Roadholder 370 - October 2018

45 welcome some champion guests. First, in a significant first for Norton rallies, the great Giacomo Agostini, who was interviewed on stage. He obviously had another career missed as a diplomat as he was very modest about his 15 world titles and appreciative about Nortons! Then, after dinner, Norton rider and engineer, Peter Williams was interviewed by Chairman Tim. Peter's popularity is ever-present and he received a long standing ovation! After the speeches, Roland had booked a great 'Rockabilly' Band, 'The Flying Frantics' who started our toes tapping with plenty of Rock and Roll and much revelling ensued … Saturday 18th August Saturday dawned with the prospect of some Classic racing at the Red Bull Ring. Tim and I had managed to gain entry to the paddock as race techs through the kindness of Ken Perch and Tony Lockwood, who had booked their bikes to take part in the 'Ruppert Hollaus Memorial Race' and the Norton Parade. The only problem was getting up at 07:30a.m. after the night before - but the prospect of some 'Castrol R' was enough to make it happen. It was a full day's programme and many who had less interest in racing took the opportunity to take impromptu ride outs into the local countryside. For myself, I attempted to do both … . Security at the circuit was pretty lax and some rallygoers, who had paid 30 Euros to gain entry, were unhappy to see others who managed to get in free simply by walking through the concourse. Even they would agree though that the racing was great. Activity in the Norton pits was frantic, getting the bikes ready for the race, and one competitor, hailing from Andover, was Roland awaits the start of the Norton Parade on his ex-Rudi Thalhammer Manx Norton