For the first time since 1927, the hallowed Pendine beach has seen motorcycle-only speed trials taking place. It was just our sort of event, having been organised by the Landspeed Racing Club after one of the committee went on a random visit to the beach last October.
This was no corporate jolly, but a motorcycling knees-up for anyone thrilled by high horsepower motorcycles and people who live to race. Pendine’s rich land speed heritage was alive once more with a moving hall of fame. You could watch a Brough Superior, Vincents and hybrids of the last 8 decades being used in anger. The visual overload of a turbo-charged Spondon GSX-R geared for 220mph will live with me forever as the rider opened the taps.
Pendine was more than just another bike event. It was a social, and I was able to discovered so many of the ‘friends’ I’ve made in the Facebook world. More than that, any event where the marshals have a sense of humour is always going to be fun!
The Speed Trials ran over two days, so of course the Welsh weather was going to be an issue. Saturday ended up with an early bath as first the sea mist messed with the timing kit. Then when that vanished, the wind was so fierce the timing lights simply blew over again and again!
But nobody moaned or got upset. That’s because they knew that we weren’t just visiting a site of historical importance but adding to it. And given the calibre of bikes, and competitors who have also ridden Bonneville, it was a valuable addition!
About Pendine Sands:
Malcolm Campbell was the first to use the 7 mile stretch of Welsh sand for a land speed record attempt in his 350HP Sunbeam named Blue Bird in 1924. The sands had previously been used for both bike and car races, with the Welsh TT motorcycle event held there from 1922.
Other record-breaking car runs were made between 1924 and 1927 by Campbell and Welshman J.G Parry-Thomas who was sadly the first driver to die in a world land speed record attempt. But it 2000, Don Wales, the grandson of Malcolm Campbell and nephew of Donald Campbell, set a UK electric land speed record in Bluebird Electric 2. The nearby Museum of Speed is dedicated to the land speed heritage of Pendine, and included the restored car of Parry-Thomas, which was rebuilt after laying buried in Pendine Sands for 42 years.
More Pendine Speed Trials Pictures:
looked like a weekend of fun…
Only wish I could have been there to enjoy it…looks like everyone had a great time…simply amazing!! ( how did the bloke on that Triumph do..!!?? )
that event was as fantastic as it was windy, came from linconshire (spelling isn’t fun) to watch and wasn’t disappointed sad to see the Vincent sidecar /streamliner crash but the feller was fine, some great bikes deffo going next year maybe on the BSA? hope every one got home safe.
1 of the bast 2 days i hav had soch a oner to rid thar thanks
RIP Phil , I only just found out , you were among our most dedicated supporters . Ride free PJ .