Britten vs Guzzi

**Grumph** · 20th January 2013, 19:29

Originally Posted by dangerous

ohh what book G?

Tim Hannas Britten book D....mum can read it to the boys (and you) at bedtime...as it's largely a fairy story.

I'll loan you a copy.

**dangerous** · 20th January 2013, 19:46

Originally Posted by Grumph

Tim Hannas Britten book D....mum can read it to the boys (and you) at bedtime...as it's largely a fairy story.

I'll loan you a copy.

deal... ill call in some time, wont be at next weekends meet as it clashs with the woodstock rally

**seymour14** · 20th January 2013, 20:32

You also got to remember that Russell Josiah beat all the Britten's on a 750cc Kawasaki in there first year. Bet that never got into any of those pro-Britten books!

Probably why Britten turned to BEARS racing, as much as they were awesome, they weren't world beaters even in the day.

**SWERVE** · 21st January 2013, 22:18

That brings back memories.... would have been at that meeting.
Im sure Andrew had soooooooooo much time on his hands during that ..he probebly thought of names for all the kids!
He tried to make a show of it...but no cigar!
really shows the Britten front end into "Druids" against the Guzzi (soggy ol sock) and i like guzzi,s
Must have been one of the easiest rides of his carreer.......

**dangerous** · 22nd January 2013, 04:52

Originally Posted by SWERVE

really shows the Britten front end into "Druids" against the Guzzi (soggy ol sock) and i like guzzi,s

Ya notice that, talk about 'slip sliding away' think that was the Guzzi at max some how.

**wharfy** · 22nd January 2013, 07:26

Originally Posted by seymour14

You also got to remember that Russell Josiah beat all the Britten's on a 750cc Kawasaki in there first year. Bet that never got into any of those pro-Britten books!

Probably why Britten turned to BEARS racing, as much as they were awesome, they weren't world beaters even in the day.

Maybe not "World Beaters" but not a bad record - The Ducati's that the Britten beat at Daytona where pretty much full on factory jobs.
to quote somebody (who's name I don't remember) "Perhaps John's greatest talent was attracting and motivating other talented people"
It is still the most beautiful motorcycle ever (I think) and that was pretty much all John Britten.

1991

2nd and 3rd Battle of the Twins, Daytona, USA

1992

1st Battle of the Twins, Assen, Holland
2nd Pro Twins, Laguna Seca, USA
DNF Battle of the Twins, Daytona, USA

1993

Fastest Top Speed at the Isle of Man TT
1st (BEARS) 2nd (Formula 1) Australian TT Bathurst
3rd Battle of the Twins, Assen, Holland
NZ Grand Prix title
World flying mile record (1000 cc and under)
302.705 km/h
World standing start 1⁄4-mile (400 m) record (1000 cc and under)
134.617 km/h
World standing start mile record (1000 cc and under)
213.512 km/h
World standing start kilometre record (1000 cc and under)
186.245 km/h

1994

1st Battle of the Twins, Daytona, USA
1st and 2nd New Zealand National Superbike Championship [4]

**steveyb** · 22nd January 2013, 07:37

And don't forget that it wasn't actually allowed to race in many championships around the world due to small numbers built and/or engine capacity.
No WSBK, No MotoGP, No BSB, No AMA Superbike etc etc.

**ducatilover** · 22nd January 2013, 07:58

That poor wobbly Guzzi! (ferkin' sexxxxxy looking machine though)
I'm not entirely surprised the Britten beat the Guzzi, was a pretty wicked bike, regardless of all the anti-Britten fans

**seymour14** · 22nd January 2013, 16:44

Not knocking them, in fact I wished that our Government got behind them more in the day (typical to pour money into other trivial crap but not the motorcycling fraternity, they missed a brilliant opportunity here).

In fact, anyone with some foresight could have run a New Zealand series similar to that A1GP a few years back, inviting top riders to compete on Britten's in NZ, it would have been fantastic for the firm and an awesome advertisement for our country. Missed the boat there didn't we!!

No, I was just pointing out that as great as they were, Russell Josiah beat them on a 750cc Kawasaki, and that is how it went down. Britten fans can fob it off all they like, but that is just the way it was, doesn't knock the Britten's other accomplishments, but it certainly wasn't the second coming either!

**Kickaha** · 22nd January 2013, 16:55

Originally Posted by steveyb

And don't forget that it wasn't actually allowed to race in many championships around the world due to small numbers built and/or engine capacity.
No WSBK, No MotoGP, No BSB, No AMA Superbike etc etc.

It would have got smoked if it had

**paturoa** · 22nd January 2013, 17:40

As per earlier posts, would be a stunning vid with the original audio track!

Not sure if mentioned in the earlier posts but the riding from Ant to get the guzi competative with a Britten needs to be recognised. To punt that around the track like that is serious skill!

**tail_end_charlie** · 22nd January 2013, 18:16

Originally Posted by Kickaha

It would have got smoked if it had

I'm gonna question that a little bit here. For example, 1993 AMA Superbike race at Charlotte Motor Speedway the Ducati's were running right up there at the front (when they weren't quitting from electrical trouble that is) and the Britten went on to beat the Ducati's at Daytona in the battle of the Twins. So, using the Ducati's as a baseline, I would have thought that the Britten would have at least been in the ballpark for AMA Superbike, and probably not far off the BSB or WSBK.

That of course is assuming that the Ducati's at Daytona and Charlotte where in some way similar. The ones at Charlotte were the Ducati 851 Superbike (correct me if I'm wrong), but I don't know what exactly was racing at the Battle of the Twins at Daytona.

**pete376403** · 22nd January 2013, 18:32

Originally Posted by wharfy

Maybe not "World Beaters" but not a bad record - The Ducati's that the Britten beat at Daytona where pretty much full on factory jobs.
to quote somebody (who's name I don't remember) "Perhaps John's greatest talent was attracting and motivating other talented people"

Pretty sure that quote was by Kevin Cameron - TDC. Cameron also wrote a good story about Dr john Wittner developing his Guzzi into something that would both make serious power and stay together.

**Grumph** · 22nd January 2013, 19:33

Originally Posted by tail_end_charlie

I'm gonna question that a little bit here. For example, 1993 AMA Superbike race at Charlotte Motor Speedway the Ducati's were running right up there at the front (when they weren't quitting from electrical trouble that is) and the Britten went on to beat the Ducati's at Daytona in the battle of the Twins. So, using the Ducati's as a baseline, I would have thought that the Britten would have at least been in the ballpark for AMA Superbike, and probably not far off the BSB or WSBK.

That of course is assuming that the Ducati's at Daytona and Charlotte where in some way similar. The ones at Charlotte were the Ducati 851 Superbike (correct me if I'm wrong), but I don't know what exactly was racing at the Battle of the Twins at Daytona.

Remember the WSB round at manfield where John challenged the visitors to a match race ? Just as well it naver happened as there was around 2 sec per lap difference in times....and that was with the hippy Jason McEwan riding who at that time I'd have ranked with Holden. Just an amusing interlude for the serious racers. Would have seriously embarrassed John though if they'd taken the challenge.

**scrivy** · 22nd January 2013, 19:43

Originally Posted by Grumph

Remember the WSB round at manfield where John challenged the visitors to a match race ? Just as well it naver happened as there was around 2 sec per lap difference in times....and that was with the hippy Jason McEwan riding who at that time I'd have ranked with Holden. Just an amusing interlude for the serious racers. Would have seriously embarrassed John though if they'd taken the challenge.

What would Brittens budget have been compared to the factory teams?