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Transatlantic Trophy

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Transatlantic Trophy
British rider John Cooper's 1971 BSA
CategoryMotorcycle road races
CountryUK
Inaugural season1971
Folded1991
Results
Anglo-American Match Races
Year Team Results Team
1971 UK 183-137[1] USA
Transatlantic Trophy
Year Team Results Team
1972 UK 252-210[1] USA
1973 UK 416-398[1] USA
1974 UK 416-401[1] USA
1975 UK 242-279[1] USA
1976 UK 412-384[1] USA
1977 UK 380-405[1] USA
1978 UK 435-379[1] USA
1979 UK 352-448[1] USA
1980 UK 370-442[2] USA
1981 UK 466-345[3] USA
1982 UK 491-313[3] USA
1983 UK 245-198[3] USA
1984 British Commonwealth 136-259[3] USA
1985 UK 336-254[3] USA
1986 UK 314-214[3] USA
1987 UK 745.5-993.5[3] USA
Eurolantic Challenge
Year Team Results Team
1988 UK 1 586-570[4] USA
UK 2 281-287 Europe
Transatlantic Superbike Challenge
Year Team Results Team
1991 UK 625-161[5] USA
Winning teams in green.

The Transatlantic Trophy (initially called Anglo-American Match Races) was an annual series of motorcycle races between the United Kingdom and America held from 1971 to 1988 and again in 1991. They were mostly held over the Easter weekend at Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Oulton Park, although some races were held at Donington Park and Snetterton. Three different specifications of motorcycles were used in the series at various times: AMA/F750, Superbike and GP.[6]

British journalists, Gavin Trippe and Bruce Cox, ran California based Motor Cycle Weekly and promoted motorcycle races in the US. The pair were keen to promote American racers in the UK. They met with Chris Lowe of Motor Circuit Developments (MCD), who ran Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Mallory Park circuits, and Jim Swift of the British Motorcycle Racing Club at the 1970 Daytona 200 and the plan for the Transatlantic Trophy was formulated. Ron Grant, the leader of the US Suzuki team supported the scheme.[7][8] Lowe approached BSA/Triumph who agreed to supply 750 cc racing triples for the riders and to support the series.[9]: 15 

BSA/Triumph withdrew after the 1971 event and John Player became the title sponsor from 1972. The name of the series was changed to Transatlantic Trophy in the same year.[10]: 5 

The initial format was 2 races at each of the three tracks over the Easter weekend: Brands Hatch (Good Friday), Mallory Park (Easter Sunday) and Oulton Park (Easter Monday).[11] Marlboro became the title sponsor in 1979.[12] Motor Circuit Developments sold Mallory Park in late 1982, and for 1983 Snetterton Circuit was used as the third circuit. To fit in with Snetterton's schedule the races were moved to May Day weekend.[13] There were allegations of financial irregularities by Motor Circuit Developments, in late 1983. Tom Wheatcroft, owner of Donington Park, stepped in and the entire series was staged at Donington Park from 1984.[14] There was no title sponsor for 1984[15] but Shell Oils sponsored the series from 1985[16] to 1987.[17] Brands Hatch returned as a venue in 1987, with 3 races at brands and six at Donington.[3]

Donington was to host the inaugural round of the Superbike World Championship on Easter Sunday 1988. For the mutual benefit of both WSB and the Transatlantic Match (which both used similar specification machines) the Transatlanic series was expanded to four teams and renamed the Eurolantic Challenge as it included European riders.[18] No matches were held in 1989 and 1990. The final match, known as the Transatlantic Superbike Challenge that year, was held at Brands Hatch and Mallory Park in May 1991.[6]

In 1984 Honda works rider Freddie Spencer crashed and broke bones in his feet. This caused him to miss the Spanish GP. Team mate Ron Haslam had also crashed. Honda withdrew its support for the non-championship event. Other manufactures followed suit over the next few years. Without the top riders the series declined and was cancelled after the 1991 matches.[8][14]

