After enjoying his time racing a vintage BSA outfit at Sellicks Beach earlier this year, Royce was given the opportunity to take on some extra horsepower with a ride on a road racing sidecar at Mac Park recently.

A big thank you goes out to Scott Deslandes (former Australian Champion sidecar passenger with Gavin Porteous) for organising the practice run, and Grant Howarth for bravely allowing Royce the use of his outfit.

About five sidecars were present at Mac Park on the day, and all the teams were impressed with how Royce rode so smoothly on his first attempt, given they are totally different to a solo.

After straining to grow a beard and fit in with the other sidecar crew, Royce and his furry lip had this to say, “I had a ball on the classic bike In April, but winter then came along and put bit of a dampener on getting out and testing my body on the bike. Still spending a lot of time in the gym in the cold months working on my joints and strength has definitely been helping.

“I’m wanting to get back into some competitive racing, though I’m still not where I’d like to be on the modern solos with my hips limiting how much I can hang off the bike.

“So, what’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a sidecar and a well-dressed man on a motorbike? Attire.

“I’ve been keen to find out if my body would be able to handle racing a modern sidecar.

“My first session out, I was swinging to get an idea of how everything works and a bit of fun. Grant took it easy all of one lap before his long time racing buddy Jock went past us and the pace picked up.

“Trying to be smooth and not upset the bike, I learnt quickly… that I had to be quick. With the fast direction change after coming around the water tower, climbing back to the other side of the bike, Grant got on the gas as I was leisurely making my way across for the far handle. Nearly toppling backwards under acceleration I reached for the middle handle and held on for dear life. It was a great rush and to be climbing around the outfit at speed, it certainly was an experience.

“I then had a couple sessions in the driver’s seat with world-class Scotty swinging for me. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, with my only experience being on an old BSA and Pa’s Ariel. Both felt like wrestling a truck to turn corners.

“I was surprised how nice the modern sidecar was to steer around corners. With each lap I was slowly becoming more spatially aware of the extra width I now had, I don’t think Scotty spent too much time in the dirt. Then there’s getting used to all your braking done with one foot, controlling all of the three brakes, slightly different lines, not hanging off the bike, always being tucked in, oh and did I mention it has three wheels?!

“With each lap getting quicker and quicker, I could definitely see myself taking this on as a new challenge welcoming the complexity of something completely different. I can’t wait for my next outing.”

We are exploring the purchase of an outfit but is likely to be a long process as we must look to the UK to find something.

Earlier this month, Royce made his eager return to motorcycle competition after a lengthy hiatus due to the major accident at the Isle of Man in 2019.

Rather than opting for the modern steed, the team took up an offer from Andrew Burford to ride his 1976 TR 750 Suzuki two-stroke triple at the Australian Historic Road Racing Championships.

Held at Mac Park, Mount Gambier, it was a massive race meeting which had been postponed twice in the past two years due to COVID. The track was bustling with over 350 entries from every state and territory in Australia and spectators from all around the country.

The majority of riders had been waiting the same amount of time for this opportunity to hit the track thanks to border closures and lockdowns, so the atmosphere was undeniably electric.

Royce entered the TR in two classes, the Formula 750 Championship and the Unlimited Championship (for bikes up to 1300cc).

The TR is still being developed and we encountered a few issues over the course of the meeting, including clutch and gearbox complications, but we continued on with Royce having to find work arounds for the minor problems.

We were rapt to see him secure second place in the F750 Championship and fifth in the Unlimited Championship – despite giving away more than 50% additional engine capacity.

The TR was a testament to Andrew Burford’s determination, as it has taken him a couple of decades to complete the build and an amount of money we won’t publish in case his wife reads this.

Despite having the reputation as a hard man, Andy admitted to being a bit emotional as Royce crossed the line in his last heat.

After peeling Royce off the TR seat and onto a bar stool, he had this to say:

“I’ve been looking forward to this weekend’s racing! I’ve been working hard in the gym for a while now, so having a good crew by my side, it was set to be a good one.

“A month out from my wedding, I was torn between instructions. An angel and a devil on my shoulders, Beth saying take it easy, I don’t need a matching plaster cast to my wedding dress. In the other ear, Andy saying go hell for leather.

“With both of these thoughts in mind, I built my pace up slowly whilst still getting that adrenaline fix of having a tyre-to-tyre battle with fellow riders – a fix I’ve gone so long without.

“Feeling a bit like Zoolander and not being able to turn left due to ground clearance, plus a bit of a slipping clutch and some creaky bones, the bike was still manageable with each session getting quicker.

