Eppynt history (16)

The Red Bugatti that frequently appeared on a piece of concrete well inside Dixie’s Corner was a massive discussion point for all, though no one really ever proved it was Eddie Stephens’s own.

J. Surtees Jnr. appeared in the 1952 programme and my approach brought an explanation from a polite, helpful now Sir John Surtees.  He chuckled and explained to me that his dad Jack was still then a force in British Motorcycle racing.  Also he had been told at Vincent HRD Stevenage factory where he worked that it was George’s job to be the works rider and he was just an apprentice on two pounds ten shillings a week.  I think we all get the point.

1953 the Coronation TT.  In early practice, Wilmott Evans approached a lower area flanked by a peat bog, clouds of steam billowed from one point, well off racing track, Wilmott stopped, leaned his bike safely then investigated, to find a young rider pinned beneath a 350 BSA.  He helped the lad to get his bike to safety and carried on.  When Wilmott was giving a talk to a Vintage club meeting in Carmarthen many years on he referred to that incident.  In the bar later, Henry Adams chirped up "that chap you spoke of was my brother"! the same JR Adams of Tenby, that had gone to Eppynt with over a coachload of supporters all those years ago to encourage him.  His bike carried race number 32. nostalgia itself warrants our scrapbook section carries visual record of such entourage and transport.