World Record
Once the record attempt was on, work started seeking support and sponsorship. Eric began with a letter to Shell that resulted in fuel, oil and the use of the Shell Motorsport Caravan.
Chairman
Club secretary Dave Smith wrote lots of letters to prospective sponsors such as the following.
Dunlop Ltd
Fort Dunlop
Birmingham
Dear Sirs
The Leicester Phoenix Motorcycle Club, of which I am the secretary, will be staging an attempt at setting up a world record for keeping a motorcycle in continuous forward motion under its own power late this September. Our plan is to take a Norton Commando (750cc) and ride it around Cadwell Park Circuit continuously for at least 24 hours.
This one went to Dunlop ...
We intend to use Dunlop K81 tyres for this attempt as our members all agree that these tyres seem to give the best roadholding, especially in the wet. Because of booking arrangements at Cadwell Park we must hold our attempt at a set time, we cannot choose our time to suit the weather.
In fact the record was eventually taken on Michelin tyres.
One went to Lucas ...
As you are no doubt aware, Nortons fit Lucas electrics as standard to this machine but as our motorcycle will be making approximately 10 hours of its marathon run in the hours of darkness, we shall be looking for reliable lighting as any stop will obviously lose us the chance of taking the record.
One went to Renolds ...
We intend to use Renold transmission chains on the machine as our members all agree that Renolds are the most reliable chains available and also have a very good wear characteristic. Obviously, if our attempt is to be a success, we require a chain which will not wear excessively as we cannot adjust the chain whilst in motion.
We are therefore wondering if your company could offer us any help or advice in this matter.
I would add that any help received would, of course, be mentioned in any publicity on the attempt, should it prove a success.
Yours faithfully
David B Smith
... and one went to Norton. Here is Eric's draft of the letter.
Dear Mr Jackson,
Further to our conversation on the telephone last week I am enclosing the details of the record attempt. Sponsors with firm offers are
BELSTAFF | RIDERS CLOTHING |
OWEN HELMETS | CRASH HELMETS |
MOTOR CYCLE ACCESSORIES | CRASH HELMETS |
MICHELIN | NEW TYRES AND TUBES |
SHELL | FUEL AND OIL and the use of the competition caravan |
CADWELL PARK RACING CIRCUIT | TOKEN CHARGE FOR CIRCUIT HIRE |
Lucas have offered their help, details to be finalised in the next few days.
Motorcycle News will cover the attempt and also send a photographer. Motor Cycle are doing likewise.
Local press and radio have also assured us of coverage.
The attempt will be covered in the B.M.F. Motorcycle Rider magazine owing to our club being a member of that organisation.
I am going to get Anglia T.V. interested and if possible also the national B.B.C. stations with fingers crossed.
The ACU offered their services so that the aattempt could be made official ... for £200, this being the cost of providing a scrutineer for 24hrs. This sort of money our club does not have and so we are contacting the B.M.F. to see if they can help us in making the attempt official.
Before I go any further I think it should be made clear that the club does not intend to make money out of this project, just publicity so that we can perhaps attract more members to our fold. In fact I imagine we shall decrease our bank balance rather than increase it.
The Attempt
We shall arrive at Cadwell Park on Thursday 28th of this month during the evening and set out our pit area and check over the bike to be used. On Friday morning we tidy up any loose ends and start the attempt at 8.00am prompt.
Ther team consists of three riders, one substitute and six refuelling staff. There will also be other people there from the club making themselves useful providing drinks and food etc. Mr Wilkinson of Cadwell Park Circuit will also be there keeping an eye on the proceedings and perhaps wondering how we are going to change riders and refuel while constntly moving.
The riders will spend one hour on and two hours off the machine.The refuelling staff will aslo take it in turn to refuel the machine and also keep the rider alert and interested via pit signals etc.
We have carried out a number of successful practice sessions with no snags and, as you will no doubt see if you go to watch the attempt at any time, these will not be any cause for concern during the attempt.
We have carried out several successful practice sessions to iron out any snags and we are now confident that the attempt will be successful.
With regard to us asking you for sponsorship/support, we feel that the bike should be services throughly before the attempt. This we talked over when I telephoned last week. Any help you can give us along these lines will be much appreciated and recognised by the club when we advertise our appreciation to the sponsors after the attempt.
... and here is the positive response.
Chairman,
Leicester Phoenix Motorcycle Club,
108, Essex Road,
Leicester. Dear Mr. Tindall, Further to our conversation today I confirm that Norton Villiers Europe Limited will reimburse any official Norton dealer for the maximum sum of £20.00 towards preparing your Norton machine for the forthcoming Record Attempt. Yours sincerely, Mike Jackson
General Sales Manager
Branches
54 Rue Rouget de L'Isle
92 PUTEAUX
PARIS, FRANCE
Via Altabella 7
BOLOGNA, ITALY
Directors: R. D. POORE (Chairman) H. M. PALIN W. N. HILLIER
Dave also wrote to newspapers to ensure wide publicity which, after all, was the reason for the record attempt.
Dear Sirs
The Leicester Phoenix Motorcycle Club, of which I am the secretary, will be staging an attempt at setting up a world record for keeping a motorcycle in continuous forward motion under its own power late this September. Our plan is to take a Norton Commando (750cc) and ride it around Cadwell Park Circuit continuously for at least 24 hours.
The motive behind our attempt is to focus attention upon our motorcycle club and therefore our committee has instructed me to inform you of this event in the hope that you will find it of sufficient interest to warrant a mention in your paper. Whilst none of our members are expert photographers we shall endeavour to take several shots which may be of interest to you should you favour us with a mention.
Yours faithfully
David B Smith
Secretary, Leicester Phoenix
Following all this preparation the time of the event came round very quickly. Eric, having moved house only months before, began a new job at Leicester Hospital the week of the record attempt and found himself working a shift pattern. Find out if he managed to stay awake ...