TALES OF THE ALTERNATIVE TT
WE’RE ALL WELL aware of TT history. I followed it as a kid (as I’m sure many of you did), learned about the early races and went there as a punter. In the 1980s I was lucky enough to cover it at a journalist for about three decades until I left MCN in 2012 to take up a role in classic motorcycling. I was there at the height of the Joey Dunlop era, saw David Jefferies’ all-too-short reign and delighted in being around for John Mcguinness’ success after success.
Racing on the roads has always fascinated me, and it’s a real joy, delving back to learn more about its history – but it was only recently, thanks to Amy Herl and Ivar de Gier, that I became fully aware of the Italian TT which was first run 100 years ago. They’ve brought alive the scraps between Nuvolari and Varzi and the rivalries there must have been between the Italian manufacturers, including the lesser-know firms like Bianchi, Frera and Galloni, as well as the legendary factories of Moto Guzzi and Gilera. I found the Circuito del Lario feature (see page 68) absolutely fascinating. Hope you do, too.
This month’s issue also includes a tale of true intrigue – Ernst Degner’s defection from the former East Germany to the West, which included taking MZ’S two-stroke development secrets and passing them to Suzuki. The communists considered it to be industrial espionage and tried to get Degner banned from racing – you can read the background to the entire engrossing story, and its eventual outcome, on page 32. CB’S John Westlake had lunch with John Cooper to talk about his amazing racing career. Everyone recalls Cooper’s glorious Mallory Race of the Year victory over Ago and the MV Agusta, but there’s so much more to the career of ‘Mooneyes’, including his MCN Superbike success, that Ontario 250 race win and MCN Man of the Year accolade, underlining just how popular he was, and still is, with the fans.
To end on a sad note, however, another rider who earned great popularity with the fans was French Canadian Yvon Duhamel. He delighted us with his antics on the 750cc Kawasaki triples in the 1970s Match Races and Formula 750 events. We pay tribute to this spectacular rider and colourful character who recently passed away.
Enjoy the issue