Summertime

As I sit and write this it’s pissin down outside, not cold mind you but very wet. Tomorrow (Thursday) Some of us are going down to Donnington for the Norton day meeting, billed as “the biggest gathering of Nortons ever” I thought it would be rude to miss it so I just hope it fairs up a bit for the tedious run down. As we all know the Norton gathering is a bit of a publicity stunt to promote Stuart Garners new Norton enterprise, Stuart made his money in fireworks I believe so for his sake I hope its not all a bit of a damp squib! ( For our overseas readers a squib is a firework, and damp ones tend not to go off!)

Norton’s heavily publicised return to the TT with the RCW 588 was not a huge success, constant machine problems meant that it done nothing. Stuart Garner was quoted as saying

‘This is the first time since 1993 that an official Norton team has raced at the TT. We have a fantastic racing pedigree with the brand established over 100 years ago and our aim is to emulate the success Norton race bikes achieved particularly in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.’

‘The 588cc Norton race bike has been developed over the last year by Brian Crighton and the Spondon engineering team and we are confident that 2009 will prove to be a significant milestone in the history of this famous UK motorcycle brand.’

Now having raced at the Isle of Man myself and being very faniliar with bike failure on this demanding circuit it is in my opinion madness to go there with a bike which is not reliable or proven, the issue isn’t just about the loss of face whilst Norton try to get back into the limelight but of safety for the rider. Michael Dunlop is a talented rider as proven by his win in one of the 600 races but being young, and the son & nephew of TT legends he has something to prove, this and a unreliable bike could have easily turned to disaster, luckily it didn’t.

I honestly hope they (Norton) can get their act together quickly or I fear the bike will be quickly written of as a quirky homemade back yard creation with no place on todays race grids.

So we look forward to the launch of the new Commando (or do we?) I hope this weekend will extinguish my scepticism but I’ll not be laying down my deposit until I’m sure it’s a better bike than a well sorted 70’s Commando and that is a difficult act to follow as the five times Motor Cycle News Bike of the Year is most certainly the best bike ever made.

Apologies once again for missing our club night but George will keep you all right no doubt.

Events

26th 28th June, Applecross

The best roads in the world await you!

If you still have to book and If camping it’s advisable to pre book with the camp site on +44 (0) 1520 744 268 or e-mail: enquiries@applecross-campsite.co.uk . Please note that if you call and the people tell you to book on line then ask to speak to Alison (the boss) and make sure they know you are with the NOC

10% discount will be given as long as you let them know you are with the Norton Rally, normal rates are £6.50 per person per night.

The Plan is:

Saturday a meander around the coast road which is quite spectacular in itself leaving from outside the pub at 11am. I would like to take the opportunity to get a shot of the Nortons present lined up outside before we leave. We will stop for lunch at the Riverside Café at Lochcarron before heading back over the Bealach.

Saturday evening we have arranged for a Marquee to be erected across the road from the pub and we will be having a band to help dance the night away. The bar will shut at 12pm though so if you need any more make sure you have a stash beforehand.

For those staying over on the Sunday there are many places to visit all on normally quiet and picturesque roads.

Please note that the costs of this are being funded by the branch and we are not charging to attend so no moaning (Complaining) about no badges / T Shirts / or anything else you think you should get for nothing!!

Other Events

8th 9th August, Preston branch, Tarleton.
anyone interested please get in touch with George, george1045@hotmail.co.uk or tel 07742852057 so numbers can be sent and places booked.

International Rally Austria.

Alex & I are leaving on the Tuesday 21^st of July from Newcastle and returning on the 28^th from Ijmuiden taking in the second weekend of the Rally.

Begonia Rally August 28 – 31 Flanders Belgium , always worth a visit . The iste is close to many WW1 battlefields and to the historic town of Ypres. For those of you who have yet to travel to Europe with your Norton this is the ideal event as the distance isn’t much and is a great way of trying out driving on the right!

Details at;

(http://users.telenet.be/noc-fb/)

Let me know if you fancy any of these events.

And Finally

Fi & I just had a brilliant trip across 12 countries and 2 Continents (we were in Asia for two days) just under 5000 miles and finishing at the superb BBA Café racer meeting in Belgium. Thanks to our hosts especially Geert Callens for looking after us and to Guy & Karin and Marc & Mieke for coming along to see us on Saturday night. I’ll do a full write up soon

A prizewinner at the BBA, hopefully it may be at Applecross!

The Small Print

The views and opinions contained within this publication are not necessarily those of the NOC or of the branch but are probably mine as I wrote it.

No one accepts any responsibility for anything, if you have a good time don't say I didn't warn you.

Gino Rondelli

June 2009