This year’s Vets Motocross des Nations(MXDN), held at Farleigh Castle in September, commemorated the 40th anniversary of GrahamNoyce’s 500cc world championship victory, when the then 22-year-old Hampshire man took the world by storm on his factory Honda, clinching the premiership crown at the penultimate round at Namur in Belgium.
His win followed a hiatus of 14 years since Jeff Smith’s back-to-back titles in 1964/65.
So it was a privilege to witness Noyce out racing at Farleigh, in the over 50s twin-shock class, onboard one of Bill Brown’s Maicos.
Noyce wasn’t the only famous face at Farleigh – an event which has become a star-magnet – as there was a whole host of motocross stars in attendance to celebrate the occasion, including Dave Thorpe, Steve Ramon, Sven Brugelmans and Italy’s Michele Fanton and Michele Margaroto, plus a host of other Grand Prix legends, with special guests and vice world champions Kurt Nicoll and Andre Vromans – the Belgian suitably attired in his Eighties factory Suzuki clothing.
There was a top-class entry in all classes, which produced some excellent racing throughout the two-day, 42-race programme.
American Mike Brown put on a class individual display, clinching victory in all of his races against some tough opposition, but it was not enough to give his team USA overall victory in either Twinshock or EVO class.
Denne historien er fra Winter 2019-utgaven av Classic Dirt Bike.
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Denne historien er fra Winter 2019-utgaven av Classic Dirt Bike.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Fabulous Farleigh
The ‘Vets’ ups its game in Noyce’s anniversary year.
Changing Direction
Sometimes a forced rethink pulls a project in a whole new direction.
Settling In… …To A New Home
Have you ever moved house or workshop?
Catalogue Correct
Sometimes the condition of a machine dictates what should happen to it.
The Famous James
Though the 'famous' tag is from an earlier period, James did add to it by being the first lightweight manufacturer to win a trade national trial outright.
Bultaco Pursang
Those rose-tinted glasses have a lot to answer for sometimes.
Three Not Of A Kind
There has been at least some progress in the workshop with our collection of machinery.
Showtime
As the International Dirt Bike Show moves into a new phase, we take a look at dirt bike shows from the past.
On Common Ground
What did Alan Clough, John Griffiths and John Done all have in common?
Class At The Castle
With the magnificent Drumlanrig Castle as a backdrop, how could the MX action be anything but classic?
