RETURN OF A CHAMPION
As the saying goes ‘there’s life in the old dog yet’ and retired Lambretta racer Mike Davis is proving the point. After an 18 year absence he is returning to the track to compete in the 2017 BSSO championships.
Mike had a successful and dominating time on track during the 1990s. Having started his racing career in 1994 in the highly competitive Group 6 class, he quickly established himself as a front runner and won the class that same year. He went on to win it again in 1995 and 1996 as well as the Euro Challenge cup. His final season in 1998 saw him switch to the full bodied Group 4 class which he won and in doing so became overall ACU champion.
Not only is Mike a talented and natural rider but also a skilled engineer and fabricator. His Group 6 Lambretta had many design innovations which are still seen on racing Lambrettas today.
So what has prompted Mike to return to the track nearly two decades later? Apparently, it all started as a bit of a joke between him and Andy Francis who has been promoting the newly established production racing class. In a chance meeting this summer Andy mentioned his nephew was building a Lambretta for the production class and asked Mike if he would like to ride it in 2017. Taking it in jest, Mike replied with: “You build me a scooter and I will win for you next season.” Still thinking it was a joke, Mike was surprised when Andy contacted him to tell him the Lambretta was ready to race at the last meeting of the 2016 season at Cadwell Park!
Mike competed in all the races that weekend and was not too far off the pace. Seeing it as a test of whether he was competitive enough and if he still had the motivation, he and Andy were both with the outcome.
As the BSSO production class establishes itself, there’ll be more riders on the grid in 2017, and ex-champion Mike Davis has already said he isn’t there to make the numbers up… he is there to win. This should make for an interesting season ahead and who knows maybe a few more retired racers may follow suit.
Editor’s note: Scootering will be keeping an eye on Mike’s progress this season and reporting back on his progress.