Matches

[edit]

1971

[edit]
Main article: 1971 Anglo-American Match Races

The inaugural Anglo-American Match Races event matched a 5 man British team with a 6 man American team, although only 5 Americans could race in any one race. American captain Gary Nixon fell in practice for the first race and broke his wrist so was unable to ride in any of the races. All riders were on BSA/Triumph 750 cc triples.[1][7]

BSA/Triumph had updated the racing triples for the 1971 Daytona 200, which BSA works rider Dick Mann had won. The changes included the compact "lowboy" frame, which was lower and lighter but had more ground clearance. Disc brakes had been fitted and the engines produced slightly more power. There were only a limited number of 1971 machines available. The British team plus Mann and Nixon received the upgraded machines. The rest of the American team used 1970 machines. This led to claims that the American team was disadvantaged.[11][19]

The UK won all races and the series 183-137.[11] Ray Pickrell and Paul Smart were the top scorers.[1][20]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Percy Tait (captain) Triumph Gary Nixon (captain) Triumph
John Cooper BSA Jim Rice BSA
Paul Smart Triumph Dave Aldana BSA
Ray Pickrell BSA Dick Mann BSA
Tony Jefferies Triumph Don Castro Triumph
Don Emde BSA
References[3][9]

1972

[edit]
1972 British captain Phil Read

The series was sponsored by John Player and the name changed to Transatlantic Trophy. No longer a one-make series, the BSAs and Triumphs were joined by Nortons, Suzukis and a Harley Davidson.[10] The British won the series 252-210.[1] Cal Rayborn, on an obsolete Harley Davidson as the factory refused to let him use his works machine, and Ray Pickrell were the top scorers with 3 wins each.[1][20][21][22] Don Emde crashed heavily during practice at Oulton Park. His bike ended up in the lake and was hosed down by the Fire Brigade to remove the mud.[23]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Phil Read (captain) Norton Dick Mann (captain) BSA
John Cooper BSA Cal Rayborn Harley Davidson
Tony Jefferies Triumph Don Emde Norton
Ray Pickrell BSA Ron Grant Suzuki
Peter Williams Norton Art Baumann Suzuki
Tony Rutter Norton Jody Nicholas Suzuki
References[3][10]: 17 

1973

[edit]
1973 Norton Monocoque as raced by Peter Williams

BSA-Triumph was now part of Norton Villiers Triumph[24] and the BSA brand had been dropped so only Triumph badged triples were entered.[25] Kawasaki bikes appeared for the first time, making 5 different marques on the grid. Britain won the series 416-398. Yvon Duhamel and Peter Williams were the top scorers in the wet races.[1]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Paul Smart (captain) Suzuki Cal Rayborn (captain) Harley Davidson
Barry Sheene Suzuki Mert Lawwill Harley Davidson
John Cooper/Dave Croxford[a] John Player Norton Doug Sehl Canada Harley Davidson
Peter Williams John Player Norton Gary Nixon Kawasaki
Tony Jefferies Triumph Yvon Duhamel Canada Kawasaki
Percy Tait Triumph Art Baumann Kawasaki
Mick Grant Seeley-Kawasaki Ron Grant Suzuki
Dave Potter Khun-Norton Dave Aldana John Player Norton
References[3][28]
  1. ^ Cooper crashed his 350 Yamsel in a support race at Mallory Park and Croxford took his place in the Mallory Trophy races.[26][27]

