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Junior Race listed the stars I used to dream of watching, plus a stock of emerging characters it was my pleasure to watch years after. John Storr contributed photos for us to copy, from his home in Canada, one in an early Eppynt Junior pulling off ‘retiring’, with just that written by him years ago on top. That plus one of George Brown was all John had of Eppynt. A later one has been added by us and shows John with the massive Mellano Trophy he received after a later Silverstone. John this 1952 season became the most admired rider, standing out and leading the likes of Duke, Doran, Kavanagh, Lawton, Surtees, Sherry etc., the list is extensive. John‘s emergence saw him take 11 first places on Britain’s airfield and short circuit race tracks. Cool , unassuming etc., etc., cliché’s abound but look closely and 3 rumoured approaches by works teams were politely turned down with John remaining to ride for Ernie Earles who had felt John initially needed and warranted his help. John never believed in ‘fancy tuning’ a good standard Norton, that is how he raced them, fitness though was John’s forte, plus making a good start. Making sure valves and seats were sound, timings accurate. John was to prepare a Ford V8 van to tour and race ‘the Continent’ racing and deliberately miss 1953 TT. Its so humbling to encounter methodical simplicity plus care and skill demonstrated on wet or dry going with proof it works. E Staley, C Ellerby, Bennett, Syd Barnett, Sandford, E R Evans, plus so many more excellent riders in a field of 26 starters that included a drenched cold and weary Kenny Dixon. John Storr 348 Norton riding for Ernie Earles took an early lead followed by determined and constantly improving C E Staley on his ex Graham Price 348 AJS. Norton team man D Bennett in third spot. C Ellerby fourth on a 348 AJS. next H L Williams 348 Norton. Sixth spot held briefly by Syd Barnett 348 Norton. All prepared to take a hammering from conditions that could make a Viking turn back or at least buy a brolly!. 10 Laps would be asking too much of my sort, six or eight laps of ‘the grass’ circuits seemed excessive. These characters were prepared to endure discomfort to pit skills against each other. Unlisted entrant Ken Holloway of Ross on Wye on his smart, quick, self prepared KTS 348 Velocette overdid things slightly to come a cropper at Dixie’s Corner as did his friend Derek Harrison on a 348 Norton. Derek’s Norton suffered forks damage and having been ridden to Eppynt had to be taken to the nearest Railway Station, from there home by guard’s van. Laps two and three were periods to settle and condition yourself to face an arduous stage where others had to be watched for mistakes or any slacking of resolve, first, second, third remained the same. Sandford then moving up to second Williams moved back to fourth, back again to fifth, and by lap six E R Evans 348 AJS fought determinedly to sixth place. Last lap saw a typical chase home from Sandford who set up the race’s fastest lap gaining slowly on John Storr who nevertheless came in safely well in front, an agreed worthy winner. Junior Race, 10 laps
Winner’s speed 64.89 mph. Fastest lap: C C Sandford 348 Velocette 67.39 mph. |
1952 pt7. The Junior race