“I’ve missed that two-stroke feeling, obviously the 750 has a lot more power than Dad’s TZ125, but the vibrations, noise and smell still gave me those nostalgic feels of when I was younger.

“The meeting itself was jam packed full of riders and bikes. Of all the events to come back to for my first solo race, the historic championship was great. After a big weekend of riding and the ol’ hips getting a bit sore, limping around the pits I felt right at home with all the old codgers hobbling to the bar to reflect on a great weekend.

“Thanks to Andy for the privilege of getting to race the TR and Neil Gross for putting a lot of effort into getting it race ready. Neil gave some great pointers when I first tried taming the beast which really helped and his handy work is nothing short of genius. Also Doxboyz for the help and comradery over the weekend. Also the Pitmans for their help and advice, plus of course Dad for everything he does to enable my racing!

“I can’t wait to get back out on the bike next but first, I’ll go get hitched!”

Rowe Racing stepped back in time at Mallala recently when Andy Burford invited Royce to test his immaculate TR 750cc triple two-stroke replica.

For those too young to remember, the TR was Suzuki’s race bike built for the 750cc world championship class in the early/mid 1970s.

It was only the second time on track since the bike was completed, so there were a number of adjustments needed and still a lot more work to do, but overall the bike performed extremely well.

The plan is to keep developing the bike with an eye on next year’s Australian Historic Championships.

Between stints on the Suzuki, Royce was given the chance to ride a Yamaha TD2 (early 70s 250 racer) prepared by the Doxboyz Racing stable, just to keep sufficient two-stroke exhaust in the atmosphere.

Pausing his Skyhooks cassette, sipping on a Pina Colada, Royce said…

“With my limited classic racing experience, that being dads 125cc TZ and the sidecar in recent times, having a crack on a bigger classic bike sounded like a lot of fun! 

“Hoping not to do the same as Barry Sheene when he rode the thing last, I eased into it slowly picking up the pace as the day went on. 

“The riding position was a little easier on the old hips, so the bike was a hoot to chuck around Mallala.

“We got great weather and had great people there for the historic ride day. Thanks again to Andy for letting me have a ride and looking forward to the next outing on it.”

Royce and team braved a freezing cold and nearly deserted Mallala over the weekend, jumping at the opportunity to get some track time.

The main aim was to see how the physio work was playing out for Royce and whether his movement on the bike had improved.

We were sharing a garage with Davo Johnson, with Royce riding the two-valve 650 Ducati and sharing the four-valve with Davo.

Due to the cold weather, with the temperature not going above the low teens all day,

the pair virtually had the track to themselves.

Royce’s lap times were slower than usual, but still very respectable and fast enough to have produced podiums if it had been a race meeting.

Before entering the custom-built Swedish sauna fitted on the Rowe Racing trailer to warm his Terminator bones, Royce had this to say:

“Good to be back at Mallala and more importantly on the bike!”

“After my last track day a few months ago at The Bend, I’ve been working hard to get some more mobility as I was really struggling with left-hand corners.”

“Giancarlossimus at Thrive Physio Plus worked wonders on my left hip and we saw a big step in the right direction to being able to jump around the bike. With a way to go with strengthening, and mobility still has room for improvement, the protein shakes will be in full force trying to frequent the gym to keep seeing improvements on the bike.”

“I’m feeling like I’m getting close to being race ready on the solo, but in the meantime, my sack of potatoes Jess and I are gearing up for a hillclimb event in October on his old Velo sidecar for a historic meet, which should be some jolly good fun ol’ chaps!”

Hopefully more ride days will be on the cards soon!

Motorcycle racing at Sellicks Beach, South Australia, was a major event throughout the 1920s, 40s and 50s. After the idea of resurrecting the event gained traction in recent years, the Levis MCC sprang into action, now hosting an historic meeting bi-annually which invites riders to race down the sand on motorcycles built before 1962.

The team at Doxboyz Racing offered Royce a ride on their 1949/50 500cc BSA sidecar for this year’s event.

Pic: The Doxboyz Racing team (Neil, Dean, Daniel and Jess Watson with Royce) preparing the bike at Rowe Racing HQ

The Watsons prepared the bike immaculately and had it performing beautifully ready for the meeting.

It was a steep learning curve for Royce, who had never raced on the sand, or raced a rigid frame/girder fork bike… or a sidecar for that matter!

However, he adapted well. On the Saturday, in the second of their four races, Royce and passenger Jess were in second place in the 4-lap race (a lap being one mile, 800 metres down the beach, around a drum and 800 metres back to turn around another drum).

