Syston Park 2017

Syston Park 27th August 2017

I was first introduced to Syston Park near Grantham as a young boy by my father, with tales of his exploits on a borrowed Douglas fore and aft twin. I believe this was in the late 1920's period. The bike was owned by his best friend and ridden to the meeting, my father riding his16H Norton for this then very popular Hill Climb.
The venue was first used in 1906 solely for motorcycle use and was made into a full circuit in 1926 and although it was very narrow cars were introduced sometime after this change. With the trial re-introduction of a Hill Climb in 2015, it was further expanded in 2016 with the emphasis on pre WW2 machinery and period dress. It thus becomes the oldest venue in the UK still in use today.

The machines taking part varied from AJS, BSA, Indian, Harley Davidson, New Imperial, Panther, Royal Enfield, Scott, Sunbeam, Norton, Triumph, Rover, Rudge, several Velocette’s, a BSA 3 wheeler, a Morgan Beetleback and several specials among our type of vehicle.
In the cars there were several specials, the nicest an OHV Austin seven supercharged racer like the Kaye Don car, a couple of Bugatti’s, a couple of Frazer Nash one of which was an ex works car with twin superchargers and having a Frazer Nash engine, the only one known to exist. Several MG’s, a Wolseley, Buick, Hupmobile, Sunbeam, Alfa romeo, Rover, Rolls Royce, Triumph, Salmson, made for a most interesting entry totaling about 100 in all.

All machinery raced up the hill individually in their respective classes and had to wait in a holding paddock at the top until the last class mate ascended and all would then proceed enbloc back down to the main paddock and display area. I managed a total of three runs on my 1930 KTT Velocette with the help of Malcolm Bridges who’s support was invaluable. Malcolm took the pictures that accompany this report, my thanks go to him. Roll on August 2018.

It is a really nice day out with food and drink available and the period dress and riding gear make for a nostalgic atmosphere and well worth the day out. There is a small Jumble feature and a Garden Centre is situated in the grounds, to add varied interest. John Goodall

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John Goodall on his "Cammy" Velocette at an earlier Syston Park meeting

A copy of the programmes circuit map

You can read more about Syston Park at: http://systonparkspeedtrials.com/