Vive Le Gentleman

Bradley Wiggins. He only went and gone and done it. And his racing saddle has a picture of him (nearly) surfing a Lambretta! G

Sammy Halbert Rips it up in Ohio

From our Ohio correspondent, Roger F. 

Sammy Halbert, National #7, came out to stay sharp at the short track at Western Reserve in Salem, Ohio this past Saturday. He is partially sponsored by the local H-D dealership, South East Harley-Davidson and is seeing a local young lady who filmed this (I believe) from the announcer's stand. Good quality, 4:16 long. I was in the next race for +50 and missed this, so thanks to Mike S. for the video. 

A rider goes down in turn 2 about halfway through the main, and when the leader comes up onto it, and slows suddenly. Halbert, running in second, is flipped when his front wheel runs into the leader's rear wheel, forcing a red flag. Sammy shows what he's got in the ensuing restart where he is lined up dead last....r 

I asked what bike #20x was and Roger came back with this... 

The first 3 racers are expert pros. This might be the Money class instead of Heavy Vintage. 20X is indeed a framer, but I think it's a Honda. His partner rode it in one of my races and won on it also. It's a jet. 

I asked the lovely Miss Patty to locate the picture she took for me of the framer that Halbert battled with. This particular shot was taken back in May however, and as you can see, it's a nice piece....roger

More from Roger later...

Old Empire Overture

Little film from Alec at Old Empire Motorcycles in Suffolk, UK. I've ridden that Enfield and it's great. He's building a run of ten of them - £10,000 each. G

The Poncho Returns

Ben practicing for another Dirt Quake? Perhaps, if the frame rails last that long.
This shot was taken at Anthony Co-Built's Rye House birthday bash by Doug Cain. Thanks Doug. G

Dirt track racing at Buxton tomorrow

Sunday, at High Peak Raceway (3 miles out of Buxton on the A53 towards Leek). 11-4 and the weather looks great. G

Vintage Grasstrack (is the new rock 'n' roll)

Lewis Wharton wrote about his dad's grasstrack racing career for Sideburn 10. He has now set up his own blog entitled Vintage Grasstrack.

Lewis is also bassist in the band Little Barrie. This is them below. This great, no-budget video (to a killer song) was shot by filmmaker and photographer, Lee Vincent Grubb who came along to Anthony Co-Built's birthday dirt track party, last week, and was blown away by his first encounter with flat track.

Apparently, the lady in the video, Mareva Galanter, is a former Miss France and also in the band Nouvelle Vague. Get the circles (ovals?) we're moving in! G
 

Iron & Resin Garage

 

Sideburn supporters and stockists, Iron & Resin have opened their shop in Ventura California. Go, buy stuff, hang out, get involved with their Hooligan Derby run what ya brung dirt track series (below).
Good luck fellas. G

Fantic Koala-Rara

Forget the Flying Squirrel, Combat Wombat or Porcupine, there is a new favourite mammal-related motorcycle name in my life. Thanks to Harley for the tip-off. This one's on Italian eBay. G

From the people who brought you the Fantic Chopper, I wouldn't want to meet their design team without a cattle prod in my hand. 
Harley, Isle of Man

Sideburn 11: It's here!

Just having a cup of Earl Grey after unloading 78 boxes of the gorgeous bastards. Sideburn 11 is taller, wider, same 100 pages, same excellent print quality, a secret message and a free sticker AND no price increase. Yep, we are as stupid as we look.
Order yours at the Sideburn shop. Thanks. G

Jim Odom Rides It!

We interviewed him for Trophy Queen in Sideburn 10. Here he is at Peoria. Wow. Amazing helmet, Bell Star, I think. G