50th anniversary celebration of PK's first Avon Championship - CRMC Classic Festival - Donington Park - 1st/2nd August 2026

[Andy J]

For all race and track day fans this should be the event you want to be at in 2026 as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of PK's first of three UK National Avon Production Bike Championships back in 1976. This is the race series that helped cement the reputation of the Laverda Jota as the fastest production bike in the world and, in the UK, elevate PK and the Jota to virtual mythical status.
The intention is to have a large display of Laverda road and race bikes, with of course an emphasis on the 180 Jota, along with as many former and current Laverda race competitors as possible. There will also be an opportunity to participate in some of the 'parades' during the weekend, details of which will be posted in due course. The event is being supported by the ILOC.

 

[piranha-bro2]

PK looks like he froze on the bike and they lifted him off in that position, stiff as a board!! Cold day, judging by Roger Slater's(?) winter attire - hope those tyres are properly warmed!

 

[Andy J]

First round of the season, and yes, by all accounts it was pretty chilly. Didn’t stop him winning the race though!

 

[Andy J]

Well I'm all loaded and ready to catch the ferry tomorrow to head over to Donington for the celebration. The weather looks set fair for the weekend so hopefully everyone will have a jolly good time.
Only slight downer is one Jota owner who was planning to come has crashed his bike and buggered his foot, so he's a non starter and I've just discovered I've got one of Shaun's leaky petrol taps on the F500.

 

[The Sock]

Have you got a spare tap, Andy?
See you on Saturday morning.

 

[Andy J]

Have you got a spare tap, Andy?
See you on Saturday morning.

I have grabbed a couple of old taps and hopefully one will be functional. It might be the tap on the bike has ‘dried out’ and having been re exposed to some fuel might now seal up again. However, that might be wishful thinking.
The taps were brand new and only fitted when we were recommissioning my Viking chum’s F500 during the MGP/Classic TT in 2024. The tank was drained and hasn’t been used since then. The other tap appears to be okay. I should have time tomorrow when I get to the circuit to hopefully sort the problem.

 

[Paul Marx]

I have had no problem with Shaun's replica taps that I have on a couple or three of my bikes.
A lot of problems result from lack of use.
Paul

 

[piranha-bro2]

I fitted new Shaun's and one began failing to fully turn off - could have investigated but had a spare so didn't bother. Zero probs since in 34 years and 15,000km. Original Orlandis will work after sitting for years.

 

[growler]

I have had no problem with Shaun's replica taps that I have on a couple or three of my bikes.
A lot of problems result from lack of use.
Paul

I highlighted the problem a couple of months ago to just go and check, lack of use isn’t the issue (mine gets lots of use, at the moment we are 15 miles from the Ukraine border so just a ‘little’ ride but have just noticed forgot to turn mine off last night ahhhh! ) if anything it’s switching on and off all the time as seal moves then fails - Andy just strip it, seal will have miss-aligned

 

[Andy J]

Well the camp is set up and ready and waiting for everyone else to arrive tomorrow.
The leaky tap, didn’t fix itself so an old one has been fitted for now, and the ‘new one’ can be checked out later.
The two Robs have been busy at today’s classic track day. Rob M had a few issues in the afternoon with his carbs but managed to get the thing sorted in time for his last session, and Rob L is starting to get to grips with a track he has never ridden before. Here he is fitting a spare back wheel with a brand new tyre ready for tomorrow’s racing. Hope all goes well for everyone racing tomorrow.

 

[The Sock]

Looking forward to it.

 

[hooksey]

Well the camp is set up and ready and waiting for everyone else to arrive tomorrow.
The leaky tap, didn’t fix itself so an old one has been fitted for now, and the ‘new one’ can be checked out later.
The two Robs have been busy at today’s classic track day. Rob M had a few issues in the afternoon with his carbs but managed to get the thing sorted in time for his last session, and Rob L is starting to get to grips with a track he has never ridden before. Here he is fitting a spare back wheel with a brand new tyre ready for tomorrow’s racing. Hope all goes well for everyone racing tomorrow.

00 Heini.........you'll never win a race on that stuff! Go the full strength
Looks a Hoot

 

[Andy J]

Great start to the event with a good line up of bikes and a lot of happy owners that took to the circuit this morning for the ‘parade laps’. I was happy as a new tap, thanks Andy G, cured my issue.
Adam Davies is showing the new PK film, which looks a good product, and one of PK’s fellow Jota competitors in the Avon series has come along too.
Weather is great, let’s hope it stays that way for the rest of today and tomorrow.

 

[The Sock]

Good fun today, both on the track and in the display area.

 

[The Sock]

Huge thanks to Andy J for organising ILOC's Participation, this weekend. The coffee and bacon bap vouchers, access to the circuit which allowed already converted Laverda fans and the, as yet, unconverted to hear 180° Triples rorting around the track.
I was impressed by the number of neophytes who approached the stand, keen to buy a Laverda, and with a wish for more information regarding them.
Chapeau to the Members who turned up to support and get in some track time.

 

[Bob Broadhead]

I echo the thanks to Andy J for promoting the event in good time and his organisation, pub selection and making a great weekend.
Bob

 

[pf1]

I had to look up neophyte, funnily enough I had the same experience with my old Malaga Mutant 1200 in Portsmouth today. People like something different. I'm going to ask AI why they are worth nothing.

 

[Jota Rob]

Professional video of the racing and parading this weekend at Donington .
4 different Laverda clips I counted.

Cheers

 

[The Sock]

JotaRob, Andy J and Gary Bransgrove flying the Laverda flag.

 

[F500fan]

Just a few pics on Saturday from Donnington to keep us 500 owners happy !!
Was reunited with the F500 I'd bought 40 years ago around 1986 as a non runner for the princely sum of £750. Engine rebuild was cheap & cheerful back then, when buying a cam chain was as easy as going to the shops for a loaf of bread !! Sold the the bike in early 1990's & have suffered monumental seller's remorse ever since !! Thankfully it's now in the hands of Mr. Jessop doing what it was built for, getting in some track time !!
Great day, great bikes, great people, & good banter down the pub afterwards !! Wish I'd gone back to the track with the other reprobates & just slept in the car for the Sunday's proceedings !!