Racing in Europe

Here's a recent race story from Mats Hall in Europe.

"The race was in Linköping 2nd to 4 th of august. Its called “the year race” and was the 59 th. It was formula 750. I had the new motor with billet cases and new JS3 cam. Ran it for first time with 36 mm amal smoothbores.

We had a great weekend. Saturday practice had a real go and got second place to start.

Saturday race I took it easy on the clutch and got second in first bend after a CB750. I followed him a couple of laps and then outbraked him setting up the pace. A Yamaha XS that overtook me once but reclaimed the position and further added pace. Got in at first place some 8 seconds ahead of the CB750.

Sunday race I noticed that something was wrong with the clutch and it didnt shift good and I had to readjust on starting grid. I decided to try to just clutch as little as possible except in start. I got a perfect start with bike pulling strong at least 3 seconds ahead of the second guy with a Triumph Nourish. Bike jumped out of gear coming in strong after a backstraight and I was overtaken. Followed the nourish a 4 laps and then overtook him . Clutch was really bad and after some 8 seconds lead 2 laps before checkers I shifted without clutch. Won with a 3 second ahead."

An earlier Photo of Mats Norton below:

jseng1 said:

Here's a recent race story from Mats Hall in Europe.

"The race was in Linköping 2nd to 4 th of august. Its called “the year race” and was the 59 th. It was formula 750. I had the new motor with billet cases and new JS3 cam. Ran it for first time with 36 mm amal smoothbores.

We had a great weekend. Saturday practice had a real go and got second place to start.

Saturday race I took it easy on the clutch and got second in first bend after a CB750. I followed him a couple of laps and then outbraked him setting up the pace. A Yamaha XS that overtook me once but reclaimed the position and further added pace. Got in at first place some 8 seconds ahead of the CB750.

Sunday race I noticed that something was wrong with the clutch and it didnt shift good and I had to readjust on starting grid. I decided to try to just clutch as little as possible except in start. I got a perfect start with bike pulling strong at least 3 seconds ahead of the second guy with a Triumph Nourish. Bike jumped out of gear coming in strong after a backstraight and I was overtaken. Followed the nourish a 4 laps and then overtook him . Clutch was really bad and after some 8 seconds lead 2 laps before checkers I shifted without clutch. Won with a 3 second ahead."

An earlier Photo of Mats Norton below:

Click to expand...

I would love to be doing that. A Honda CB750 should not be a problem for a Commando-based racer. A Nourish might have a bit of go. If there was a class in Australia which had bevel Ducatis, I would definitely race again. They actually handle. Racing is more fun when there are bikes there which are worth beating. The good rider stuff is bullshit - the rider adapts to the bike. I suggest a lot of guys blame their own riding when they get blown to the weeds. They do not know what the other guys are riding. There are people such as Herb Becker hiding in the background. Most people who go road racing do not have a father who would buy them a world championship-winning Mondial 250, on which to learn.

I began road racing in 1979. I had been racing for 4 years when I finally rode a 500cc Manx Norton. I know when I have been stupid. Converted road bikes are bad news. However I like the fun of developing a race bike. Mike Hailwood was apparently not good at giving feed-back to pit crews. Surtees rode the 500cc Honda after him, and commented on it.

jseng1 said:

Here's a recent race story from Mats Hall in Europe.

"The race was in Linköping 2nd to 4 th of august. Its called “the year race” and was the 59 th. It was formula 750. I had the new motor with billet cases and new JS3 cam. Ran it for first time with 36 mm amal smoothbores.

We had a great weekend. Saturday practice had a real go and got second place to start.

Saturday race I took it easy on the clutch and got second in first bend after a CB750. I followed him a couple of laps and then outbraked him setting up the pace. A Yamaha XS that overtook me once but reclaimed the position and further added pace. Got in at first place some 8 seconds ahead of the CB750.

Sunday race I noticed that something was wrong with the clutch and it didnt shift good and I had to readjust on starting grid. I decided to try to just clutch as little as possible except in start. I got a perfect start with bike pulling strong at least 3 seconds ahead of the second guy with a Triumph Nourish. Bike jumped out of gear coming in strong after a backstraight and I was overtaken. Followed the nourish a 4 laps and then overtook him . Clutch was really bad and after some 8 seconds lead 2 laps before checkers I shifted without clutch. Won with a 3 second ahead."

An earlier Photo of Mats Norton below:

Click to expand...

That's not Europe it is Scandinavia!

I have been to the city of Linköping, Saab has their aircraft factory there. Fond memories of several visits in winter and summer. Lovely place to be for 5 weeks in the summer!

Sadly, I have never been to the race circuit and these days it is too far to contemplate.

SteveA said:

That's not Europe it is Scandinavia!

I have been to the city of Linköping, Saab has their aircraft factory there. Fond memories of several visits in winter and summer. Lovely place to be for 5 weeks in the summer!

Sadly, I have never been to the race circuit and these days it is too far to contemplate.

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Must be a short season being so far North and cold.

jseng1 said:

Must be a short season being so far North and cold.

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Any time I raced there it was very, very hot almost 40C

Linkoping is a great circuit, narrow, but pretty quick. We did have a lot of success there

Seeley920 said:

Any time I raced there it was very, very hot almost 40C

Linkoping is a great circuit, narrow, but pretty quick. We did have a lot of success there

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That will have been within the 5 week window!

SteveA said:

That will have been within the 5 week window!

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All part of the plan

I am jealous, and it is my own fault because I made my own choices. There was a point in my life when I chose to raise a family in Australia, and not go racing in Europe. I would have been killed on the IOM. I was pretty stupid.