PUB TALK

The all too infrequently used sidevalve HRD was exercised again for the Brackley Motorcycle Festival in Northamptonshire. Brackley has grown to be quite a major event, with thousands of visitors on a good day, although this year’s weather forecast was poor and kept some away. The main USP (unique selling point) is the way that Brackley permits the High Street to be closed, and barriers erected to produce a paddock and circuit where RealRacers can be demonstrated at speed. It is not the only attraction, as there are stalls, a fairground, and separate off-road display rings, club and manufacturer stands, etc. PUB even took advantage of the latter to try a couple of the modern 400cc middleweights for size – the need for an electric leg is making itself felt.

This year a new (to the event, PUB thinks!) guy by name of Sammy Miller attended, intent on demonstrating his Gilera four and ohc BMW, which he proceeded to do to good effect. PUB watched as ever-competitive Sammy followed a hot Vincent 1000 on his 500cc racing BMW. But following is not Sammy’s style, and within a couple of laps he closed in and then got by at the slow corner, no doubt to go