2018 GOODWOOD REVIVAL - BARRY SHEENE MEMORIAL TROPHY
- 13 September 2018
RACE 1
Glen English and John McGuinness claimed the spoils in the opening instalment of the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy double-header.
The Norton Manx duo starred in this thrilling 25-minute encounter, but victory appeared to be heading the way of Duncan Fitchett/Jeremy McWilliams going into the last lap. However, McWilliams took a tumble coming out of the chicane for the final time and dropped his Norton Daytona Manx. He had been leading by eight seconds prior to his spill.
Star during the early running was Australian legend, Troy Corser, who was sharing a 1929 BMW R57 Kompressor with the motorcycle’s owner, Herbert Schwab. Despite riding a ’bike that was considerably older than most machines competing in this 25-minute race, the abnormally brave Corser tore through the order following a Le Mans start, the supercharged BMW writhing and bucking beneath him. He was in the lead inside four laps and stretched his advantage until handing over the reins with just over ten minutes left to run.
McWilliams was the man on the move once all the rider changes were made, and appeared set for a seventh victory at Goodwood, only for the commentators’ curse to strike. Within a split second of his sure-fire win being trumpeted, his ’bike slid out from under him. English and McGuiness came home first after 16 action-packed laps, 1.437sec ahead of Norton Manx men, Ian Bain/James Hillier. Corser and Schwab placed a brilliant third.
RACE 2
Australian superstar Troy Corser starred on Sunday afternoon as he and wingman Herbert Schwab won the second thrilling instalment of the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy. Glen English dominated the early running aboard his Norton Manx, and was leading by 2.6sec at the end of the first lap.
He had extended this to 5.47sec by the end of the third tour, and to an incredible 13sec by the time he pitted to hand over the ’bike to 23-time Isle of Man TT winner, John McGuinness. Second place man Schwab had already pitted, and there was no stopping Corser aboard his supercharged 1929 BMW R57.
He ate into McGuinness’ lead, clawing back the deficit. He was clocked at an incredible 125mph more than once, and streaked past McGuiness with five minutes left to run. He had time to pat his friend on the back as he did so… Corser’s margin of victory was 11.628sec. English and McGuinness were second from Ian Bain and James Hillier.
Report courtesy of GRRC.