A FAITHFUL replica of a racing machine so rare you’re never likely to see one in the flesh has been added to the line-up for Bristol’s biggest and best gathering of classic motorcycles.
The Norton Domiracer 500cc, created by Chris Hawksley of Solo Motorcycle Products, joins two rare Moto Guzzi racers from the museum of ex-Grand Prix racer and trials legend Sammy Miller at the 33rd Carole Nash Bristol Classic Motorcycle Show on February 16-17.
The original Domiracer, developed from the road-going 500cc Dominator, was produced by Norton Motorcycles engineer Doug Hele specifically for the 1961 Isle of Man TT. Australian rider Tom Phillis stunned the crowds and his competitors by riding it to third place in the Senior TT behind Mike Hailwood and Bob McIntyre who were on highly tuned race-bred Manx Nortons.
The project was wrapped up the following year and the remaining Domiracer bits were sold on.
The Bristol Classic event takes place at the Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN.
In addition to the Domiracer and the Moto Guzzis – a 1957 V8 500cc racer and a 1950 Moto Guzzi V-twin 500cc – the event will include 65 clubs showing off their members’ carefully prepared machines and dozens of polished and gleaming private entries from throughout motorcycling yesteryear.
More than 300 traders will be there too, offering everything from bikes, parts, tools and leathers to maintenance services, insurance, workshop manuals, books, magazines, memorabilia, transfers and even gifts.
Classic Bike Shows organiser Nick Mowbray said: “The Domiracer is one of those motorcycles that should be on every classic motorcycle fan’s list of dream rides. The Manx TT races of the early 1960s were among the greatest in the event’s history and Chris Hawksley is bringing a little bit of that racing magic with him to this year’s Bristol Classic.
“While you’re unlikely to ever see the original Domiracer prototype, this is a chance to relive the thrill of the race through a very carefully made reproduction. We’ve got a great line-up of gorgeous classics booked to appear alongside it – so many in fact that you might struggle to see them all in one day.”
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