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MEMBERS ARTICLES

Staring into the Abyss

NOISE, how would you interpret the word, it is such an aggressive word. After all it is just sound, how would you interpret the word sound, at what point does sound become noise. I owned my first record player at the age of 9, 31 years later I still play my records loud. Noise or Sound?

Did I also mention I now own a motorbike

I have been a member of the National Sprint Association since June of this year, thanks goes to Mr Karl Rosin for the introduction. I have attended 5 events and made so welcome it feels like a lifetime.

My first couple of events, standing alongside my tatty van and makeshift sleeping accommodation curious members came over for a chat, not to snigger or laugh at my novice riding ability or second hand kit but to offer a light beverage and bucket loads of advice, technique and encouragement. Faith in human nature has returned since being a member of the N.S.A, maybe the people make the N.S.A rather than the Sprinting itself, how else can a stranger land in the middle of Sprinting, a whisker away from Drag racing and be made so welcome regardless of machine or experience. The People.

How would I describe Sprinting, to compete against myself or if you wish a small competition against your lane rival. My summery would be a feeling of receiving your first certificate in junior school, your first girlfriend, your first job or your first playground fight. Love, excitement, fear and joy.

Sprinting is not noise, neither is it sound, it is all the records I have played over the last 31 years hitting your heart all at once.

Into another realm

Date: Saturday 17th October 2009
Event: National Sprint Association
Location: Weston Zoyland
Weather: Mild and sunny
Bike: The Parny Express
Rider: Flappy, though rider is a term to be used very loosely

Picture my face when I finally sat on the Parny Express, turned the ignition on and hit that start button, knocked it down into 1st and rode across to the start line, little bits of dribble coming from the corner of my mouth from excitement.
Eased it into stage, feet back, heels showing, throttle jammed wide open, 5.500rpm on the stutter box, lights go green, clutch dumped and I am off up the track like a snake with its tail on fire, as I am coming down the return road people are cheering and clapping, my first run on the Parny and I do a 10 second pass @ 147mph

Then I blink again as Clive is marking my run on the NSA sticker, bolloc*s it was a dream . Stage, lights green and I wobble off the line, barely making 0.500rpm. Around a minute or so later I return to the paddock and the Parny Master, what the f*ck was that Keith says, 14 bloody seconds, 90 odd mph.

Time for another go as you are probably all bored by now I will cut long story short, all my goes were a wobble off the line and my times were in the 13 bracket but I did manage 122mph.

As for the ride,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, absolutely amazing, the best fun I ever had. The power and acceleration are beyond description and the thing that will always stay with me is the sound. I cannot wait to get more events under my belt and hopefully in a few seasons time be competent to ride something of that quality(only Kawasaki mind) properly.

Thank you Keith for giving me the opportunity, it is a privilege that will never be forgotten

Sean Fry.

SHAKESPEARE COUNTY RACEWAY 16TH MAY 2009

From

Although heavy rain showers put a huge damper on the days (as well as the weekend) anticipated six rounds of timed action at Saturday's round of the NSA Southern Section Championship at Shakespeare County Raceway those who did manage to brave the elements were treated to a good track which eventually lead to a few personal best performances being achieved. Apart from the appalling weather I hope that everyone enjoyed your selves! I know I did announcing the races as they came to the line. Here are a few pictures taken by Steve Wexler from Eclipse Photos, and to start with my personal favourite from the day; John Young putting the power down on his 1936 Vintage Class Triumph Jap to come away from the meet with a best of 12.91/101 mph. Enjoy the rest.

Keith Parnell's awesome low nine second Kawasaki - 9.200s.

Although heavy rain put a huge damper on the day's anticipated sessions of timed motorcycle sprinting on those who did manage to brave the elements for the National Sprint Associations Southern Section Championship were treated well with a well prepared track that eventually lead to some personal best performances being achieved by man and machine.

With 23 riders converging on the Warwickshire facility drag legend Keith Parnell showed once again that he doesn't need a bus pass to get around these days! For personal transport he ought to be using his nine second Kawasaki ZX12R instead with times as low as 9.200 second for the quarter mile at 157.16 mph.

Also in fine form was Western Zoyland speed record holder Steve Mead on his immaculate K8 Suzuki Hayabusa turbo. From the two runs made Steve's quickest was an 8.169 at 179.30 mph.

Former NDRC (National Drag Racing Club) Comp Bike racers Jayne & Dave Glover made a welcome return to the Long Marston track. Dave took his self built Ducati 996 SPL drag bike to a best time of 10.451 while Jayne rode her 675cc Triumph Daytona to an 11.508 at 126.52 mph.

Rider of the day for me was John Young. At 64 years of age John was riding two near identical 1936 Triumph Jap machines, found and built in France in the Vintage class. On both occasions, John could be seen to be ridding the folks off these vintage machines with the 500cc bike putting down a far from straight 12.916 while the 350cc model fought its rider all the way down the quarter mile to register a 13.877s.

The Sprinter magazine cover star Barry Varnell on his Kawasaki Z1170 Turbo.

First timer to the raceway Chris Layzell blasts away from the line on his FZR400 Yamaha.

A man who needs no introduction to Long Marston, former drag racer Dave Glover.

Another first timer at Shakey Dave Woodard's Rea Suzuki 1216cc Sidecar against John Young's Triumph Jap.

The Junior entry of Tom Davidge on his 80cc Thumpster.

All photos courtesy of Eclipse Photos.

The 12 second double engined JCR Suzuki of John Crighton.

Nigel Thomas on board his 249 cc Yamaha screamer.



Peter Williams' TWO FACED  
Hi. Just thought you might be interested in some pics of my 1300cc 
double-engined Triumph Two Faced? B&W was taken at Topcliffe in 
1968; bike was third quickest in Europe at that time behind Alf Hagon 
& George Brown. Some later pics taken at North Weald. 
Also pics of my 'new' Hayabusa sprinter, partly finished. 
Cheers, Pete Williams.

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