TR3OC Beezumph Rally

The TR3OC Beezumph Rally


Beezumph Home	1970 Bol D'or Trident	Beezumph 2007 17th & 18th August

Somehow the summer is upon us again, which means that Beezumph plans continue apace. Again this year track tickets have flown out of the door with TR3OC Members very quick on the uptake to ensure spaces in their chosen class. The Entry Level Class is again well-subscribed, which is very gratifying as it shows that there is a need for this no-pressure beginners class. Sidecars too have applied in sufficient numbers to provide a decent spectacle. Indeed, Chris Vincent asked whether we would like him to bring his URS…

Track Sessions
Beezumph 2007 will follow the same format as, well, the previous sixteen. There are four track session classes on Friday, Entry Level, Classic, Intermediate and Expert. Saturday there are also four: Touring, Fast Touring, Quick and Race. Added to these will be two sidecar sessions each day.

Again this year we have a fantastic array of interesting machinery lined up to attend, amongst which is 'The Wheelbarrow' - Mike Braid's Arter Matchless, the very first machine in the world to have cast alloy wheels. With its Peter Williams-designed wheels, who could have seen it as the predecessor of the now-customary wheel design? Another Brit first. Get a photo of Peter (misty eyed, believe me) standing by this, his favourite, machine.

As is customary, it goes without saying that there will be a respectable number of genuine Rob North Triples on site, including Steve Brown's, Ron Chandler's two and Mick Fletcher's machine. Note that both Ron's bikes are BSAs but one is badged as a Triumph as it was when raced in the 1970s. John Young will be giving Son of Sam an airing on its rightful place on a track (as opposed to the motorways of Holland…) and Glenn Roberts' Harris T150 will be there again - watch for Ron Chandler giving it the good news. Mike Braid will also have his BSA Daytona 750 Rob North, 1972 John Player Norton and 1971 Boyer Seeley Triple (making three Boyer Triples at the event this year), and Brendan Ryan is lending us his Piper Triple. Mick Hemmings has decided to bring both his Triumph 500 Twin racers: the ex-Percy Tait GP machine and his Gary Nixon Daytona replica. Norman Miles - his first time at Beezumph - will be bringing his Miles-Three; Martin Russell his BSA Rocket Three. The Club's P1 prototype will of course be on show and available for inspection.

Perhaps the highlight of the show is the 1970 Bol d'or Triumph that the National Motorcycle Museum will be bringing to the event, especially as Tom Dickie and Smart (the 1970 winning riders…) will be there too. Bill Crosby will be surrounded by a swathe of London Motorcycle Museum machines, including Pete Bates' Proddie BSA Rocket Three, the sister 1970 Bol d'or bike. Their SOHC Rocket Three will be displayed and ridden on the track. Don Hunt has indulged us again by providing the unique Bolide for our adoration.

There is a healthy entry of AJS 7R machines, G50s and Manx Nortons, so everyone with an affection for big singles will go home happy, especially as Jerry Summerfield is bringing along his beautiful Manxs, with some accomplished riders who will probably show the bigger capacity machines the way round the track. Interestingly, we have received a sizeable Seeley entry this year, maybe inspired by Colin Seeley's book? Norton's Rotary engine will be represented, and I can tell you that the midnight oil is being burned by at least two exponents.

It goes without saying that there will be more Triumph and BSA pushrod Triples at Cadwell than anywhere else in the known universe, and you are sure to find an example of every derivation know to man. Plus a few that aren't, as George Pooley is on hand…

Damian Searby will be arranging the X-75 Hurricane dept., so if you have one - contact him. (e-mail him at dpsearby @ tiscali.co.uk ) The Moto Martin Club guys are coming back for a second attempt to outhandle those in 'Intermediate' Friday, and Peter Haylock will be bringing 'a few' of his Rob North racers along for inspection…and use.

The sidecar sessions are again being held this year, and have been well subscribed. Watch for Chris Vincent on the URS and Derek Plummer on the ex-works BMW outfit. Pay particular attention to the unique Rotary Norton outfit, and perhaps make an effort seek out their display with their spare engine.

Off track
But what of the off-track action? As usual, there will be plenty to see. There's the London Motorcycle Museum display, plus our own George Pooley has a few tricks up his sleeve. That's maybe why his jumper is baggy? This year we have arranged a Rally Sign In tent - ably manned by Sam Milner - by the petrol pump, where Club merchandise and TR3OC promo material will be available. Next to Sam's emporium will be another tent with unlimited free tea, coffee, biscuits and soft drinks available for all, where our Beezumph Guests (aka Luminaries) will be drifting through.

This is where, if not yet on first name terms, YOU can meet and greet the men who gave you a reason to live in the 1960s, and 1970s. It was either get a tent, or give everyone a big yellow sunflower badge saying "Hi ! I'm Les Williams" or whatever. Yeah, too grim to contemplate. Nick Simpson (complete with yellow sunflower badge) will man the Baby Burko and dispense tea and sympathy, so don't be shy.

The Guest List for Beezumph 2007 is impressive. Signed up so far we have Percy Tait, Arthur Jakeman, Les Williams, Tony Jefferies, Tom Dickie, Frank Perris, Ron Chandler, Peter Williams, Mick Grant, Ray Knight, Pete Elmore, Alastair Laurie, Ron Barrett, Paul Smart, Bill Fannon, Fred Swift, Steve Jolly, Graham Sanders, John Cooper, Steve Brown, John Woodward, Don Woodward, Chris Vincent, Norman Miles, Tommy Robb, Allan Robinson and Mick Hemmings. Oh, and I have invited Paul Sample - creator of Ogri - and have offered him the use of my Norvin…

On the domestic front, we've arranged the extra shower block again plus (some more!) Portaloos. Barry the Hot Dog Man will again be on site from Thursday, and the outside bar will certainly be operational Saturday and not just in the evening, but most probably Friday too this year. The bouncy castle is sorted, and the Triples Autojumble arranged for the Friday evening. Club Machine Registrar Steve Rothera will be available for dating inquiries, as will Pete Churchill for technical assistance. For those who have pre-booked Rally Tickets, the Beezumph BBQ Battalion are all fired up (sorry!), the Band is booked, and a new-style Beezumph enamel badge sorted. If you have pre-booked, don't forget to let us know if you'd prefer the veggie BBQ option.

Remember that on the Thursday the MV Club are holding their track day, so anyone with machines not eligible for Beezumph may wish to contact organiser Mark Bridger (07989 358657 or e-mail mark . bridger @ organge-ftgroup.com ) and take part, as well as those not content with a mere two days on the track. On Sunday the VMCC Racing Section have their race day, so it looks like being quite an extended stay. Those in denial about returning to normal life (or those homeless by that stage) may wish to remain even longer as on Monday and Tuesday it is the Ducati Club track days…

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