Topic: The 1970 Daytona CR750s.

[Sam Green Racing]

I found this forum when I was looking for information to build a stronger motor for Chris Cullens CR750.
I had put the bike together a few years earlier from info I gleaned from books and magazines.
When reading some of these books I found contradicting stories about the CRs and the Daytona race. In a UK magazine, a journalist had done an article on the CR750 quoting speeds around 180mph. This caused a debate to open in the letters colum that ran for over a year.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could hear what really happened from the people that rode the bikes and the teamsters that did their best to keep them running.
I was given a photograph of the team at Daytona and have managed to put names to all but two. Although most will getting on in age, I was wondering if we could get any of them to come on line and give their account of the bikes and the Daytona meeting.
I know four of the team from the UK and can try to get them on board, the ones I don't know I need some help with.
The list of names that I have as on the photograph are Dick Mann, Bob Hansen, Bob Jameson, Ron Robbins, Red Skampser, Tom Tamara and Tom Philips who to the best of my knowledge is no longer with us. Is there anyone out there that might know, or have any contacts that might know any of these guys?

Sam.



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[Sam Green Racing]

Thanks for that, I would think that Bob Hansen would be in his eighties now.

Sam.

[bwaller]

Sam,

I have been communicating with Terry lately about parts anyway, I'll ask him about Bob Hansen and if he knows the whereabouts of Dick "Bugsy" Mann.

Brent

[Sam Green Racing]

Thanks Brent, I knew I could count on your support.

I found that pic of the engine designer working on the 69 Bol D Or bike at Oulton Park, his name was Mr Matsuda.

Sam.

[MRieck]

Thanks for that, I would think that Bob Hansen would be in his eighties now.

Sam.

Yes...well into.

[736cc]

Mark McGrew is a good  contact in Minnesota, he's helluva good guy and in the CR750 loop.
http://www.m3racing.com/

[Sam Green Racing]

Thanks 736, Mark was one of the guys that got involved in the debate about the speed of the Daytona bikes. What the guys at M3 don't know about the speed of these bikes aint worth knowing. They have campaigned their bike with Adam Pop on board all over the world, a great team.

Sam.

[Caferacingparts]

Sam,
   Dick Mann is one of the motocross reps for AHRMA. His contact info. listed with AHRMA is
posted below. I've never talked to him myself, but have heard is very approachable. 
             Cheers, Bret @ Glass from the Past

  Dick Mann, 772 Foothill Road, Gardnerville, NV 89410; 775-265-4904; fax 775-265-4992
   

[Sam Green Racing]

Thanks Bret, I'll get onto it tonight.

Sam.

[medic09]

For those (like me) not up on the topic, here's a link with some nice photos.  The '180 mph' claim is mentioned as fact.  We'll have to wait for Sam to report back with his homework to hear more about what really transpired.

http://www.geocities.com/yosemite/Trails/6695/cr7503.htm

[Rock Store]

Sam CR750, Beautiful historic machines their youve built & own,Im a huge fan of Dick Mann & Hansen as well .If I can come up with any contacts Ill post it for you,although the guys seem to have you covered.Again great Machines Sam.Later..RS

[Sam Green Racing]

Thanks for the intrest guys, I've been holding back contacting people untill the thread was made sticky by Glenn (thanks Glenn).
I didn't want to try to bring these guys together if they had to scroll through several pages looking for the thread.
I'll write to Mr Mann tonight and contact the guys I know over here tomorow as it's getting late to be phoning people now.

Sam.

[malcolmgb]

hi Sam
just a thought you might try posting on this forum http://forums.autosport.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=10 in the 'Motorcycle Racing 1969-1990 Nostalgia' thread too. I know some racers from that period use it, though possibly Club & National.

[Sam Green Racing]

That's a coincidence, I found that forum and posted on it a few days ago but in a thread upto 68.
Nothing happened for several days but there has been several postings since I visited earlier this evening.
Thanks Malc.

Sam.

