In the Air
Thrills in the air really add to the excitement at The Pageant of Power
1933 was the last year that Rudge raced as a factory team with riders like Graham Walker (father to Murray Walker F1 commentator) Tyrell-Smith, Wal Hanley and Ernie Nott. The bike is fitted with a very strong six stud through bolt engine, one of 18 engines made that year. It was sold to the very sporting general public on the back of many racing successes from 1928 to 1933, the fire blade of the 30's.
This bike is a very limited edition based on world superbike ridden by American Ben Bostrom. The colour scheme is based on Bostrom's worls superbike colours to identify American flag stars and stripes. Only 155 models were made making this a very rare machine. The first 50 models had updated engines of higher spec than the others. This machine is number 50 of 155.
The Ducati Bostrom will be ridden by 8 times Isle of Man TT winner, Charlie Williams. Charlie was works rider for Yamaha and Honda is the 70's and 80's and was winner of the Lightweight Manx Grand Prix
Charlie says "After spending a couple of years in the commentary box I am looking forward to getting a run out on the track again, this year's Pageant will be especially different for me as I will be swapping my trusty TZ Yamaha and going along with the Italian theme by riding Peter Fleming's very special Ducati in the livery of Ben Bostrom. It is indeed a new venture because, as far as I can recall, I have never ridden a Ducati before. Luckily for me, ex world superbike champion James Toseland will be on hand to give me some tips"
The GP6 was the last of the 990 Moto GP bikes and more powerful than the previous years GP5. Sete obtained a top speed of 217mph on this bike at the Mugello GP in 2006.
This F07 is the last of the 999 models that were produced for World Superbikes and BSB from 2003. The F07 was one of the most expensive superbikes ever produced and is fitted with Marreli Marvel 4 electronics with launch control and traction. Leon took four wins and secured third place in the championship and attained the lap record that still stands to this day.
There were 57 Moto Guzzi Dondolinos built between 1946 and 1951 and those which were not factory race machines were sold as 'gentleman's racers'. This Dondolino was built in 1946 and was rebuilt in 1951 with the later Faenza engine. The Dondolino appeared in the Isle of Man TT Parade in 2005 and will be ridden this year by owner, Gordon de la Mare who has built up a wonderful collection of Moto Guzzi's over the years.
The Ala D'Oro (Gold Wing) was a production race bike sold in both 250cc and 350cc sizes and proved to be a successful racer for use at the Isle of Man and similar real road races. This Ala D'Oro has competed since the start of the 'new' Classic Racing Motorcycle Club in the early 80's as well as the classic class at the Manx GP which usually averaged over 90mph for the compete 4 lap race (over 150 miles). Andy Spencer, will ride this bike at the Pageant of Power, he last raced at the Manx GP in 2006 on this bike where he was lucky enough to walk away from a 90mph crash escaping with just cuts and bruises.
Thrills in the air really add to the excitement at The Pageant of Power