Red Torpedo have a big stand at the NEC Bike show, up in the race truck area. They’ve got a load of mint new designs and existing classics, that aren’t even on the website yet (and we haven’t got pictures of the for blog). Once you’ve checked out the new gear go and see the Wall of Death in the next hall.
Bit of news on the riding front. I’ve agreed to ride for the Wilson Craig team. I haven’t signed, because I haven’t signed a contract for three years – it’s all been handshakes, but I’ll be on Hondas again next year. I raced for Wilson Craig back in my first proper year of road racing when I was with Uel Duncan. Cam Donald and Keith Amor have also raced for Wilson Craig.
I’ll have the same mechanics I was so happy with this year, and Shaun the Sheep will be working with us too. The key to the whole deal is that Chris Mehew will be tuning the engines and the 600 will be the same spec as Eugene Laverty used to win World Supersport races this year.
I meant to post this a few days ago, but we’ve been so busy at work. I reckon we could do with a receptionist.
Now then, cant beat a bit of British weather. I’m not designed for that Australian stuff. The flat cap will be out soon.
Pre-65 classic trials, now we’re talking. You can have your TTs, Megavalanch, cheese rolling or whatever, this is where it’s at. Good old George lent me his Triumph Tiger Cub to do the Poachers Classic Trial on. Now I’ve never done owt on a trial bike before so I had to do with my push bike helmet, work boots and overalls. That’s proper keeping it real, isnt it?
It was the most laidback meeting ever. Proper well organised and nowt too serious. And it’s taught me that your never too old. I got showed a thing or two by blokes thee times my age. I’ve got a lot to learn.
Late as usual, but Rome in a day and all that. I haven’t been doing much for me carbon footprint in the last few weeks. First I was in Italy doing some stuff for Performance Bikes, then back from there straight to Australia for ten days. Can’t complain though, it’s not real work. is it?
I got back from Australia at the start of the week and it was straight back to a bit of normaility in the truck yard. As for Australia, now that was an eye opener, not so much the place, an eye opener in the way I got taught how to drink by the Irish. I’m not really designed for a lot of drinking but I gave it my best shot. By ‘eck though, them Paddies can’t half drink.
It all got a bit mad one night and Ryan Farquhar got the better of me and shaved one of my sidies off. Not quite sure how it all came about but I feel a bit naked. Reckon I’m going to stick with the one though, a change is as good as the rest.
As for Perth, a bit warm for me I reckon, but that wasnt a bad thing when we went to watch the Melbourne Cup at Ascot race course. The birds there weren’t leaving a lot ot the imagination in the way they were dressing. I’m all for a bit of sun shine when that’s the result. The bike racing was a good laugh. It was a series called the Kings of Wanneroo. It was nothing too serious, all of us on road bikes. We all, even the locals, got a lesson on how to ride by Johnny Rea, fair play to the old boy.
After the racing I managed to get a look in Western Australia’s biggest CAT dealer. Now I thought I worked on big stuff, but it’s not in the same league as these massive V16, 2500hp diesels that go in the 250-odd ton dumpers. I’ve even got a picture of one as my screen saver, sad or what.
Oh, I saw a Rob North BSA triple out there, too. She was tidy, and it’s interesting to see how they do stuff differently to the Brits. Oh, and I saw a Saab wannabe. Don’t recon the flames are as good, though. Prisoner Of her Majestys Service, POMS, that’s what the Sussies call us. I thought they were prisoners, weren’t they?
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