ROAD RACING
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ROAD RACING •
Discover the thrill of Greeves road racing, where speed and precision meet on the open road and track. Dive into the history of road racing and stay updated with the latest news on thrilling competitions and hill climbing events.
If anyone has any news on Greeves road racing (or hill climbing) please send to us at British.bikes@yahoo and we’ll publish it here.
The legacy of Greeves road racers
The legacy of Greeves road racers, particularly the Silverstone and Oulton models, is a captivating tale of innovation, competition, and global reach. This story begins in the early 1960s when private racer Reg Everett modified a Greeves roadster frame with a scrambler engine, creating a prototype that caught the attention of Greeves' founder, Bert Greeves. This led to the birth of the Greeves Silverstone, a model that would define an era in British motorcycle racing.
Introduced in the 1963 season, the Silverstone was built on a modified scrambler frame, featuring a Villiers 36A engine enhanced with Greeves' own alloy cylinder barrel and head. This setup, combined with an Amal GP carburettor and an expansion chamber exhaust, allowed the bike to produce 31bhp at 7,400rpm. Its development through versions RAS to RFS until 1968 marked a period of significant growth for Greeves and offered many racers their first taste of road racing.
The Silverstone's success on tracks like the Manx Grand Prix, where Gordon Keith set remarkable speeds, underscored its performance capabilities. Meanwhile, Peter Inchley's achievements on the Villiers Starmaker Special highlighted the bike's potential and versatility, further cementing its status in racing history.
The narrative of the Greeves road racers extends globally, with significant numbers found in countries like South Africa, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. Each motorcycle, whether it's a model like the 24RDS129 showcased in parading events or the RAS173 raced at Laguna Seca, tells a unique story of competition and passion.
Team Greeves with their record breaking sand racing and Hill Climbing exploits on their Griffons.
By Steve Atkins
In 2021, our journey took us to the historic Pendine Sands, where our 250cc Greeves Griffon clinched two UK-ITA records despite mechanical challenges. Achieving 67 mph in a half-mile from a standing start and showcasing prowess in a quarter-mile flying start, our team's resilience was unmistakable, overcoming setbacks to complete eight remarkable runs.
Our commitment to innovation was highlighted by modifications like the removal of the front brake lever and the addition of a GPS speedometer. Embodying the spirit of friendship and dedication, the bike proudly bore the name 'Stevie-Kaye', in honor of a dear friend of the rider.
Embrace the essence of our journey: perseverance, innovation, and the strength of Team Greeves friendship. Join Greeves Motorsport as we continue to write our legacy, fueled by passion and the pursuit of excellence. The adventure is far from over; the legend continues.
Join Team Greeves group on Facebook here.