Paddock Gossip
Mallory’s efforts for the Bonanza, loads of Classic TT news and Spa fall under Malc’s watchful eye this time.
With all the elements for a great weekend of motorcycling nostalgia, the sun-kissed Mallory Bonanza ticked all the boxes for the large crowd of enthusiasts that made the journey to the friendly Midlands track. Saturday saw the quieter road machines on track, and there was no shortage of people wanting to enjoy the short, but challenging, Mallory Park circuit, providing a motorcycling history lesson for the spectators. With no noise restriction and no chicanes, Sunday was very much a case of feel the noise. Among the inevitable four-cylinder Honda ‘lookalikes’ there was some truly historic race ware, none more so than the Cagiva two-stroke four from Dean and Martyn Simpkins’ collection, which TT Riders’ Association president Alex George exercised, and the original MV three, from the same stable that Dean got to gallop in the Past Masters’ parade. And with a relaxed, open paddock there were stars aplenty for the fans to chat to and get their memorabilia signed by. Adding to the entertainment was a round of the British Sidecar Championship for modern outfits, which proved a great spectacle in the close confines of Mallory Park. And if the sidecars where spectacular, the Honda Step Thru races were off the scale, with one former Grand Prix rostrum man describing them as the best part of the weekend. Mallory Park’s Stuart Hicken, Natalie, and their small team have done a great job of creating a real spectacle at one of the UK’S favourite circuits, while keeping it friendly and accessible. Mallory Park really is the ‘Friendly Circuit’.