1974

[edit]
Kenny Roberts, who won four of the six races in 1974

Yamaha motorcycles entered the series for the first time this year with the Yamaha TZ750.[29] Britain won the series 416-401 although American Kenny Roberts was the top scorer with 4 wins.[1] Roberts bike, which was fitted with the newly introduced slick tyres, nearly failed scrutineering for "bald tyres".[29]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Paul Smart (captain) Suzuki Yvon Duhamel Canada (captain) Kawasaki
Peter Williams John Player Norton Kenny Roberts Yamaha
Dave Croxford John Player Norton Gary Fisher Yamaha
Barry Sheene Suzuki Gene Romero Yamaha
Stan Woods Suzuki John Long Yamaha
Barry Ditchburn Yamaha Dave Aldana Norton
Mick Grant Yamaha Art Baumann Kawasaki/Yamaha[a]
Percy Tait Triumph/Norton[b] Gary Nixon Suzuki
Ron Chandler (reserve) Kawasaki Jim Evans (reserve) Yamaha
References[3][14][30]
  1. ^ Baumann used a borrowed Yamaha at Oulton Park following the breakage of his Kawasaki[3]
  2. ^ Tait used a Kuhn Norton for the second race at Brands Hatch after his factory Triumph broke down. He completed the rest of the series on a Boyer Triumph[3]

1975

[edit]

The Brands Hatch races were cancelled due to snow.[1] The first race at Mallory Park started dry but snow started to fall near the end of the race. The second race was wet and shortened from 20 to 15 laps.[29] Dave Aldana was the top scorer, although Kenny Roberts had won 3 races.[31] The American team had their first series win scoring 279-242.[1][32][33]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Percy Tait (captain) Yamaha Kenny Roberts (captain) Yamaha
Stan Woods Suzuki Gene Romero Yamaha
John Newbold Suzuki Don Castro Yamaha
Mick Grant Kawasaki Steve Baker Yamaha
Barry Ditchburn Kawasaki Steve McLaughlin Yamaha
Dave Croxford Norton Pat Hennen Suzuki
Dave Potter Yamaha Dave Aldana Suzuki
Pat Mahoney Yamaha Phil McDonald Yamaha
Charlie Williams (reserve) Yamaha Randy Cleek (reserve) Yamaha
References[3][34]

1976

[edit]
Steve Baker (pictured in 2016) was the top points scorer in 1976

The British team had included John Newbold, but he dropped out. Reserve Steve Parrish was promoted to a full team member and Ron Haslam brought in as the reserve.[3][35] Phil McDonald was to have been in the American team but was injured prior to the matches.[36]

Norton had commissioned Cosworth to build a twin-cylinder engine based on their highly successful DFV Formula 1 engine. Dave Croxford entered the series on one of the Cosworth-Nortons but the underdeveloped machine performed poorly at Brands and was withdrawn for the other two rounds.[37]

Steve Baker was the top scorer with 4 wins.[1]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Phil Read (captain) Yamaha Kenny Roberts (captain) Yamaha
Mick Grant Kawasaki Gene Romero Yamaha
Barry Ditchburn Kawasaki Gary Nixon Kawasaki
Dave Potter Yamaha Randy Cleek Yamaha
Barry Sheene Suzuki Steve Baker Yamaha
Steve Parrish Suzuki Pat Hennen Suzuki
Dave Croxford Cosworth-Norton Pat Evans Yamaha
John Williams Suzuki Ron Pierce Kawasaki
Ron Haslam (reserve) Yamaha Marty Lunde (reserve) Yamaha
References[3][35]

1977

[edit]
Barry Sheene, the only British race winner in 1977

The American team was to consist of Dave Aldana, Steve Baker, Randy Cleek, Pat Evans, Pat Hennen, Ron Pierce, Kenny Roberts, Gary Scott and Dave Emde as reserve. Following a disagreement with his sponsor Pierce withdrew from the team. Emde was promoted to a full team member and Skip Aksland brought in as reserve. Evans was killed at the Imola Circuit the weekend prior to the Transatlantic Trophy and Cleek killed in a road accident on his way back from the Imola track. Pierce re-joined the team, Aksland was promoted to a full team member and Kevin Stafford introduced as reserve.[3][38][39]

