This weekend sees the BSSO heading to Cadwell Park for the penultimate round of the BSSO Championships.
The two-day meeting will feature the usual mix of top-flight scooter and bike racing action, plus a special extra final race on Saturday afternoon. The BSSO, BSEC and Lee Hollick have been raising money for the Alzheimer’s Society this year; it’s a charity close to my heart, and no doubt the illness has affected some of your family members as well. It’s also slowly taking away some of the scootering legends of yesteryear.
To help raise extra funds, British Historic Racing have kindly given the scooters an extra ‘scratch’ race.
Race to Remember
The three-lap sprint race will give the riders a chance to have a bit of fun and maybe ride scooters they wouldn’t usually compete on. All riders will pay a few quid extra for the privilege, and the teams are also doing their best to raise some extra money.
AF Rayspeed
Fans of scooter racing and AF Rayspeed in particular will be pleased to know that Scotty’s Team DSC Racing will also be hosting a very special AF Rayspeed display over the weekend. Several historical AF Rayspeed/Team Rayspeed machines will be in the paddock and a few former riders will also be in attendance.
Jem Booth’s restored sidecar
Those special exhibits will include Jem Booth’s recently restored AF sidecar outfit pictured above. The outfit is owned (and was ridden by) Chris Minay at last weekend’s BSEC meeting in Teesside. BSSO’s Graham Tatton squeezed into his old AF Rayspeed leathers and clung on to the rear.
We had a sit-down with Ray and Ben Kemp last year for our AF Rayspeed feature. This is Ray’s Group 6 bike in one of his many scrapbooks.
As it is now, you’ll be able to see it close up at Cadwell
Legendary
Also on display will be Ray Kemp’s very own Group Six racer. This was the machine used as the original test scooter for the TS1 kits, electronic ignitions, and other innovations that helped change the face of modern scootering.
Rumour has it that one or two special guests will also make an appearance over the weekend. If you’re into your racing history and legends, you may well want to make sure you’re there…
Raising funds
As well as the BSSO and British Scooter Endurance Club, ace photographer Lee Hollick has also been chipping in all year. He’s been donating the money from photos sold to the racers during the season and has just put £1000 into the fund. The sidecar images in this feature are by Lee.
You can chip in as well, though. Here’s the link to Keith Terry’s Alzheimer’s Society GoFundMe page. The target is £2,000, but I bet we can help smash that before the weekend.
