Thundersprint 2010 (Pic Heavy)

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

Just got back from a lovely day in Northwich. Thumbs Up

Rode into town amongst a group of 20. Wherever you looked there were bikes. Followed a bike whos pillion was displaying a twisted thong Laughing

...well made us laugh.

£3 to stash the bike gear in the Memorial Hall. Sun was shining and temp was perfect.

This year they had Chris Walker, Danny Webb, Steve Parish, Jim Redman and Sammy Miller to lead the cavalcade through the town.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0113.jpg
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0120.jpg
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https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0154.jpg
#56 Rides into townhttps://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0149.jpg

Funny, but i only saw Ariel Badger(Wali) in the Paddock, yet my camera has captured him many times.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0174.jpg
Some needed a push https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0178.jpg

Over at the 'track' well carpark. Ice-cream on the grassbank and saw #3 lose it on the final lefthander. Fair play he picked up his bike to applause and waited for the ambulance (3 cracked ribs and a broken shoulder)
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0189.jpg
His ambulance arriveshttps://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0192.jpg

Danny Webb (125gp racer) popped some nice wheelies and lobbed his boots into a grandstand..why? search me as Chris Walker set the best time.
Steve Parish was on a new R1 and nearly made a fool of himself on his 1st run. (back end was well sideways)
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0213.jpg
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0204.jpg
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0211.jpg

Then the moment BCF was waiting for...#56 enters the circuit.
#56 gets a good start....#56 hooks into 3rd...his clutch disobeys...#56 in straw bales. (hopefully a full excuse will be posted Wink

)
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0229.jpg
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0231.jpg
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0233.jpg
Think he actually came 4th in his class Thumbs Up

We watch more lunatics zoom around and head for the Paddock.
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0219.jpg
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/DSCF0193.jpg

Don't know why, but i always get drawn to old bikes. I love modern sportsbikes don't get me wrong, but the sound of those Hondas (#4..Someone tell me the model please) ...Man... its a sound that quivers the air around it Twisted Evil

All in all a top day.
And Free.

Pat
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Ratmonkey · Nova Slayer Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Karma :

thanks for sharing that. Looked like you had a great day. I have to say that there is something about those Nortons, best of both worlds with true classic Norton looks but with loads of modern parts. Thumbs Up

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Current Bike - 2005 Triumph 1050 Speed Triple
Previous Bikes - Yamaha R1,Hornet 600, Triumph T595 Daytona, Kawasaki ZX6R, Ducati 600ss
Small Bikes - FSIE, RD50, RD125LC, Kawasaki KH125, Suzuki GP100, TS125X, DT50

Nai · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Karma :

Great pics, agreed about the Nortons, they look fantastic!

ms51ves3 · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Karma :

Kreidler

Ditto · Nearly there... Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Karma :

+1 for the Nortons. Remember seeing them at the NEC show.
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CG 125 > Bandit 600 > CBR 600 FY > Street Triple R

Sam_Y_93 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Karma :

looks like a great day, good mixtures of new and old bikes.

looks like a perfect day and good pics Thumbs Up

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Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

NickD · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Karma :

That Norton truly is a thing of beauty, every little detail is lovely.... but then again I right fancy that Beemer too. Drooling

Almost everyone I know has a picture of themselves, their Mrs or their kids with Chris Walker.... got to be one of the nicest guys in racing, always up for a pic and a chat. Thumbs Up

____________________
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Tear along the dotted line!

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

FalcoDaz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 10 May 2010 Karma :

Hi all,

This was my 4th Thundersprint weekend (I live not too far away so visit both days and have done since 2006.)

Saturdays are focused on static displays of some exotic, rare and beautifully restored/prepared motorcycles. Plenty of photographic opportunities and smaller crowds. Good access to some of the celebs (JT last year, CW this).

Sundays are getting more crowded. I noticed an extra grandstand this year on the first righthand corner of the track to cater for the increased number of spectators. The guest celebs are always good sports and enter fully into the fun, whilst there are some very serious racers taking part in the time trial.

A very good event and well worth a visit if only to see virtually every possible area parked on by bikes of all shapes and sizes.

cheers

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

I had a great Thundersprint.
Last year I slightly bent a valve on the cavalcade and could not start her for racing. This year I was a bag of nerves at four in the morning and no better when i got to the paddock at six. The weather was a lot better than predicted so we had no wet track, I enjoyed practice, it was relaxed and I treated it as practice and did not push hard but still took three seconds off my previous time, it felt relaxed and easy.
The cavalcade ( three 3 mile laps of the town on closed roads) was not fun as the police escort forced our speed down unlike last year when we were far in excess of the speed limit. My bike is not designed for traffic and i had to ride on the clutch.
When I got to the line in competition and dumped the clutch not much happened as I notched her up the box, I put her into third and then thought " you do not use third on this straight, Ohhhhhh shyte your clutch is slipping!" at this point the clutch bit and propelled me well past my braking marker resulting in me locking up the brakes on a dead motor and sliding into the bails.
Back in holding I ( actually my mate Guy, A bloke mechanicing for one of the other riders with some tools, and a couple of marshals) got my bike sorted whilst the other riders were taking their second of three runs so I got back on the line in time for my last attempt. The starter marshal ( who is a top bloke) called time control and told me to come straight back to the line and take a third run.
I tried a bit on run 2 and think that was my best time. I tried harder on run 3 but cocked the last bend and locked up causing me to go wide so I think although I rode faster my time was down.
As said earlier a good day and great to meet Pat ( the OP).
I have not yet looked at the results but I believe I got 4th in class and the clutch problem was down to the cavalcade ( as was last years bent valve)
Next year...... No cavalcade.
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Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Wali, did get the opportunity to knock fuck out that George Formby character this year?

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Pat, Number 4 was a 4 cylinder 1962 Honda 250 Mike Hailwood replica and my god was it loud!
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

Flip......
As annoying as he is I ultimately had to thank his crew as it was they who had some tools to sort my clutch. when I found myself with a dead bike in the same place as last year I had this awful felling of deja-vu.
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

"Turned out nice again" *thwack*

Shame you had trouble again mate.

Howling TerrorOutOfOffice · Super Spammer Joined: 05 Dec 2008 Karma :

What i found unusual about 'Forge Formby' was his ability to hang off the bike even tho he was in a straight line...oh and the Formby music on repeat ad nauseum outside his Tent. Apart from that he added a bit of flavour.

[I'm a wuss and slightly crappy...but] There is something inside me that wants to enter the 1980 CB250RSA in 2011. Laughing

Shame i don't have the balls or a spare bike should i wreck my only ride home. [doffs cap to Wali]

I have now added the Honda RC162 to my lotto wish list. Can't believe that a 4stroke could make such a beautiful racket. So that's what a 4x 62.50cc sounds like. Cool

Before i spoke to Chris Walker his wife was showing him pics on her phone and told him he was the fastest in class. With a bunged-up nose he said. 'I should think so'.
I told him i was glad he took it seriously.

Tonight i will be dreaming of 1962 Hondas...and Nortons.

Pat
____________________
Diabolical homemade music Bandcamp and Soundcloud
Singer songwriter, Artist and allround good bloke Listen to Andrew Susan Johnston here
The Harry Turner Project