Martin Squires Automotive Illustration

Monday, 1 July 2013

VMCC 65th Banbury Run 2013

Well it soon comes around again, the VMCC Banbury Run, my favourite event of the year to attend and sketch. There is so many inspiring machines in fact way too many to take in in one day. As I was leaving I was still seeing machines that I hadn't seen already. The run is the largest gathering of it's kind in the world, as 600 pre 1930 bikes and their riders gather to participate in this infamous event.

For more information on the event please visit the website:

www.banbury-run.co.uk

1930 Scott Flying Squirrel 600cc

(Watercolour and Ink)

I've been meaning to sketch a Scott for a while and when I saw this Flying Squirrel I had to take the opportunity. Scott Motorcycles were the brainchild of Alfred Scott who pioneered the development of the two stroke engine and mounted one of these engines onto a Premier bicycle. Scott then went on to develop his own motor bicycle with a 450cc two stroke mounted in a triangulated frame. Scott motorcycles were often quicker that the more common four stroke machines of the time. When they entered the TT not only did the scott become the first two stoke to complete the course under race conditions, in 1911 Frank Philip took the lap record with a continuous average speed of 50.11mph on a scott. Scott then dominated the TT winning the event in 1912 and 1913.

1902 Quadrant Autocylette

(Ink)

I made sure I caught at least one very early machine before they headed off at 10am. This 1902 Quadrant is simplicity itself, pretty much a pushbike with a bolted on engine. Actually that down plays these bikes a lot as the frame was purpose built to hold the clip on Minerva engine which was a very popular engine at the time. Quadrant were based in Birmingham (UK) and were one of the earliest developers of motor bicycles starting in 1901. They pioneered suction inlet valves, hand oil pumps and direct drive, as well as a spray carburettor in 1904 and magneto ignition in 1907.

1924 Motobecane MB1

(ink)

Bought to the event on the back of a Model T pickup this bike then proceeded to loose the cover for the timing chain on the journey round the course, hence the sporty look of the exposed chain on the side.

1923 Excelsior Junior 150cc

(ink)

This is a very rare machine by the fact that it has stayed in the same family all of it's life. It has been passed down through the Standfield family from generation to generation. Raymond the current owner's grandfather passed it on to Raymond's Uncle who restored the machine.

Here's just a small selection of the huge amount of machines in attendance:

1913 Veloce

Well I met his bike but unfortunately I didn't meet the owner Pete Young who hails from San Francisco and writes the fantastic Occhio Lungo blog which reflects his interest in early machinery.

1921 Kenilworth

1904 Rex

Nice Can

1919 ABC Sopwith

1929 Calthorpe Ivory

1925 NUT

1930 O.E.C.

1926 Norton 18

1930 Sunbeam 8 in Competition Trim

1914 Royal Enfield 160

1930 P&m Panther 25

1926 Zenith 680

Alldays Matchless

(unknown year as it was entered as a Lagonda Tricar??)

De Dion Bouton Tricycle

(again this was entered as an 1899 Quadracycle?)

1914 Wall Auto Wheel

This intrepid fellow decided that the run itself wasn't enough of a challenge and decided to ditch the seat on his 1921 Kenilworth, well done sir!

1924 Indian Scout

1923 Harley Davidson

Here's some machines that weren't taking part but still caught my eye:

VW Flat Twin powered Norton Outfit

1930 Rudge Path Racer in the jumble

An earlier 1891 Humber Course Paris Brest

On the road outside of the site bikes there was still plenty to see.

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

DIRT QUAKE II

Well the second coming of Dirt Quake was a real blast I took an almost coast to coast trip to Kings Lynn Arena via London to sketch and spectate the phenomenon that is Dirt Quake. If you don't already know Sideburn Magazine host an event where they take over a dirt oval and let anyone and everyone enter their motorbike of choice into one of three categories, Street Tracker, Inappropriate Road Bike and Chopper. People enter all sorts of bikes into the event and it is a real blast to watch.

After last years event the Dirt Track Riders Association have been running a league and they were competing in their third rounds of this years season. It was really impressive to see the level on riding and competitiveness that the Association has achieved. If you haven't seen Flat Track Racing before get yourself along to one of the 3 remaining rounds, you won't be disappointed.

As well as all this flat tracking action there was other attractions including Davros the Compare (with a Vic Reevesesque accent), a milk chugging competition and a huge pie being driven by a chef. Where else other than Dirt Quake would you expect to have such an experience?

Old Blu

(ink and watercolour)

Old Blu is a chopper that was original made in 1968 in the UK, this is a rare beast indeed as not many choppers were around in the UK at that time. It won Belle Vue twice in the 70's. The heart of the current bike, frame, engine, gearbox, tank and rear mudguard, is from the original chopper. It has changed a few times within it's life and is now owned in it's current form by Pete from Eat the Rich who has now owned it twice. The Frame is a '48, engine '60 and gearbox is '52/'53. I had no idea of the history of this bike before I sketched it but I'm glad I did now.

Dent in the oil tank comes from a previous bike where the exhaust cut through/

Rear wheel addorned with various stickers including a couple of naughty ones designed by Pete.

Love the decal and patina on the tank.

Rusty Nail Honda

(ink and watercolour)

This custom Honda run by Ross Herrod was flying round the track. I chose it because of it's simplicity, there's something about a bike that is assembled to ride and have fun that is genuine and I really respect that. The donor bike is a1980 honda cg125. The tank is from a honda cb125s the frame was modified to take the tank. The rear of the frame was chopped and the upswept loop added. The motor is a ccm 230cc. Other bits include custom seat, flattrack bars, standard 18" wheels, custom exhaust.