April 2018 Croix en Ternois, France

The season started off very well again with two good wins at Croix.

May 18 – Hengelo, Holland

Yet again a very well organised meeting at Hengelo with another 2 good wins. On the Thursday evening all the race teams were invited to take part in a ride into the town of Hengelo. This proved to be very successful and there were many spectators there.

June 18 – East Fortune, Scotland

Good racing at East Fortune and Bill & Bert won both their races.

June 18 – Cadwell Park

The following weekend it was straight to Cadwell Park (with a little holiday in between in Lincolnshire). This was a meeting organised by BEMSEE called the ‘INTERNATIONAL SIDECAR REVIVAL MEETING’. It was very well attended by all different classes of sidecar. Formula 1, Formula 2, The Camathias Cup and some big names from the past Parading; Rolf Biland and his passengers Kurt Waltzberg & Kenny Williams, Steve Webster & Paul Woodhead and Steve Abbot & Scott Whiteside to name just 3 teams! Bill & Bert finished 2nd in the 3 Camathias Cup Races (only 2 of which went towards the Championship). It was very enjoyable weekend’s racing. The sidecar teams were asked if they would take people who had to pay for taxi rides, the money going to charity. Bill did this with a friend, Tim Bloch. Tim enjoyed the experience!

July – Chimay, Belgium

Then it was on to Chimay. It was a very hot weekend’s racing. Bill & Bert had problems with a slipping clutch in the first race and finished 3rd. The problem was sorted out for the 2nd race and the bike went a lot better and they finished 2nd.

August 18 – Gedinne, Belgium

Again we got there a week early again as we do each year to help set up the circuit, which we enjoy doing. As in previous years the ‘Helpers’ were fed & watered!

When Bill & Bert went out for their 2nd practice on the Friday the bike was flying and they put up the fastest lap. However, during this practice there was a big bang, when the engine backfired through the inlet. The bike was then stripped and it was discovered that a rocker had broken. A decision was made that although nothing could be done for that weekend’s racing at Gedinne, as they were racing at Zandvoort the following weekend to go back to England to Richard Peckett’s on the Saturday morning. So an early start was made, we left the circuit before the roads closed at 7am and we got to Richard’s at 3pm, the engine was finished by 8pm., a big thank you to Richard!

We were back on the road to Dover at 9pm and back at Bert’s in Belgium at 4.30am on the Sunday morning. The engine was back in and up and running by 3pm that day!

September 18 – Zandvoort, Holland

We then set off for Zandvoort for the Historic Car Grand Prix on the Wednesday. It was a very social weekend. First of all we went to the posh Cocktail party on the Friday evening, which is very good of the Organisers to invite all the Camathias Cup Teams to. Then followed by the Camathias Cup ‘Get Together’ on the Saturday evening. The racing was quite good too! Bill and Bert finished 2nd on the Saturday and then on the Sunday they won their class.

September 18 – Pembury, Wales

We then had the long journey to Pembury, Wales for the last Camathias Cup meeting of the season. This was the first time that Bill & Bert had raced at Pembury and Bill thought it was a tricky circuit to learn. On the Saturday in the first Camathias Cup race of the weekend they finished 2nd in class. The bike was not handling well and the engine was not running right. They then decided on the Sunday morning after a discussion with Richard Peckett not to race that day because the bike was not running right and it was very wet & windy. Afterwards when the engine was stripped it was established that the ignition had come completely loose, therefore this accounted for the engine running rough.

2018 Championship

However, the good news at Pembury was that Bill & Bert won the 750cc Camathias Cup Championship again. They also won the overall Trophy for having the highest points in both the 750cc and plus 750cc classes again.

Thanks to everyone that has helped again this year. To Mick Gillott yet again and to Jos & Henny of WILLEMS BALING EQUIPMENT BV for their continuing support of helping with the boat fares again.

Sadly however, both Bill & Bert have decided to retire from racing, so will not be competing next year. During their 12 seasons together they have been mostly very successful and have enjoyed racing together as a Team.