Vincent, JAP 8/80 and Triumph Sidecars at Gillman Speedway - October 2013

October 14, 2013 by Gillman Media

Vincent, JAP 8/80 and Triumph powered machines will feature in the British-European Sidecar class in this year’s Gillman Classic Championship on Saturday night, 26 October.

Eight bikes will take part in the class championship while another two Vincents will do demonstration runs. Both have a connection with this year’s tribute rider, Neil Munro. One bike is the “Wingfield Whizzer”, Neil’s final bike, which will be ridden by another former Australian champion, Ken Walker from Victoria. The other bike is the Kev McEnroe Vincent which competed in races against Munro in his early speedway days, first in the hands of Bruce Kelley and then Kev McEnroe. McEnroe’s son Rory has recently restored the bike and will ride it at Gillman.

Victorian Peter Tolley will ride the restored Jon Heaviside (former Victorian rider) Vincent 1000 in the championship races but will face stiff competition from riders on lesser powered, but nevertheless very quick bikes, in particular former North Arm Speedway stars Jim Irwin and Ricky Schonfeldt on a 750 Triumph. Clinton Crabb, the son of another former North Arm star, Nipper Crabb, will also be mounted on a Triumph.

Three riders – former Rowley Park riders Tony West and Dave Langley, and Victorian Doug Cotterell  – will be riding JAP 8/80s, while Geoff Baran will be on his 830cc Norton, and Moz Pridham will be on a 600cc BSA/JAP. Although he’ll be riding the lowest powered bike, Pridham is an exciting rider to watch and should be in contention for a rostrum place.

Each rider will have three heat races with the top four point scorers qualifying for the final to decide the championship placegetters.

Other classes on the 43 event programme will be JAP/ESO Solos for riders aged over 50 years, 2 valve Solos, 4 valve Solos, Japanese engined Sidecars, Post Classic Sidecars and Three Quarter Midgets.

The gates will open at 4 pm and there is free access to the pits for several hours to get a close-up look at the bikes before racing starts at 7.30 pm. Racing should finish at 10.30 pm.

There will be a social event, open to the public, on the Friday night (25 October), with BBQ and drinks available for a nominal fee.

Main photo: British-European Sidecar class action at last year’s Gillman Classic Championship meeting.