Barry Sheene won one race for the UK but the other five races were won by Americans; Roberts won four races and Hennen one.[40] Hennen was the top scorer.[1] The Americans won the series 405-380.[41]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Percy Tait (captain) non-riding Kenny Roberts (captain) Yamaha
Steve Parrish Suzuki Pat Hennen Suzuki
Phil Read Kawasaki Gary Scott Yamaha
Dave Potter Yamaha Dave Emde Yamaha
Barry Sheene Suzuki Dave Aldana Yamaha
Paul Smart Yamaha Ron Pierce Yamaha
John Williams Yamaha Skip Aksland Yamaha
Mick Grant Kawasaki Steve Baker Yamaha
Barry Ditchburn Kawasaki Kevin Stafford (reserve) Yamaha
Roger Marshall (reserve) Yamaha
References[3][42]

1978

[edit]
1978 Easter Trans-Atlantic races at Oulton Park

Barry Sheene, Mick Grant and Dave Potter were seeded into the team. The rest of the teams was decided by lap times during a qualifying session prior to the first race at Brands Hatch.[43]

The UK won the series 435-379 in front of a combined crowd of 150,000.[44] Pat Hennen was the top scorer.[1]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Barry Sheene (captain) Suzuki Kenny Roberts (captain) Yamaha
Mick Grant Kawasaki Pat Hennen Suzuki
Dave Potter Yamaha Gene Romero Yamaha
Barry Ditchburn Yamaha Dave Aldana Yamaha
Roger Marshall Yamaha Skip Aksland Yamaha
Ron Haslam Yamaha David Emde Yamaha
John Williams Yamaha Dale Singleton Yamaha
Steve Manship Yamaha Mike Baldwin Yamaha
Steve Wright (reserve) Yamaha Bruce Hammer (reserve) Yamaha
References[3][44]

1979

[edit]
Barry Ditchburn, one of the seeded British team

Barry Sheene, Mick Grant, Dave Potter, Barry Ditchburn, Tom Herron and Steve Parrish were seeded into the British team. The remaining three members qualified for their places in a qualifying session on the day before the first race at the Brands Hatch round.[12]

The American obtained the highest winning margin to date, 448-352, winning all 3 rounds. Mike Baldwin was the top scorer.[1]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Barry Sheene (captain) Suzuki Dave Aldana (captain) Yamaha
Mick Grant Yamaha Steve Baker Yamaha
Dave Potter Yamaha Mike Baldwin Yamaha
Barry Ditchburn Kawasaki Dale Singleton Yamaha
Tom Herron Suzuki Gene Romero Yamaha
Steve Parrish Suzuki Randy Mamola Yamaha
John Newbold Yamaha Rich Schlachter Yamaha
Ron Haslam Yamaha Wes Cooley Yamaha
Keith Huewen Yamaha John Long Yamaha
References[3][45]

1980

[edit]
Mike Hailwood, non-riding captain of the British team in 1980

AMA Superbike Championship specification machines were permitted, allowing Dave Aldana and Wes Cooley to use 1,024cc Yoshimura Suzuki machines.[1][46] Americans won all the races: Kenny Roberts 3, Freddie Spencer 2 and Randy Mamola 1.[3] The USA won the series 442-370 and Roberts was the top scorer.[2] 140,000 fans attended the races.[47]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Mike Hailwood (captain) Non-riding Kenny Roberts (captain) Yamaha 750
Barry Sheene Yamaha 750 Dale Singleton Yamaha 750
Ron Haslam Yamaha 750 Rich Schlachter Yamaha 750
Graeme Crosby New Zealand Suzuki 653, 500 Freddie Spencer Yamaha 750
Keith Huewen Yamaha 750 John Long Yamaha 750
John Newbold Yamaha 750 Wes Cooley Yoshimura-Suzuki 1024
Graham Wood Suzuki 500 Randy Mamola Suzuki 653, 500
Dave Potter Yamaha 750 Dave Aldana Yoshimura-Suzuki 1024
Mick Grant Yamaha 750 Skip Aksland Yamaha 750
Steve Manship Yamaha 750
Alan Pacey (reserve) Yamaha 750
References[2][3][46]