[736cc]

If I get the legend correctly, Dick Mann was a last-minute selection to ride the third back-up bike, and intuitively geared-it sky-high when he saw all the camchains breaking in practice. Then during the race his teamates broke camchains and Dick was so far out in front when HIS camchain started rattling he cruised at less than full-speed to victory.

I heard the fastest guy EVER at Daytona on a motorcycle was Kenny Roberts on a TZ750 going 200+ MPH.

[bwaller]

I was at Daytona the year Barry Sheene had his high speed get-off, and I think he broke the 200mph mark on his Suzuki. If I remember correctly that was on the oval though. Those bloody TZ's could probably hit 300mph if anyone could hang on long enough!!! Evil things.

[Sam Green Racing]

If I get the legend correctly, Dick Mann was a last-minute selection to ride the third back-up bike, and intuitively geared-it sky-high when he saw all the camchains breaking in practice. Then during the race his teamates broke camchains and Dick was so far out in front when HIS camchain started rattling he cruised at less than full-speed to victory.

I heard the fastest guy EVER at Daytona on a motorcycle was Kenny Roberts on a TZ750 going 200+ MPH.

Hi 736, The idea of trying to get the guys that rode them to tell the story is to try to get to the truth.
There were 4 factory bikes for deffinite as there were 4 riders.
There was also a private one entered (none factory) built by a guy named Woody Leone a Beaumont, Texas based Honda dealer from what I have read up on.
Did this back up bike get used after Ralf Bryans bike went up in flames ?....the book says not.

Sam.

[Sam Green Racing]

I was at Daytona the year Barry Sheene had his high speed get-off, and I think he broke the 200mph mark on his Suzuki. If I remember correctly that was on the oval though. Those bloody TZ's could probably hit 300mph if anyone could hang on long enough!!! Evil things.

Brent, I think Barrys bike did nearer 180mph and it was around that speed when he came off.
The TZ he was riding was a Suzuki

Sam.

[bwaller]

Yea Sam, the TZ quip was an aside!

I quess Sheenes Suzuki only looked like it was doing 200 when that tire let go. Man oh man that was hard to watch.

I still have not heard back from Team Hansen or Mark McGrew.

[Sam Green Racing]

I was about to ask you that...give them time.

I contacted a shop asking about a carbon fairing for my RS,  nearly $800 they havn't replyed yet, musn't need my money

Sam.

[JLeather]

Carbon fiber (raw) has gone way up in price over the last year or so.  So many cars and things use it now and there aren't enough places producing it to keep up.  I think a yard of carbon tripled in price over the last year.

[Sam Green Racing]

Well I've just got off the phone to the first of the riders, Tommy Robb, and he's agreed to grace us with his presence.
I've known Tommy for a number of years and he is very aproachable so don't be afraid of asking him your questions.
Tommy was a works Honda rider from the early 60s through to the 70 Daytona race. He is still involved with Honda when the big parade events come up, riding the Honda fours and the fantastic 6 cylinder 250.
Please make him welcome.

Sam.

[Bob Wessner]

..and the fantastic 6 cylinder 250.

Always wanted to see one of these engines with the head off, wonder if he has such a picture? In any event, look forward to his and other's presence here.

[Sam Green Racing]

I've managed to speak to Steve Murray, one of the English mechanics but he is off line at the moment, due to a switch of internet provider.
He came up with some good news and bad. Tom, the other English Mechanic is no longer with us, as are several of the US guys.
The good news is, he managed to come up with the address for Bob Jameson and the email address for rider Bill Smith.
Steves biggest problem is his memory, It comes and goes but when it does come he can remember the slightest detail.
He said he would join us when he comes back on line and help out where possible.
Something I forgot in my last post in this thread, Tommy Robb managed to come up with the email address for the other UK rider Ralph Bryans.

Sam.

[malcolmgb]

That's a coincidence, I found that forum and posted on it a few days ago but in a thread upto 68.
Nothing happened for several days but there has been several postings since I visited earlier this evening.
Thanks Malc.

Sam.

yes Sam after I had posted on here I also went to the 49-68 thread and saw your name, there is a black&white picture of Tommy Robb on there with the old Honda 250 twin, or could it be a 125 CR93?