NEATE RACING HONDA, ECS MAXI CLASSIC
Reigning European Classic Endurance champions Neate Racing are a family team. John and his sons Steven and Sam are the riders, while John’s wife Amanda and Steven’s wife Suzanna look after pit signalling and garage catering. The team’s main machine is a 1979 Harris Magnum MKI with a 1123cc Honda engine of the type used by the Honda Britain team in the early 1980s. “You wouldn’t believe how well it handles for an old bike,” said Sam, happy to get some racing in during a busy season spannering for BSB star Shakey Byrne. The team’s backup bike has another 1123 motor, with an ex-ron Haslam cylinder head, in an ex-ray Knight/fred Huggett P&M chassis.
The battery had to be changed halfway through the race, but the Magnum got back in the fray and despite losing third gear it took the win by four laps from the Suzuki of Team Taurus.
‘YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE HOW WELL IT HANDLES FOR AN OLD BIKE’