1981

[edit]
Randy Mamola (pictured in 2009), won three of the races in 1981

The American team was depleted for the 1981 races. World Champion Kenny Roberts was unavailable for the series as he was required by Yamaha to test their new square four GP racer.[48] Dave Aldana and Mike Baldwin were competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race for Honda.[13] Yoshimura and Suzuki refused to allow Wes Cooley to use his Superbike for the series and he used a borrowed a 750 Yamaha for the races. A Honda America Superbike wasn't available for Freddie Spencer to use and had to compete on a borrowed Suzuki RG500.[48]

Randy Mamola won three races for the US.[3] John Newbold was the top points scorer for Great Britain, who won the series 466-345..[49]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Joey Dunlop Honda 1100 James Adamo Yamaha 750
Ron Haslam Honda 1100 Dan Chivington Yamaha 750
Steve Henshaw Yamaha 750 Wes Cooley Yamaha 750
Keith Huewen Suzuki 500 John Long Yamaha 750
Roger Marshall Kawasaki 1000 Randy Mamola Suzuki 500
John Newbold Suzuki 1000 Nicky Richichi Yamaha 750
Dave Potter Yamaha 750 Rich Schlachter Yamaha 750
Barry Sheene Yamaha 750 Dale Singleton Yamaha 750
Graham Wood Yamaha 750 Freddie Spencer Suzuki 500
References[3]

1982

[edit]

The American team was again understrength this year with Kenny Roberts and Randy Mamola testing GP machines. Freddie Spencer crashed in the first race and destroyed his machine. Without a spare available he was out for the rest of the match. Barry Sheene won 5 of the 6 races. A mistake on the last lap of the other race while in the lead allowed Roger Marshall to pass and deprive Sheene of a $40,0000 bonus for winning all the races.[13]

Sheene was the top scorer with Dave Aldana the top scoring American. Britain won the series 491-313.[13]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Steve Henshaw 750 Yamaha Dave Aldana 750 Yamaha
Keith Huewen 500 Suzuki Mike Baldwin 1000 Honda
Gary Lingham 500 Suzuki Wes Cooley 997 Suzuki
Roger Marshall 997 Suzuki Mark Homchick 750 Yamaha
John Newbold 997 Suzuki Roberto Pietri Venezuela Suzuki
Steve Parrish 500 Yamaha Nicky Richichi 750 Yamaha
Barry Sheene 500 Yamaha Rich Schlachter 750 Yamaha
Bob Smith 500 Suzuki Dale Singleton 750 Yamaha
Graham Wood 750 Yamaha Alan Ward 750 Yamaha
References[3]

1983

[edit]
Ron Haslam won four races and was the top scorer in 1983

Motor Circuit Developments (MCD), the owners of the 3 circuits used for the races, Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Oulton Park, came under financial pressure from their parent company, Eagle Star Insurance in 1982. This resulted in MCD selling Mallory Park in late 1982. Snetterton was owned by MCD and was chosen to replace Mallory Park. To fit into Snetterton's schedule, the Trophy races were pushed back from Easter to May Day weekend and the order of races reversed. Oulton Park held the first races and Brands Hatch the last.[13]

The later running of the races meant the GP season had started and Honda would not sanction Freddie Spencer taking part. Mike Baldwin fell in the first race and broke three toes, putting him out of the rest of the races. As there were no reserve riders, the American team raced with a man short. Kenny Roberts and Eddie Lawson were both on the Yamaha square 4 680 cc OW69 that they had scored a 1-2 at that year's Daytona 200. But the wet conditions and tight circuits didn't allow them to make full use of the considerable power the Yamaha made.[13]

