Nortons star at Race Retro

The Norton Owners Club displayed 13 machines at Race Retro (23-25 February), 12 of them competition models, writes Brian Crichton. The 13th example was a road-going Norton Commando which celebrates 50 years since it came to market in 1968. 

The Norton OC has attended all 16 annual Race Retro International Historic Motorsport Shows since the event began 16 years ago at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. The only club to do so, the Norton OC celebrates its diamond anniversary next year and plans to kick the season off once again at Stoneleigh.

Among motorsport speakers on the stage was former Suzuki works rider and world truck driving champion Steve Parrish who displayed two of his two-stroke Suzuki racers.

Leading race bike dealers attending included Steve Griffith with six bikes for sale and Will Corry, from Ireland, with three. Griffith’s line-up included an ex-John McGuiness double-TT-winning Yamaha R1.

The most expensive bike for sale was a George Beale Honda-6 recreation of the 1967 works 297cc model. Would £200,000 buy it? “You’re not even close,” said Corry with a smile. The Honda is No8 of the eight made by Beale, now a director at H&H Auctions.

The weekend included two classic car sales by Silverstone Auctions. Nine bikes were listed, eight finding new owners. Top sellers were a 2003 Suzuki GSX-R600 built for Jay Kay of Jamiroquai (£9225) and a 650 Triton cafe racer ( £8050). Total take at the two sales was £3.7m. Crowd attendance over the three days was 23,100, 10% up on 2017, reported organiser Clarion Events.

Pictured is classic bike dealer Will Corry with a 1953 Matchless G45 500cc racing twin. Yours for £55,000.