Pic: You got a beach? You got a racetrack! (credit: Steve Davis)

Unfortunately, one problem with beach racing is the inevitable change of tides. This race had been left a bit late and the bike was swamped by a freak wave. You can check video out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Rvp6LUxAY

Team mechanic Daniel dismantled most of the bike to try and get rid of the sand, sea water and seaweed and did a great job, getting the bike mobile for Sunday’s races, but the seawater had affected the magneto so it was no longer running correctly. 

BRACE FOR IMPACT! (credit: Foot in bowl photography)

Nonetheless, Royce and Jess ended up 3rd overall after the four heats.

In what can be considered a nice nod to history, the founder of Rowe Racing, Darrell Rowe actually first started racing in 1950 on a sidecar at places such as Sellicks Beach, so after 70 years the wheel has turned full circle.

Pic: Not a bad way to spend your Sunday! (credit: Deb Lock)

After drying off and pulling the seaweed out of his lucky jocks, Royce said:

‘Sellicks Beach was a great way to tick off my first race back in motorsport – it was my first time on the sand and first time racing a sidecar. Being a classic bike, it was a slower pace so easier on the bones, apart from the big bumps from the sea wash, which I think Jess felt a lot more than me! 

‘There was lots to learn being on the outfit, the body weight definitely making a difference to where the passenger was positioned – even if it was just the right hand corners. I loved the new experience! 

‘Not knowing how to swim, I was hoping the tide wouldn’t come too far up but alas, last race of Saturday, Poseidon had other ideas and forced Jess and I to do our best Kelly Slater impression resulting in some overtime for Dan the mechanic man, with Dad, Neil and Dean’s expert opinion flowing in from the sideline! 

‘After tackling the sand, I’m pretty sure this won’t be the end of our classic adventure, but some track days on a modern bike are definitely in the cross hairs, as I’m itching to get out on the Ducati!’

With decent weather slowly appearing in South Oz, Rowe Racing took the opportunity to break out the 650 Manx Ducati and 1000cc Rosser Ducati at the The Bend Motorsport Park recently.

Royce was looking comfortable and smooth on track, although still needed a bit of help getting on and off the bikes.

Pic: Royce’s new neck warmer is both aero-dynamic and distracting to chasing competitors… great success!

Both bikes were running perfectly as usual and it was great to maximise track time. There was full capacity on the track as riders emerged from lockdown hibernation as restrictions are further eased in South Australia as we are virtually back to normal.

(Credit: JGJ Photography)

After the long day, Royce had this to say;

‘First time back at The Bend after over a year and it was the busiest I’ve ever seen it! It was great fun on track being a bit easier on the bones then Mallala which was nice. 

‘With loaded sessions, it made it fun still being able to go through lots of traffic at my reduced pace. Lots of stretching before each ride helped with the reduced mobility of the ol’ hips. 

‘My program of gym and physio is helping slowly to allow me to move a bit better on the bike. I’m not quite ready for the length of a race just yet but I will get there and I’m very much looking forward to it!’

After a riding hiatus of almost ten months due to injuries suffered at last year’s Manx GP, Royce is finally back on the bike, taking part in a recent Mallala track day.

PIC: Royce and DJ promptly jumped into the team’s purpose-built disinfectant bath after realising the 1.5 metre rule had been breached!

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The track was a little slippery holding damp patches all day, but over 80 riders were still in attendance for the track day as COVID-19 restrictions are gradually eased in Adelaide, Australia.

Royce and Dave Johnson took turns piloting the 650cc water-cooled Ducati that Royce rode at last year’s Manx GP.

PIC: Although damp in patches, Royce was quick to get back in the swing of things. (Credit: Deb Lock)

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Royce also took the old air-cooled Duke out and Brian Rosser’s 1000cc Duke.

He attracted a lot of attention from familiar faces in attendance, impressing with his ability to get straight back onto three different machines and put in some very respectable lap times after such a long break from racing.

Although those times weren’t quite hitting his regular pace, track conditions and his physical restrictions all played a part, the latter still in the process of regularly improving thanks to gym work.

PIC: Our pit crew enjoying a well-deserved beverage after working hard to help ensure the day ran smoothly.

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After ordering his fluffy duck at the Mallala Hotel, Royce had this to say,

“My last injury I was off the bike for six months, and this time it’s been pushed out to over 9 months! As many of you would understand, even a few weeks can be way too long of a time spent off the bike!

“Mallala is the first track I ever rode, so it was a comfortable place to start again.

“After getting the leg over the bike though, I now know why my Pa used to prefer climbing onto the sidecar in his old age.

“Luckily for me, my young bones have been healing well – however there’s still lots of hard work to come and it will be a while until I’m able to move around the bike like I used to.

