A Brief Chat With... Dave Curtis

Mention Dave Curtis and the image of a big Matchless being hurled around a muddy track in the golden era of scrambling springs to mind.

- Tim Britton

Scrambling in the 1950s meant big bikes being used on open tracks, and the riders who used them to their full potential going down in history as their exploits filled the weekly press.

One such a rider is Dave Curtis, whose name is synonymous with the Matchless make, not that he started on the Plumstead machine and nor did his early scrambling successes come on one either – those honours go to machines from Selly Oak’s Ariel concern.

The Matchless connection came after Hugh Viney had taken on the role of AMC’s competition manager. Viney was a top off-road rider, winner of the SSDT and ISDT team man, who knew a good thing when he saw it. The good thing at the time was Dave doing well on an HS Ariel.

“The Ariel was a good bike and I enjoyed riding it,” he said, “but they would only give me a 500 and it had to go back to the factory after every race. Viney offered me a 350 and a 500, plus they could stay with me and the factory would only have them back before big events to make sure they were right.”

Their confidence in the Oxfordshire man was rewarded when Dave won the 1958 British Scrambles championship. He said: “The deal with AMC was just for two bikes, which they looked after and I rode just exactly what was provided for me.”

It’s easy to forget how long just travelling to events took then.

“Luckily, in those days we often travelled together and I had friends or fellow racers to share the driving with. Les Archer, for instance, was a frequent travelling companion and it’s really his influence that got me into GPs in the first place.

“Yes, it was tough going at times, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”

What’s your full name and how old are you?

I’m David George Curtis and I’m 88.