Ron Haslam was the top scorer and won four races, Randy Mamola won the other two. Britain won the series 245-198.[3][50]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Ron Haslam 500 Honda Dave Aldana 500 Suzuki
Keith Huewen 500 Suzuki Mike Baldwin 999 Honda
Roger Marshall 500 Honda Wes Cooley 1025 Kawasaki
Mark Salle 500 Suzuki Eddie Lawson 680 Yamaha
Barry Sheene 500 Suzuki Randy Mamola 500 Suzuki
Graham Wood 750 Yamaha Kenny Roberts 680 Yamaha
References[3]

1984

[edit]
Freddie Spencer, who won two of the races in 1984 before crashing and breaking bones in both feet.

There were allegations of financial irregularities by Motor Circuit Developments, owners of the circuits the matches were run on, in late 1983 and the future of the matches was in doubt. Tom Wheatcroft, owner of Donington Park, stepped in and arranged for the series to be staged at Donington. The races were run at Donington with 3 races each day on Easter Sunday and Monday in front of an 85,000 crowd.[14]

The British team included New Zealander Graeme Crosby and Australian Wayne Gardner[3] was billed as the British Commonwealth.[15]

The American team included the top four of the 1983 GP Championship. Wayne Rainey was injured in a crash in practice and didn't compete in the races.[17] Freddie Spencer crashed in the races and broke bones in both his feet.[14]

Americans won all the races; Randy Mamola winning three, Spencer two and Kenny Roberts one, and won the series 259-136.[3]

Teams
British Commonwealth USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Ron Haslam Honda NS500 Freddie Spencer Suzuki RG500
Barry Sheene Suzuki RG500 Kenny Roberts Yamaha TZR500
Wayne Gardner Australia Honda RS500 Randy Mamola Honda NS500
Roger Marshall Honda RS500 Eddie Lawson Yamaha TZR500
Graeme Crosby New Zealand Yoshimura-Suzuki 1023 Wayne Rainey Yamaha TZ500
Keith Huewen Honda RS500 Wes Cooley Honda RS500
Rob McElnea Suzuki RG500 Mike Baldwin Honda RS500
References[3][15]

1985

[edit]

The match returned to its usual format of two races a day on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday which was less demanding for the riders. Honda refused to let Freddie Spencer take part and Yamaha blocked Eddie Lawson's participation. Kenny Roberts was busy putting together a 500 cc GP team, leaving Randy Mamola and Mike Baldwin to lead a team of mostly non-factory riders.[13]

Wayne Gardner, the Australian riding for Britain, won three races and Mamola two. Britain won the series 336-254.[3]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Ron Haslam 500 Honda Mike Baldwin 500 Honda
Steve Parrish 500 Yamaha Rich Schlachter 500 Honda
Wayne Gardner Australia 500 Honda Randy Mamola 500 Honda
Roger Burnett 500 Honda James Adamo 500 Cagiva
Mick Grant 998 Suzuki Doug Brauneck Yamaha
Roger Marshall 500 Honda Randy Renfrow 500 Honda
Gary Lingham 500 Suzuki Jeff Haney 500 Honda
Rob McElnea 500 Suzuki Wayne Rainey Honda
References[3][16]

1986

[edit]
Kevin Schwantz, who won four races and was the top scorer in 1986

With the lack of American riders competing in GP racing and the rise in popularity of Superbikes both sides of the Atlantic, the series was run for Superbikes only. With the top US riders tied to GP contracts, the American team consisted of riders not well known outside the US.[13]

As he was unable to use his GP bike, Honda gave Ron Haslam a tuned version of the VFR750 to use. The bike blew up in practice leaving Haslam without a machine for the races. Haslam brought a new road-going version of the VFR750 from a local dealer, stripped off as many road going parts and fitted racing tyres. The tyres were intended for a 250 but were the largest that would fit on the bike. It rained during the first race making the lack of power and ground clearance compared to the full-blown superbikes less of a problem. Haslam finished in third place.[51]

