The classic king of Brands

The CRMC event at Brands Hatch on May 7/8 saw a plethora of machines come to the grid, with the Lansdowne races spiced up by some alternative machinery.

The Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) included the Lansdowne Classic Series in its busy 43-race (plus parades) weekend-long event at the ever-popular Kent track. The sinuous 1.2-mile Indy circuit often allows riding skills and sometimes bravery to overcome horsepower advantage.

The Lansdowne championship took to the track twice on each day of competition and featured plenty of close racing – especially among the leaders. George Thomas, riding Tony Dunnell’s Manx, and Mike Hose on the Ripley Land G50 both notched two wins and a third, but the Norton jockey could also add a second to his tally for four podium finishes.

Other notable performances included Mike Russell mixing with the cammy thoroughbreds on his rapid MSS Velocette, scoring a third overall in one race. Not far behind was Ben Kingham, his Vincent Black Shadow one of the few twins in the field and finishing as high as fifth, but undisputedly leading his class.

The CRMC’s race formats offer track opportunities for most bikes of any capacity from the classic era. As well as the ACU’s classic championship, the CRMC also had races for 350s and 500s with classes specifically for BSA Gold Stars. A meeting for all persuasions to relish!

Mike Hose keeps his G50 in front of the opposition at Druids hairpin.

After a promising second in a hard-fought first Lansdowne round Sam Clews (Norton) hit trouble and was forced to retire.

The Vincent Black Shadow of Ben Kingham finished as high as fifth overall in the Lansdowne races.