SDR memories #2
Dear CR
I have just read your article about the Silver Dream Racer in the January/february issue. The memories came flooding back as I was one of the extras that were used in the film at the 1979 Silverstone GP.
I was asked at one of the race meetings I was competing at if I would be interested in turning up with my bike at Silverstone for the start of the GP weekend as an extra, I didn’t need asking twice.
So myyamaha TZ350E, a friend and myself turned up nice and early, arriving at the main gate, we were sent to the paddock where the film crew had set up camp. What an experience to see all the machinery of that time, including Honda’s comeback to racing withih theh 500 four-fstokek racer.
We had to go on the track and follow the camera car for a few laps, and after the car pulled off, we had to make it look like we were racing – not a problem to a group of young lads, this we did several times over the weekend.
What a weekend it was, riding at Silverstone in front of a Grand Prix crowd, watching Sheene and Roberts battling for the lead and getting paid for it – it couldn’t get any better. In this cutting from a magazine of the time (above), my bike is No 71. Also, I still have the 15-page instructions for the bike positioning in the film. I still ride with the classic racing club riding a Yamaha 250 in the same colour scheme as used in the film. Keep up the good work with Classic Racer. Martin
Purvey