8 races were run over the Easter weekend. Kevin Schwantz won 4 and Fred Merkel two.[13] Britain beat the USA 314-214. Kevin Schwantz was the top scorer with 84 points.[52]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Rob McElnea (captain) Yamaha 750 Fred Merkel (captain) Honda 750
Ron Haslam Honda 750 Ricky Orlando Honda
Steve Parrish Yamaha 750 Glenn Barry Honda
Neil Robinson Suzuki Rueben McMurter Canada Yamaha 750
Kenny Irons Yamaha 750 Sam McDonald Yamaha
Roger Burnett Honda 750 Dale Quarterley Yamaha 750
Roger Marshall Honda 750 Kevin Schwantz Suzuki 750
Gary Lingham Suzuki John Ashmead Honda
Keith Huewen Suzuki 750 John Bettencourt Honda 750
Graeme McGregor Australia Suzuki Dan Chivington Yamaha 750
Trevor Nation Suzuki 750 Michel Mercier Canada Suzuki 750
Chris Martin Suzuki 750 Lance Jones Honda
Paul Iddon Suzuki 750 Ted Boody Yamaha
References[3][53]

1987

[edit]

Brands Hatch returned as a venue, with 3 races on Good Friday. Donington hosted six races on Easter Sunday and Monday.[3] A 12 man British team were matched against an 11 man American team. Only the top ten riders of each team were awarded points in races. The motorcycles were to American Superbike specification.[17] 1987 American captain Fred Merkel couldn't agree terms for 1988 so wasn't in the team.[54] Three Canadians joined the American team: Michel Mercier and Gary Goodfellow with the backing of Suzuki Canada and Reuben McMurter from Yamaha Canada.[17] American Bubba Shobert crashed in practice and was unable to compete in the races.[54]

The intense rivalry between Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey carried over into the match races giving the British audience a preview of future battling between the pair in GP racing.[55][56]

All the races were won by Americans, Wayne Rainey won 5 of the races and Kevin Schwantz 4. America won the series 993.5-745.5.[3]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Simon Buckmaster 750 Honda Wayne Rainey 750 Honda
Mark Phillips 750 Suzuki Gary Goodfellow Canada 750 Suzuki
Ray Swann 750 Suzuki Ottis Lance 750 Suzuki
Trevor Nation 750 Yamaha Jim Filice 750 Yamaha
Ron Haslam 750 Honda Doug Polen 750 Suzuki
Phil Mellor 750 Suzuki Reuben McMurter Canada 750 Yamaha
Jamie Whitham 750 Suzuki Kevin Schwantz 750 Suzuki
Keith Huewen 750 Yamaha Michel Mercier Canada 750 Suzuki
Geoff Fowler 750 Yamaha John Ashmead 750 Honda
Roger Hurst 750 Yamaha Dan Chivington 750 Honda
Peter Dalby 750 Suzuki Bubba Shobert 750 Honda
Gary Lingham Kawasaki
References[3][17]

1988

[edit]

Donington was to host the inaugural round of the Superbike World Championship on Easter Sunday. For the mutual benefit of both WSB and the Transatlantic Match (which both used similar specification machines) the Transatlanic series was expanded to four teams and renamed the Eurolantic Challenge as it included European riders. For the promotors this allowed them to spread the costs over two series, and for the riders this offered the prospect of extra payday.[18]

The British No 1 team were led by Ron Haslam and the riders were all factory backed.[54] The American team was led by Bubba Shobert on a works Honda VFR750. For the first time, Yoshimura Suzuki sent a factory crew to support Doug Polen and Scott Gray. Four Canadians joined the American team on works bikes.[18]

