Road Racing

Sounds of the 60s: Team Obsolete to parade classic Honda-6 at Classic TT

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The Mountain course will play host to the nostalgic sound of the 250cc Honda-6, courtesy of Team Obsolete as it completes a demonstration lap around the iconic circuit.

The machinery is owned by Team Obsolete’s Rob Iannucci, and it is the only surviving Honda RC165. It was first ridden by Jim Redman in Monza and then Stuart Graham, before being taken to victory at the Czechoslovakian Grand Prix by racing legend Mike Hailwood. Its first victory came with Redman at the 1964 250cc Japanese GP.

The ‘Six’ was technologically advanced for its time, and was built to put a stop to the constant victories of the 250 Yamaha, which won the 1964/65 250cc Championships in the hands of Phil Read.

Ex-factory Honda racer Steve Plater will have the honour of riding the machinery around the circuit ahead of the Motorsport Merchandise Superbike Classic TT Race on Monday 28th August.

But the Six will get its first outing in Jurby the day before its TT demonstration lap, with Dave Roper (winner of the 1985 Senior Classic TT) at the reigns.

Iannucci told of the restoration of the bike: “Recently we disassembled and scrutinized the entire motorcycle again. We are carefully rebuilding the motor with new pistons and a new crankshaft assembly. We commissioned two from an Italian Formula One technology company, supplying them with the complete original crankshaft assembly which they reverse engineered. Their engineers said that they got an education from the process. 

“Team Obsolete has been racing classic bikes since 1978 and have now competed in 1500 races with 50 riders. Our victory in the 1984 Historic TT, and the 1989 Manx GP Milne Shield, sealed our love for the Mountain Circuit, which represents the ultimate challenge. We have made 26 starts in all, with two wins and two fastest laps.” 

The man who has the honour of riding the iconic bike, Steve Plater added: “It is an honour to have been asked to ride of the most iconic and technically ground breaking motorcycles ever built on the most famous race circuit in the world.”

“Whenever a bike like this gets demonstrated at other events, it is normally over a very short run, so you have to admire the ambition of Robert Iannucci and Team Obsolete in making this happen for a full lap of the TT Mountain Circuit. I’m sure the fans coming to this year’s event are in for an assault on their senses when this bike comes past!” 

 

 

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