A mainstay of American motorcycle sport for decades, flat track racing has only caught on in the UK relatively recently. There are now two series: the ACU National Short-track Championship and the Silkolene Short-track Championship, both of which cater for a variety of different types of machine ranging from moto-cross and enduro bikes to purpose-built flat-trackers. Back in the late 1970s though, there was another, ultimately abortive, attempt to establish the sport in this country in the form of the Strongbow Cider-backed series, most of the machines contesting it being Triumph engined flat-trackers. To drum up interest, the organisers had to have American stars present, and Kenny Roberts and Dave Aldana were flown over from the USA to show the Brits how it should be done. Works Yamaha rider Roberts had been AMA Grand National Champion in 1973 and 1974. In those days the AMA Championship was decided on both tarmac circuits and dirt ovals, Roberts’ mounts for the latter being Shell Thuet-tuned XS650/750-powered flat trackers with frames by Doug Schwerma. Facing a resurgent Harley-Davidson in 1975, Yamaha came up with one of the most notorious racing motorcycles ever built: the TZ750-powered miler. Riding this almost uncontrollable beast, Roberts scored one memorable win, at the Indianapolis Mile in August, before the AMA restricted machines to a maximum of two cylinders, effectively banning the TZ. Back on the XS for 1976, Roberts was becoming increasingly frustrated by his employers’ failure to provide him with competitive dirt machinery and at the end of the 1977 season he headed for Europe and the Grand Prix scene. Prepared by Kel Carruthers in the Yamaha race shop in San Diego, the flat track ‘demo’ bikes intended for the Strongbow series were tested by Kenny Roberts before being flown to the UK where they competed against the Triumph flat trackers at Haldon Hill, Exeter and other speedway venues. The vendor advises us that this example has not been restored and remains in ‘as last used condition’ complete with sponsors’ decals.
A mainstay of American motorcycle sport for decades, flat track racing has only caught on in the UK relatively recently. There are now two series: the ACU National Short-track Championship and the Silkolene Short-track Championship, both of which cater for a variety of different types of machine ranging from moto-cross and enduro bikes to purpose-built flat-trackers. Back in the late 1970s though, there was another, ultimately abortive, attempt to establish the sport in this country in the form of the Strongbow Cider-backed series, most of the machines contesting it being Triumph engined flat-trackers. To drum up interest, the organisers had to have American stars present, and Kenny Roberts and Dave Aldana were flown over from the USA to show the Brits how it should be done. Works Yamaha rider Roberts had been AMA Grand National Champion in 1973 and 1974. In those days the AMA Championship was decided on both tarmac circuits and dirt ovals, Roberts’ mounts for the latter being Shell Thuet-tuned XS650/750-powered flat trackers with frames by Doug Schwerma. Facing a resurgent Harley-Davidson in 1975, Yamaha came up with one of the most notorious racing motorcycles ever built: the TZ750-powered miler. Riding this almost uncontrollable beast, Roberts scored one memorable win, at the Indianapolis Mile in August, before the AMA restricted machines to a maximum of two cylinders, effectively banning the TZ. Back on the XS for 1976, Roberts was becoming increasingly frustrated by his employers’ failure to provide him with competitive dirt machinery and at the end of the 1977 season he headed for Europe and the Grand Prix scene. Prepared by Kel Carruthers in the Yamaha race shop in San Diego, the flat track ‘demo’ bikes intended for the Strongbow series were tested by Kenny Roberts before being flown to the UK where they competed against the Triumph flat trackers at Haldon Hill, Exeter and other speedway venues. The vendor advises us that this example has not been restored and remains in ‘as last used condition’ complete with sponsors’ decals.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
