Mark Searle

[smiffy]

I know where he is as he came into our workshop yesterday with his son to pick up an SV race fairing . I only put 2 and 2 together after chatting to him for 10 mins . He used to race TZ's in the late 80's . Had a good natter with him

[steve-e]

I sort of remember. Tidy outfits I think? Red/blue? (that choice of colours hardly narrows it down does it )

[AL]

Very good rider in the early 1980 s
Im allmost sure he won the final round of the Marlboro Clubmans championship at Silverstone in 1983. Either him or Gary Thomas. Very wet race on the full old GP circuit. A certain old codger Kenny Howles was 3rd.
Alan

[Karl]

I remember Mark, used to race on a replica LCR, I think they called it an RCL or something like that. Think he tried his hand at Euro's at one point.

[smiffy]

All of you spot on .. all of this came up in conversation .

Yes Steve ... was red and blue

Yes Al .. he lead the whole race in the hammering rain and lost the lead on the last lap . he said Gary Thomas won the championship that year but not that race .

and yes Karl ... a clean sweep by you all .. he said his bike was copied from Mick Barton's LCR and he did Euro's on it

you lot want to get out more ... lol

[Karl]

And to add to the anorak, IIRC the "L" in RCL stood for Lawrence.

Is Mark's son riding an SV now then?

[grasstrackman]

And to add to the anorak, IIRC the "L" in RCL stood for Lawrence.

I was under the impression the "RC" bit stood for Roy or Ray Crawley or something similar, and the "L" was for "Long-un"
Of course there is as always the possibility I'm remembering something completely different!

[Karl]

Gareth, your absolutely correct with that, I think it was Roy.

[smiffy]

Roy is spot on .. remember him saying that name now regarding the chasis .

Yes karl , his son is racing in Minitwins this year with bemsee .

Talking to Mark he'd totally lost touch with the scene since he quit racing , and can tell he's a man who likes to catch up again .. lol , anyone in bemsee this year who fancies a beer and to talk "old school" sidecars will have a drinking partner

[Karl]

Hope you told him about this place

[bruce moore]

sold him my Windle 350 at the end of 1991 just after winning New Era Championships(red/whit/black)

[Alan Richardson]

He spent a fair bit of time in our awning at Brands. I raced against him and my brother Mark passengered for him once.

[sidecar135]

hi all

Dave Cotton & Roland Ray won at silverstone stayed at my house that nite ( where are they now)

Outfit was Yellow & red but for silverstone was brown & cream (not for me)
Roy Crawley made chassis when to Mick Bartons and copyed his (thanks) Roy started off with Allan May and Micky Gray. but lived in Aylesbury so i was just round the corner for me.

talking to lots of old friends at Brands when Ross was racing (sv)

[silverdreamer]

Think he had a go at the TT aswell.

[sidecar135]

Had a slow ride round in 1986 finished 23 87mph

Best two week