Bridgestone Motorcycle Parts Discussion Board
General Category => Events => Topic started by: RayK on March 16, 2016, 08:06:32 PM
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Any UK members attending the TT in the 1st week of June? If yes, maybe we can meet up to talk BS etc.
Cheers
RayK
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Ray, The vacation of a life time! I won't be there, but it's on the "bucket list". This is a paragraph from Bridgestone Cycle Company A Potted History by Graham Weeks (member: disc-valve). Here's a link to the story. http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=149.0 (http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=149.0)
Great article for anyone looking for BS history. Thanks, Steve
In 1965 the factory race department had designed the EJR-1 50cc water-cooled twin. This machine was very similar to the all-conquering Suzuki Grand-Prix competition in 1967. The 1966 EJR-2 was much improved, and an entry was made fro the Isle of Man TT that year -- following in the footsteps of Messrs. Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki. Unfortunately, the 1966 TT was delayed by a seamen's strike, and the BS team were unable to meet the new date. Instead, the three EJR-2 machines were demonstrated and tested at several circuits in Europe -- Brands Hatch included -- and were entered for the Dutch TT at Assen.
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Ray;
Sorry to say I had to scratch this year, so no Yank, but I'd like a rain check to get acquainted with some U.K. BS brethren. I'm resigned to recording and watching from here again. Enjoy, and post a few observations, please!
...KP
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Take we with you.... I,ll buy all the beer for the whole week ;D
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Ray,
You are in for the treat of a lifetime for anyone into bikes, it's up there with Daytona and Bonneville. Apart from the racing, the whole Island is crawling with bikes!! The racing speeds are astounding, 200 MPH+ in places on ordinary roads with a stone wall on either side :o. You could well see the lap record over the 33mile course raised to over 133 MPH !!
Do some homework on where to spectate from. Some good vantage points on the mountain section where you can see a reasonable length of the course, Parliament Square at Ramsey is also good for photos when they slow for a sharp right corner. You have to do a lap of the course by whatever means possible. Enjoy the whole experience and tell us what you think.
I last went in 1978 and was lucky enough to see Mike Hailwood make his biking comeback, winning the TT Formula One on a Ducati 900SS. Also saw Bill Smith (former UK, BS importer) win the Formula 3. It's on my bucket list to go again, maybe on the GTR when she's up and running. It's do-able as I live not too far from where the ferries sail at Heysham. At least I can tune in to Manx Radio and get a live race commentary, it's nearly as good as being there.
Have a great time, Brian.
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Brian, Ray;
I know they had finally built some good spectator stands at 2 of the popular viewing positions in town. I believe that's been done in the last 3-4 years. I personally would want to be in a pasture on one of the mountain course straights on at least one day, to see Dunlop or any of the other "guns" fly by at 200+. Speaking of Michael, does anyone know if he left BMW to go back to Yamaha?
...KP
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Thanks Brian, Steve, SRp and KP for your replies and information on IOM. It has been on my bucket list also, my wife and I are going with Bob (VJMC triple trophy winner with his 175 DT) and his wife and are looking forward to a great time on the island. Long journey from Eastern Australia. Sydney to Dubai to Manchester, then Liverpool on ferry to IOM. We will be on a tour led by Cam Donald who was a previous winner of the TT.
Cheers
Ray
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Fun fact: I just did the calculation and the route through Dubai is only ~2000km (1242 miles) shorter than going through LA. Pretty close to the opposite side of the earth for you Ray.
Hope you have an excellent time!
...bert
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Ray;
If you're staying overnight in Dubai, I highly recommend having dinner in the Burj Khalifa. Restaurant is on the 123rd floor. Not horribly expensive. View is unbeatable. If not, there are a variety of good restaurants at ground level next to it, and the water show from their fountains makes Vegas look like an amateur show. They do a couple of shows each night. Enjoy.
KP