VISITING THE BRITTEN 1000

by Drunkwombat

1994, Bathurst, NSW, Australia.

Easter Races at Mount Panorama meant production cars (James Hardie 12 Hour race) and a spotty local boy is watching the races on that Saturday. In between the different car races a different bellowing note caught my attention and a blue and pink rocket screamed under the Dunlop Overpass and into Murrays Corner. The blur then boomed the full length of pit straight on its back wheel before diving through Hell Corner and then again leaping on to its back wheel and pummelling up Mountain Strait until it disappeared over the crest. I remember the faint booms as it traversed the Mountain and made another pass or two. It was like an awakening urge that I had felt at the start of puberty. Not sure what it was, or what to do with it, but man, I liked it.

I saw this strange motorbike in the pits later and grabbed a poster that went with all the other posters I grabbed from all the car teams. After taking all those posters home and poring over its detail of this very strange motorbike about which I knew nothing it was supposed to go on the wall with the dozens of pictures. Sadly the poster disappeared during one of Mum's cleaning pogroms, and the memory was all I had. Although my best mate had stuck his to the ceiling of his room.

2007, Christchurch, NZ

Arriving in Christchurch, New Zealand late one recent evening, I found myself questioned by the immigration officer. Translations provided for those unfamiliar with the Australian and Kiwi dialects.

"So yir un hulidayz eh?" (So you are on holidays eh?)

To which I replied in fluent Strine (Australian): "Yiiiir, heah ta hav arr look et Jahn Brittenz boikes" (Yeah, here to have a look at John Britten's bikes).

The immigration bloke muttered. "Arrr? John Britten, clever bloke he was" and sent us on our way. We were in New Zealand as a treat for a visiting American friend, but on the top of my list was to visit the Britten museum.

The centre of Christchurch is Cathederal Square. A lively, fun public space where all and sundry meet.

Now we all all know Kiwis like their contact sports, and I wanted to wait around to find out why this bloke needed to wear a helmet to play chess.

But I had other matters to attend to.

Behind that big cathedral was the end of my journey.

103 Worcester St, Christchurch.

This modest entrance led to the offices of Brittco Management, John Britten's property development company. Upon enquiring with the lovely lady at the front desk as to where I could see the Britten display she cheerfully led me up the corridor to the room.

I entered the room and a deep rush of elation that I wasn't ready for. For before my eyes, in the middle of the room, was the Cardinal Network Bike, also known as Number One. The ten surviving bikes are all commonly known by their build number or the Race Team than ran them.

Also here was the first V-1000, the first bike they took to Daytona.

With the tingle easing, I slowly circled this mythical beast. We've all done it. Pored over a motorcycle, admiring detail and workmanship. Soon enough I was down on hand and knee peering up into its innards. The suspension layout, and the Hossack type front end. How on Earth did such a small team come up with such a magnificent feat of engineering?