‘It was 15mph faster than a TZ750’

Sparton rider Graham Wood recalls the giant-slaying British strokers

“I decided to go racing in 1974 with my Triumph Trident road bike. I got my licence, rode to Cadwell Park, raced, and rode home at the end. I realised I needed a proper bike and bought a Seeley Commando 850 off Roger Winfield – he showed me his trophies and I thought it must be good. In the ’75 and ’76 seasons I won championships and did national meetings, getting thirds and fourths against Yamaha TZ350S and the odd TZ750. The two-strokes were getting faster, though – a TZ250 was quicker than my 850 – so I had to go two-stroke. I bought a Sparton.

“I got it off Ian Ratcliffe. It had Suzuki GB forks and brakes, but blew to pieces first time out. I went to Barry Hart, who rebuilt it, and I had a bit of success. I was in the Shell Sport series against Suzuki RGS and having good results – once or twice I qualified pole. It was light, nimble, with a good powerband, and suited our tight, twisty circuits.

“Geoff Barry was developing the Phoenix 4, but was sadly killed racing his Yamaha at the Ulster Killinchy 150. I asked if there was a chance to try the Phoenix, which led to riding for Barry full time in 1978, on the 750 and his short-stroke 500s. The Phoenix was new, and we had issues: suspension, carbs, overheating... but it had massive potential. I remember the Race of Aces at Snetterton, on the old circuit with the massive Norwich straight, where it was probably 15mph faster than TZ750S. Here at Donington, I was with Ron Haslam’s TZ coming onto the start/ finish, and just powered past to beat him.

“The Phoenix was disc-valve induction, like Suzuki’s RG, and needed precise set-up – carburation was critical. It had very sharp power. Yam’s TZ had reed valves and was easier to set up, and probably one of the best engines for reliability, tractability... but the Phoenix was faster on its day. Ideally, we’d have developed away from the track, but Barton Motors couldn’t afford it. Barry had five blokes in an old chapel, and was racing Japanese giants. Someone to inject money would have made all the difference – who knows what it could have led to.”