The Lansdowne Motor Cycle Series

I took this photograph at McLean's Corner on the first lap of the Lansdowne Motor Cycle Series at the SeeRed meeting at Donington Park in September 2005.

Leading is Tim Jackson on his 1958 500cc Matchless G50. The other identifiable riders are number 1, Duncan Fitchett on a 1961 500cc Molnar Manx, and number 4, Chas Mortimer on a 1961 500cc Manx Norton.

Matchless G50

The programme of the SeeRed meeting at Donington Park in September 2004 says this:

Four wheels good... but two wheels just as good

FAST FLOWING CURVES IDEAL FOR HISTORIC MOTORCYCLES

It's not just historic race cars at Donington this weekend. SeeRed is privileged to host round five of the 2004 Lansdowne Classic Series for classic motorcycles - a race series dedicated to preserving the sights and sounds of 1950s and '60s grand prix motorcycle racing.

There's a maximum capacity grid this weekend and among the riders will be several who actually raced in period. Authenticity extends to having push-starts, unfaired machines - unless originally fitted - and encouraging riders to wear black leathers.

The line-up also features many of the top riders in historic motorcycle racing, with a promise of nail-bitingly close competition for both the 350cc and the 500cc class titles.

The Lansdowne series is organised by Richard Thirkell, who warmly welcomes you to the motorcycle paddock for a closer look.

This is the first corner, Redgate, on the first lap of the race. leading on number 9 is Tim Jackson on what is described in the programme as a 500cc 1960 Norton Matchless G50. The machine on the extreme right is the eventual winner, Glen English, on a 500cc 1961 Matchless G50.

This is the winning bike in the paddock after the race sporting the victor's laurel wreath.

Motor Cycles

The programme for the SeeRed meeting at Donington Park in September 2005 included the following piece:

'Golden bike era celebrated

Two-wheeled racing variety will once again be provided by the Lansdowne Classic Motor Cycle series. Two races, one on each day, will feature up to 40 racing machines from the 1950s and '60s such as Matchless G50s and Manx Nortons.

For the first time there will also be a parade of special bikes, including one of the six famous George Beale Honda 6 replicas, owned by Dennis and Derek Bunning: an iconic bike of the '60s.

Also 100 years of Velocette will be celebrated with the appearance of the 500cc Velocette Thruxton which won both the Barcelona 24 hours and the Brands Hatch 500-miler in 1966. Keith Heckles, who rode the bike to second place in the '67 Production TT, will race it on Sunday.'

Here are photographs of three of the bikes which took part in the races.

The 1958 500cc Manx Norton of Dave Beckett

The 1958 500cc Matchless G50 of Tim Jackson

The 1962 350cc AJS 7R of  David Lock

The colours of the number plates differ to comply with the relevant ACU regulations:

'The front and side number plates for each class of motorcycles are:

Class	Background	Numbers
F125cc	Red background	White numbers
125cc	Black background	White numbers
250cc	Green background	White numbers
350cc	Blue background	White numbers
500cc	Yellow background	Black numbers
Over 500cc	White background	Black numbers
Formula 400	Blue background	White numbers
Supersport 600	White background	Blue numbers
Formula 600	White background	Blue numbers
Supermono	Black background	Yellow numbers
Stocksport	Red background	White numbers
FII Sidecars	Red background	White numbers
Open Sidecars	White background	Black numbers (incl three wheelers)'