Vintage Thrills: When Isle of Man TT Meets Pre-War BMW at Goodwood
Rain-soaked tarmac, the unmistakable bark of a pre-war engine, and a modern-day road racing hero pushing the limits of a 95-year-old machine. It’s not your typical day at the office, but then again, the Goodwood Revival is anything but typical.
As I stood trackside, watching Isle of Man TT star Davey Todd wrestle a 1928 BMW R57 Kompressor around the sodden circuit, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sheer audacity of it all. Here was a man accustomed to piloting cutting-edge superbikes at breakneck speeds, now perched atop a relic from motorcycling’s infancy.
A Dance with History
The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy is always a highlight of the Revival, but this year’s edition promised something special. Todd, fresh from his exploits on the Mountain Course, was slated to pilot a machine that predates the Goodwood circuit itself by a good two decades.
The BMW R57 Kompressor is no ordinary vintage bike. In its day, it was a technological tour de force, sporting a supercharged engine that gave it a significant power advantage over its naturally aspirated rivals. But by modern standards? Let’s just say it’s more “character-building” than “confidence-inspiring.”
No suspension, right-hand gearing, and older than most of the spectators’ grandparents – it’s a far cry from Todd’s usual TT steed.
When the Heavens Opened
As if piloting a pre-war motorcycle wasn’t challenging enough, Mother Nature decided to add an extra layer of difficulty. The skies opened up during official practice, turning the track into a treacherous ribbon of shiny asphalt.
For most riders, this would be a signal to dial things back a notch. But Todd? He seemed to take it as a personal challenge. As I huddled under my umbrella, notepad slowly turning to pulp, I watched in awe as he hustled the ancient BMW around the circuit at a pace that defied belief.
A Masterclass in Adaptability
What struck me most was Todd’s ability to adapt his riding style to the quirks of the R57. Gone were the knee-down heroics we’re used to seeing in modern racing. Instead, Todd adopted a more upright stance, using his body weight to coax the bike through corners.
The right-hand gearshift – a common feature on pre-war bikes but alien to modern riders – seemed to pose no problem. Todd was seamlessly swapping cogs, his left hand never leaving the bars as he navigated the treacherous conditions.
Technical Challenges and Triumphs
For the gearheads among us, here’s a quick rundown of what Todd was dealing with:
- A 750cc boxer twin engine with a supercharger (or “Kompressor” in BMW parlance)
- Rigid frame with no rear suspension
- Rudimentary front forks with minimal travel
- Drum brakes that, in the wet, are more suggestions than commands
- Narrow tires that offer grip levels best described as “optimistic”
Despite these challenges – or perhaps because of them – Todd’s performance was nothing short of mesmerizing. He was consistently lapping faster than riders on much newer machinery, a testament to both his skill and the enduring performance of the BMW design.
A Bridge Between Eras
Watching Todd pilot this pre-war beast around Goodwood, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to the early days of the Isle of Man TT. Those pioneering riders faced similar challenges – primitive machinery, unpredictable conditions, and courses that demanded the utmost respect.
In many ways, Todd’s ride was a living history lesson. It connected the dots between the daredevils of the early 20th century and the modern-day road racing heroes. The speeds may have increased, and the technology may have advanced, but the fundamental challenge remains the same: man and machine in harmony, pushing the limits of what’s possible.
Looking Ahead
As practice wrapped up and Todd rolled back into the pits, the buzz around the paddock was palpable. If this was just practice, what could we expect come race day?
The Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy is always a highlight of the Revival, but this year’s edition promises to be something truly special. With Todd demonstrating that the old BMW still has plenty of fight left in it, we could be in for a classic David vs. Goliath battle against the newer, more advanced machines.
One thing’s for certain – I’ll be trackside, rain or shine, to witness whatever magic Todd and that remarkable R57 Kompressor can conjure up. In a world of ever-advancing technology and computer-controlled everything, there’s something refreshingly pure about watching a skilled rider extract every ounce of performance from a 95-year-old motorcycle.
It’s moments like these that remind us why we fell in love with motorsport in the first place. The smell of castor oil, the bark of ancient engines, and the sight of riders pushing themselves and their machines to the limit – it’s intoxicating stuff.
So here’s to Davey Todd, to BMW’s engineering prowess that’s stood the test of time, and to the Goodwood Revival for giving us this glorious glimpse into motorsport’s rich history. May the races be close, the weather be kind (but not too kind – where’s the challenge in that?), and the spirit of Barry Sheene smile down on all who take to the track.
