November 2023
DTRA UK FLAT TRACK NATIONALS SEPT 30–OCT 1
The Dirt Track Riders Association’s Vintage races deliver hugely varied grids, with lightweight 1970s two-strokes battling with British four-stroke twins and Evo-class ohc machines in the heats – but each has a class-specific final. This year’s final meeting proved a wet one...
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John Harrison, 1972 Triumph TR6R
“I’d always wanted a Harley-Davidson XR750,” explains John. “But I was never going to be able to afford one, so I built this back in 2002-3 as an XR750-inspired street tracker. Around 2012 Sideburn magazine showed me that other people were interested in this style of bike too. Then in 2016, at the age of 56, I started racing it. I’ve since been runner-up in the Vintage Four-Stroke class twice, though I had to take last year off because I got diagnosed with cancer. I’m still waiting for this year’s results, but I’m hoping to be on the podium. The bike started as a stock, conical-hub four-speed 650, but now has a 750 top end. I qualified for the front row of the final, but got pipped for third place by a German rider. I can live with that, he’s 21 years old.”
Gareth Howes, 1969 750 Trackmaster Triumph
“I was here two years ago, racing a modern 450, and I actually bought this bike online that night when I was drunk.” admits Gareth. “It was in California and I had no clue about import duties or shipping when I bought it. It’s a genuine period bike with Mikuni carbs and an ARD magneto, and we tracked down the original owner, so I have pictures of him racing it in 1971-72 which is cool. It’s my first Triumph, but Rick Bearcroft does the engine and has guided me. I ended up eighth in the final, which was good. This is the year’s big meeting, so a lot of fast Europeans come over.”
Sean Kelly, 1973 Suzuki TS400
This twice championship-winning machine is another online auction buy. “It was an American import with broken engine mountings and I paid £995 for it. The cases haven’t been apart, but it gets a top-end overhaul each winter. I got a barrel from a TN400 scrambler for more power, but I haven’t fitted it. In this state it’s reliable and easy to ride. I love it.’ Sean crashed out of the final at Greenfield while battling for the lead, losing out on this year’s championship to Yamaha DT400 rider Simon Bird.
Jessie & John Moore, 1973 Suzuki GT380
A Suzuki GT380 dirt track racer? Why? “Well,” says Jesse Moore, struggling not to laugh, “we wanted to do a four, but TZ750s are big money. And we couldn’t afford a Kawasaki triple either, so we bought a Suzuki GT380. We pulled it apart and built the wheels and were going
