Motor Sport

[Bianco]

OK, this is my favourite sport mainly because in my younger days I indulged a bit here and there. I raced motorbikes for a year or two on a 250cc Aermacchi bike. I did enjoy it but never really reached the podium if you know what I mean? You needed huge funds to win races which wasn't very fair I reckon.

I then competed in Trials riding for about a decade. I rode virtually every weekend mainly in the South of England. Boy was I committed? Trials riding is sort of controlled riding over obstacles usually natural like trees, hills, rivers and ponds. Points are added for touching the ground with your feet so the rider with the least amount of points wins. Simple eh? NO!

I then drifted into Enduro racing which took me to other places but mostly in Wales. Enduro riding is a bit like rallying on a motorbike but not using roads that much. So it was muddy, wet, sweaty and generally fantastic fun. But, you did have to be fit to ride constantly for a day of three over very creative terrain indeed.
I'd love to return but my body says NO!

I'm now just an armchair sportsman but I know where I'd rather be.

[superwoman]

Much safer to be an arm chair racer hun!
My dad used to race in the iom TT.
Unfortunately this also killed him - but i've always been a keen follower of the the sport!
My dad used to come 1st place a lot and i've lots of his trophys. Barry Sheen (if anyone remembers him) used to push me about in my pushchair lol.
ahhhh the good old days!

[Bianco]

Ah, Barry Sheene, I remember him well, (showing my age now )
I used to watch him regularly at Brands Hatch, Mallory Park etc. He was a character that excited everyone who watched.

I could name many other racers from that era but he was a showman who played to the crowd. He was flippin good at racing a motorbike too.

I won a couple of (humble)trials awards back in the eighties and he presented me with the trophies, no pictures I'm afraid to say, but he did liven up the celebrations that evening.

So sad when he died just a few years ago of the big 'C' though. I think everyone was surprised he lived long enough to retire in glory to Australia. He lived hard and fast and left many memories for the many thousands who idolised him.

.

[Bianco]

It's great to see young Lewis Hamilton doing really well in his first season of F1 driving. Pity he couldn't manage to win at the British Grand Prix, but coming third is is still brilliant for his first time.

I hate it when there's so much hype for a new sportsman. I feel he's heading for a fall to bring him back down to earth. I hope my instincts are wrong.......