have a YouTube channel. So far it is a list of videos gleaned from our various members and other racing disciplines in the RAFMSA but expect some original content soon.
The Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) offer live timing and have race results going back years so if you can’t make it to come watch the action you can still stay up to date.
All serving RAF team members race under the banner of the Royal Air Force Motorsports Association (RAFMSA) or as associates for our Veterans. If you are serving and wish to get involved with motorsports you can find all the contact details you will need on the RAFMSA website or get in contact directly with us.
Finally special thanks go to the companies who continue to support us:
Royal Air Force Motorsports Association, Royal Air Force Central Fund,
EBC brakes UK, NGK spark plugs UK, Stahlwille UK, Classic Racing Green,
R-Tech Welding, Ragged edge racing, Talon Engineering, Forcefield body armour,
MCA Leicester, Spencer Racing, Tony Salt Tyres, Witham group Motul, PJMphotography, Speedsnap, Hel performance brakes and individual sponsors:
Symon Woodward: Mick Abbey tuning.
Andy Green: New Era Restorations
Comments
Post a Comment