NOTTON AND SHARP SHARE THE EUROPEAN CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE RACING HONOURS!
10 October 2004 - IHRO

With 4 races at UK circuits Brands Hatch (2), Snetterton and Cadwell Park and 3 races at the European circuits of Magny Cours(France), Chimay(Belgium) andSchleiz(Germany), the European Classic Sportmans Cup was hotly contested by full grids of European competitors.

Points are awarded as per the Classic Grand Prix era and the best 2 results from the UK races and the best 2 results from the European mainland races counted for the overall Championship positions. Two classes are catered for:- 350cc and 500cc
Specifically for Classic Grand Prix racing motorcycles from the 1960’s and 70’s, this modern day equivalent of the original ‘Continental Circus’ provided a spectacle of superb competitive racing.
By crashing out whilst in the lead at Magny Cours in July, Lea Gourlay (Manx Norton) effectively lost his chance to take Championship honours in the 500cc class. Luke Notton took advantage of Gourlay’s mistake on a track made very difficult by a last lap shower of rain and secured his first win of the 2004 series.. From then on Notton’s riding on the Oldfield Matchless G50 was impeccable. A further win at Shleiz and two second places at Brands Hatch and Snetterton secured the well earned Championship laurels. Lea Gourlay (Manx Norton)finished second and Phil Sharp (Tickle Manx) a very close 3rd.

In the 350cc Class, Phil Sharp riding a Tickle Manx, owned and prepared by Brian Richards, turned the tables on his friend and fiercest competitor for the title, Luke Notton(AJS 7R). Sharp managed 4 2nd placings but his consistency in the class gave him the 350cc Championship from Notton by 5 points with hard charging Nigel Palmer(Ducati) finishing a further 5 points behind in 3rd place.

Ton Groot (Manx Norton)was the most successful non UK resident rider.

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