“My hips were quite restricting when I was trying to get my knee out but I still had heaps of fun cutting a few laps.

“Thanks heaps to Dad and the crew that came out and safely social-distanced while helping me get out on the track, because I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it alone!

“With some more work in the gym and the physio to keep freeing up the body and I’ll be running in no time!”

PIC: Royce enjoying the smooth 650 water-cooled Ducati (Credit: Deb Lock)

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With winter in full swing, we’re not sure on when the next track day will be, but fingers crossed some opportunities arise in coming months for Royce to continue practicing and returning his times back down to the point where he was previously. Thanks again to everyone for their support, see you trackside!

 

As with most in the current climate, there’s not a lot to report out of Rowe Racing HQ. Royce has been trying to keep busy and work on his fitness, albeit with gyms shut.

He was recently contacted by Road Racing UK to answer a bunch of questions for their top six series targeted at riders who’ve competed on the Isle of Man, you can read it here.

Unfortunately, news came through recently that the ManxGP and Classic TT will be cancelled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, much like most other international road races this year. Maybe the only plus was the journalist using a great picture of Royce as the story lead shot!

Although races are currently prohibited under social-distancing laws, fingers crossed some local tracks will have the opportunity to run race meetings soon while following social-distancing measures.

PIC: Royce poised and ready to jump back in the saddle!

Chatting to Royce in his hazmat suit from a solid 1.5 metres away, he had this to say.

“I know everyone is pretty eager to get back on their bike after the COVID-19 restrictions but I’m sure all of you understand, I’m extra eager.

“Very keen to swing my leg over a bike again (hips allowing) and to cut a few laps to get my fix instead of just dreaming of riding my beloved steed.

“Things were coming along well in the gym, with great guidance from my physio Matt, I was starting to get some heavier weights going.

“Not too much has happened in isolation gym-wise unfortunately as they’re shut, but just keeping moving, trying to get my flexibility back in my joints is good.

“I luckily managed to land a job with the government just before COVID-19 shut everything down, ending my 6 month long unemployed stint. A desk job compared to my previous hospitality work, my aching bones certainly welcomed it.

“The bike has been countlessly polished, ready and waiting to go, the count down now begins until the tracks reopen, I can’t wait!”

 

We’ll keep everyone updated once restrictions start to lift and Royce can hopefully get back on track to see how the body holds up!

After a relaxing Christmas break, Royce is continuing to progress well and gradually regain fitness. It will still be a number of months before he fully recovers, but he’s working hard with a view to getting back on the race track as soon as possible.

(Credit: Tracey’s Pics)

Speaking to Royce after his seventh protein shake for the day in an attempt to bulk up, he had this to say;

‘The slowest I’ll ever go is right now on my slow road to recovery.

‘Each day though, I’m upping the speed and making progress. All the doctors have been very happy with how things have been healing.

‘I’ve been in the gym doing my physio and trying to stack the weight back on. At the end of the month I’ll try to get out to The Bend Motorsport Park for a look at the first round of the SA Titles so I can get bit of a motorcycle fix!

‘Beth, my family, friends and even strangers have all been so supportive in my recovery and I thank you for that. Hopefully I’ll recover enough in the coming months to get back on the bike, dreaming of racing isn’t quite cutting it anymore!’

(Credit: Tracey’s Pics)

Thanks to the amazing work by the staff at Aintree Hospital, we now have Royce back on home soil to start the rehab process in Adelaide.

PIC: Even after the tediously long flight, Royce and Beth had a smile after landing back in SA

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We’d like to thank everyone for their well wishes over the whole period and the continued support through Royce’s recovery.

Catching up with Royce over a Nippy’s juice and frog cake, he said, “Home sweet home! The last few weeks spent in Liverpool I was pretty ready to go home.

“Beth and I were both getting a bit homesick, but the nurses were doing a great job keeping our spirits up and so were the messages from home.

PIC: An honourary red

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“The day trip out to Liverpool city was freezing! But was great to get out for a cheeky Guinness and a wonderful feed.

“The physio work I’ve done in the hospital has brought me to my feet and slowly hobbling around now, but still lots to go to get my muscle back.

PIC: The rehab is well underway

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“Plenty of Maccas and fatty foods will be had to try and aid in my plight to put back on the 20kg I lost.

“I just want to say thank you to everyone that sent messages or spoke to my family to pass on well wishes, I really appreciated it all and it gave me that little extra encouragement to work hard and get home.

“Cheers everyone, it will take a bit more than this to keep me down!”

PIC: Seeya later, Aintree!