CMRC Classic Motorcycle Festival Donington Park - 2nd August 2025

[Andy J]

An opportunity has arisen to take some of the race bikes to Donington Park the day before the Malc Cox Jota event at Willersey to display and parade. If anybody is going or is interested in attending and wants to give a hand, I may have a couple of spare entry tickets. Message or email me if you are interested.

 

[RGScott]

There are 2 Special Parade sessions for race bikes during a full day of racing on the Saturday. There is also a Laverda static display area. The red Laverda TTF1 will be on track with Andy at the controls. There is no noise or speed restrictions for these 2 x 7 lap events. This is likely to be the only time the TTF1 will be on track before being shipped back to Australia. Program is on Donington Park Circuit website.

 

[Andy J]

Now had a couple of offers of help, which is much appreciated.

 

[tagogt]

During last year’s Baskerville Hall event there was mention of a TTF1 being prepared for the Classic/Manx in August ‘25. I’ve just signed up to be a marshal at the Manx. Any idea if there’s going to be a Laverda team on the island ?

 

[Andy J]

During last year’s Baskerville Hall event there was mention of a TTF1 being prepared for the Classic/Manx in August ‘25. I’ve just signed up to be a marshal at the Manx. Any idea if there’s going to be a Laverda team on the island ?

Unfortunately not as various issues have delayed the project. However, I expect a few Laverdas will be circulating at Jurby during the mini ‘Jurby Day’ event organised by Andreas Racing.

 

[Tippie]

Great that you will be riding it Andy. Did Cathcart ever get the ride he was angling Scott for at the 75th?

 

[Andy J]

Cracking, but very long day at Donington on Saturday. Weather was good, especially by the afternoon/evening so stayed dry, which is the main thing. 'Sir Al Crashcart' is now a happy chappy, having completed twp track sessions on the Hodder TTF1. More to come later after we've been to Willersey.

 

[tagogt]

Getting bikes ready to race has a habit of overrunning. Hope it goes well at Donnington today, and perhaps it’ll make it to the IoM another time

 

[Andy J]

Lots of interest in the bikes at the weekend, and I am glad to say the TTF1 behaved itself for ‘Sir Al’. Apparently Scott’s already been contacted by Martin Hone to enquire who allowed Cathcart to ride HIS bike.
Unfortunately, the F500, which hadn’t been run for a couple of years, started but conked out just as we were due to go out on the circuit. Suspected blocked filters in the tank, as when we tried to drain the tank of the fuel I had put in it only wanted to dribble out.

 

[lavydoor]

 

[RGScott]

Donington no noise or speed limit parade laps, TTF1 completed 2 sessions on Saturday of 8 laps & 6 laps. Riders were Alan Cathcart & Andy Jessopp. A great day with a bike which still has original motor from factory & had not been on track since 1985, some 40yrs.

 

[Andy J]

And 40 years, almost to the month, that I raced my RGS Corsa at Donington in the ACU Production Championship. Therefore, I am more than grateful to Scott for allowing me the opportunity to relive (albeit briefly) that race.

 

[RGScott]

Here’s Andy taking the flag. I wonder what the result was 40yrs ago on the RGS?

 

[Andy J]

It didn’t go entirely as planned 40 years ago. First time out on the bike at Donington and quite a bit different to riding the 500 twin. Was slowly improving my lap times in qualifying when it started to rain. I decided to stay out for one more lap and suffered brain fade going into Coppice and ran off the circuit into the sand and then slid off into the tyres. Incidentally, I wasn’t the only one. The damage amounted to: dented pride, broken screen and rose joint on the gear linkage. In addition, there was a small hole in the fuel tank. I had forgotten about the latter until I reread my notes from the event. Obviously it’s a pure coincidence, but we also suffered a small fuel leak in the TTF1 at the weekend, as we discovered the tank had been rubbing on the outside carb and worn a small hole in the fiberglass. Spooky or what!
Anyway, back to 40 years ago. Having kicked the bike straight and fixed the gear linkage I was ready for the race. It was damp in places around the circuit, so having binned it once I took it easy. I also apparently suffered gear shift issues and finished 17th out of 24 starters, albeit a lap down on the winner.

 

[Gareth99]

Sorry I missed you gents at Donington. I was there on the Friday for the Classic Bike Track Days event, and at the CRMC "Special Parade" on the Sunday. Saturday I went to the Rugby club to watch the Lions game - should have come to Donington instead !

 

[Andy J]

I was nearly right about the blocked fuel filters in the F500 tank. However, it was slightly worse. On one side the fuel filter wasn’t even attached and the fuel tap was blocked solid with the insides of the tank. The photo shows some of the crap that came out of the tank - but I think it needs a deeper clean before it’s used again - and the petrol that looks more like tea…
Therefore, the carbs were removed and given a good clean and a tank was removed from one of my other 500s to fit on the bike ready for the ‘Jurby Day’ parades on Sunday.

 

[F500fan]

I was nearly right about the blocked fuel filters in the F500 tank. However, it was slightly worse. On one side the fuel filter wasn’t even attached and the fuel tap was blocked solid with the insides of the tank. The photo shows some of the crap that came out of the tank - but I think it needs a deeper clean before it’s used again - and the petrol that looks more like tea…
Therefore, the carbs were removed and given a good clean and a tank was removed from one of my other 500s to fit on the bike ready for the ‘Jurby Day’ parades on Sunday.

Jeez !! That crap wasn't out of UHT 601 tank was it ?? Hope we're gonna get some pics of the 500 at Jurby then ??

 

[chrisk]

I was nearly right about the blocked fuel filters in the F500 tank. However, it was slightly worse. On one side the fuel filter wasn’t even attached and the fuel tap was blocked solid with the insides of the tank. The photo shows some of the crap that came out of the tank - but I think it needs a deeper clean before it’s used again - and the petrol that looks more like tea…
Therefore, the carbs were removed and given a good clean and a tank was removed from one of my other 500s to fit on the bike ready for the ‘Jurby Day’ parades on Sunday.

Somebody has put a hex on your fuel by the looks.