Triumphrat

TxTiger · 12-22-2009, 12:46 AM

I watched and recorded the Isle of Man that was run in July, and HD Theater, on whatever channel your dish is, has been re-running the events every week. If you get this channel, I strongly recommend watching the re-runs. I don't see any Triumphs in todays TT's, but I imagine back in the days when the British bikes ruled, so did the Triumphs in this event. The way these guys ride is unbelievable. The camera angles with the super high speed cameras gives you the feeling you're on the bike. The slow motion shots show just how much abuse the bikes, tires and suspensions take while allowing the rider to keep control.

I don't know, but suppose in the 60's the bikes ridden in this event were the cafe racers. Anybody know Triumph's history in this event, and anybody else been watching this?

burnhamt · 12-22-2009, 02:06 AM

Dude! I just watced it myself! Wow! That is just crazy! Steel nuts I must say! No 11 won tonight but all them guys have my vote! The HD really gives it a great look too!

Tim

epynt1050 · 12-22-2009, 04:33 AM

Triumph were a force in the production TT in the early 70's with the Triples and Malcolm Uphill is famous for a 100mph lap on a Bonneville in the same event.
For Triumph success in the main event, (senior/500cc or junior/350cc) you have to go back to the very early days, pre WW1.
The main British racing bikes were Norton, Matchless, Velocette, Rudge, BSA and AJS

Snakeoil · 12-22-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TxTiger

I watched and recorded the Isle of Man that was run in July, ...
I don't know, but suppose in the 60's the bikes ridden in this event were the cafe racers. Anybody know Triumph's history in this event, and anybody else been watching this?

A good friend of mine who lives here in the states now is from Ireland. His Dad ran the IoM at least 3 times. He still owns the Goldstar he ran. I'll see if he can send me pictures.

Rob

M.Guy.Vig. · 12-22-2009, 10:53 AM

Don't forget Bruce Ansty, who won the Supersport TT on a 600 Daytona a few years back. I was there, it was a proud moment.

SirDooby · 12-22-2009, 06:01 PM

Well, I must say that the TT is something to watch. I've been duly impressed ever since I saw V-Four Victory starring Joey Dunlop on the honda V-4 with camera mounted on his bike. He narrated a "slow" lap that nearly made me crap my pants. However, I still can't understand that accent. His nephew is winning at the TT and I'm struggling to understand. Thankfully I have closed captioning.

But wait, there's more! Right after the TT is Grand Prix Speedway. 70bhp, 170lbs no brakes no gearbox.
However, I may be a bit jaded having raced Speedway myself a few(a lot, actually) years ago. I rode British near the end. Westlake made a fine Speedway motor and won me a few races on sheer horsepower.
Bill

texjj · 12-23-2009, 10:23 PM

Unfortunately I don't get HD Theater channel. But I did see some clips on the web. Those guys almost need spoilers to stay on the ground they are flying so fast! Even when I was an indestructable kid in my 20's I wouldn't have been able to do that. Just amazing.

TxTiger · 12-23-2009, 10:45 PM

The helicopters can't even stay with the guys because of their speed, in excess of 160 mph for the more stock bikes, and upwards to 200 mph for the superbikes.

I can assure you that youtube doesn't do it justice. SirDooby is right, even watching a slow lap will make you crap in your pants, just watching. In fact, that's how I've explained this event to people that haven't seen it, that it will make you crap on yourself just watching. Man, I used to be crazy, or I thought, but this is absolutely no fear. One mistake and you slam into a tree, a rock fence, an embankment. Not good things for long term health.

M.Guy.Vig. · 12-24-2009, 02:09 PM

Believe me,if you think it's scary on the tv, wait until you see it for real. Nothing can prepare you for the sheer speed these guys ride at on very narrow, extremely bumpy, public roads. I've ridden dozens of laps around the TT course, and my best is around 35 minutes, and that was pushing it! The top TT guys are from another planet, as far as I'm concerned.

panda · 12-24-2009, 04:09 PM

I was never that much interested in GP type racing where factories produced no expenses spared special bikes. For me production racing ( even with a bit of rule bending) especially on real roads was much more real and relevant. I think but am not sure that Triumph won the TT in 1968-and 69 on 650cc bonnevilles ( one which was clocked at 140mph) and then five times in a row on the 750cc trident "slippery sam" entered privately after Triumph ceased racing officially.