Veteran era survivors on ‘The Run’ | GRR

GRR helped increase the number of survivors on the Run to three times

Goodwood Road & Racing (GRR) has played a part in changing the way that veteran motorcycle survivors are found and preserved for future generations. At the start of the 2000s, only a handful of veteran motorcycles were known to still exist.

The Veteran era was from 1894 to 1915 and motorcycles of this period had to be at least 100 years old to qualify as veterans. Since there were very few survivors, the oldest motorcycle in the world, the Hildebrand & Wolfmuller, was on static display in the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu. To see it run, the museum’s curators had to give it a push and let it freewheel down a gentle slope while hordes of enthusiasts looked on.

Fast forward to today and there are now three times as many veteran motorcycles known to still exist and of those, around 150 can be seen running at the annual Goodwood Revival meeting. The reason for this proliferation is Goodwood’s insistence that any motorcycle that can be ridden under its own power is eligible to compete in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, a race that is one of the highlights of the Revival meeting.

The impact of GRR’s veteran motorcycle racing

The impact of GRR’s Veteran Motorcycle Racing has been profound. Not only has it led to a significant increase in the number of veteran motorcycles that are still in existence, but it has also raised awareness of these machines and their importance in the history of motorcycling.

The race has also helped to change the way that veteran motorcycles are perceived. In the past, these machines were often seen as fragile and delicate, but the Revival has shown that they are capable of being ridden hard and fast. This has led to a new appreciation for these motorcycles and their riders.

The future of veteran motorcycle racing

The future of veteran motorcycle racing is bright. The number of veteran motorcycles that are still in existence is growing, and there is a growing interest in these machines. GRR is committed to continuing to support veteran motorcycle racing and to helping to preserve these important pieces of history.

In addition to the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy, GRR also hosts a number of other races for veteran motorcycles, including the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s VSCC and VMCC races. These races provide a great opportunity for enthusiasts to see these machines in action and to learn more about their history.