Saturday, November 8, 2008

European racing, featuring Velocette....

Yes my archive includes racing Velocette photos from Europe...
When I lived in London in 1974 and 75, I scoured older photographic sources...S.R.Keig Ltd in IOM, Keystone Press Agency and Fox Photos in London, the daily newspapers...So following are some examples, probably not seen before, although all were in the business of selling their photos to the motorcycling press of the day.....

First photo is Les Graham #91, at Sulby Bridge, IOM during Junior TT, June 5 1951, Fox Photo.

The second is Les Graham #20, during the 1951 Berne GP which he won, 28th May 1951. There was some problem at the time over no official Swiss GP, as racing was frowned on, hence the Berne GP....Keystone Press Agency Photo

The third is a Craig-ny-Baa, IOM, 1939 and shows Les Dear #14 and Guy Newman #18, both on new KTT Mk.8s during the Junior TT. June 12th 1939. Fox Photo.

The final shot is during the Swiss GP at Geneva, 19th May 1948 with Artie Bell #38, Norton ( the eventual winner) followed by David Whitworth #8 Velocette Mk.8 KTT. Keystone Press Agency Photo.

Acknowledgement is made to Keystone Press Agency and Fox Photos for the use of the photos illustrating this blog.

Left click on images to enlarge.
































































2 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for this, Guy Newman was my great uncle - nice to see a photo of him.

David Richardson said...

Guy Newman, who was working as a independent motorcycle engineer during the 1950 / 1960's had his workshop at Flint Farm Ramsdean Nr Petersfield in Hampshire, but was later employed at Bert Tauton Motorcycles of Petersfield prior to retirement, owned a 1957 model 150cc BSA Bantam Major D3 (Reg No WPO 525 ) the motorcycle which he rode daily for his commute to and from work, meticulously restoring and maintaining both prestigious racing motorcycles, alongside our equally cherished regular daily use motorcycles.
His 'Daily Hack' the somewhat non standard BSA Bantam major D3 motorcycle (purchased by myself over 45 years ago, and kept in dry storage), would now benefit from a sympathetic engine rebuild, preferably by someone with the appropriate specialist skills to both recognise and appreciate the original tuning modifications undertaken personally by Guy Newman. Factors which now make this somewhat unique little BSA Bantam truly worthy of restoration. If you believe you could help in this project task then please let me know.

Contact : drichardson_uk@yahoo.co.uk