Norton had introduced a twin rotor Wankel engined racer, the RC588. Although nominally 588 cc, the FIM had yet to agree with Norton the method of measuring displacement of the rotary engine. Until this was resolved the Norton could only race in national and non-championship races. Two machines were entered into the Eurolantic Challenge, ridden by Trevor Nation and Simon Buckmaster. This would be the first time the machines were raced.[54]

There were 3 races at Brands Hatch on Good Friday and 3 races at Donington on Easter Monday (the WSB races being on Easter Sunday).[54] Polen was the top scorer and had won four races. Shobert had won the other two. The British No 1 team were overall winners with 586 points, the Americans second with 570 points. Most of the European team left after the WSB and didn't compete on the Monday. This was reflected in their score of 287 points. The British No 2 team scored 281 points.[4]

Teams
UK 1 USA UK 2 Europe
Rider Machine Rider Machine Rider Machine Rider Machine
Ron Haslam (captain) Elf Honda Bubba Shobert (captain) Honda Roger Marshall (captain) Padgett Suzuki Anders Anderson Sweden (captain) Suzuki
Joey Dunlop Gemini Honda RC30 Fred Merkel Honda Trevor Nation Norton Peter Rubatto Germany Bimota Yamaha
Mark Phillips Bimota Yamaha Doug Polen Yoshimura Suzuki Kenny Irons Bridge Honda RC30 Jari Suhonen Finland Yamaha
Roger Burnett Shell Honda Gary Goodfellow Canada Suzuki Simon Buckmaster Norton Esko Kuparinen Finland Kawasaki
Phil Mellor Suzuki Rueben McMurter Canada Yamaha Andy McGladdery Suzuki Paul Ramon Belgium Honda RC30
Keith Huewen Bimota Yamaha Michel Mercier Canada Suzuki Paul Iddon Bimota Suzuki Hans Lindner Austria Honda
Jamie Whitham Suzuki Tom Douglas Canada Yamaha David Heal Suzuki Graeme McGregor Australia Honda RC30
Ray Swann Kawasaki Scott Gray Suzuki Darren Dixon Padgett Suzuki Michael Galinski Germany Bimota Yamaha
Terry Rymer (reserve) Yamaha Dieter Heinen Belgium (reserve) Honda RC30
Mark Linscott (reserve) Suzuki
References[54]

1991

[edit]

The series consisted of three races at Mallory Park and three at Brands Hatch,[14] the series was called the Transatlantic Superbike Challenge and run in early May.[3] The British team, led by captain Ron Haslam, was well known to racing fans but apart from captain Freddie Spencer, the American team were relatively unknown.[6] Canadian Miguel Duhamel, son of Yvon Duhamel, who had competed in the 1973 and 1974 matches, was in the American team.[57]

Ray Stringer won all three races at Brands Hatch. Haslam won two and Rob McElnea one at Mallory.[3] Britain won the series 625-161 and Stringer was the top scorer.[5]

Teams
UK USA
Rider Machine Rider Machine
Ron Haslam (captain) JPS Norton RCW588 Freddie Spencer (captain) Honda VFR 750
Terry Rymer Yamaha FZR 750R Thomas Stevens Yamaha FZR 750R
Brian Morrison Yamaha FZR 750R Jamie James Yamaha FZR 750R
Trevor Nation JPS Norton RCW588 Scott Russell Kawasaki ZXR 750R
Steve Spray Kawasaki ZXR 750R Jaques Guenette Canada Kawasaki ZXR 750R
Jamie Whitham Suzuki GSXR 750R Richard Arnaiz Honda VFR 750
John Reynolds Kawasaki ZXR 750R Robert Holden New Zealand Honda VFR 750
Rob McElnea Yamaha FZR 750R Luis Carlos Maurel Spain Yamaha FZR 750R
Carl Fogarty Honda VFR 750 Marcello Del Guidice
Ray Stringer Yamaha FZR 750R John Long Suzuki GSXR 750R
Niall MacKenzie Honda VFR 750 Michael Barnes Yamaha FZR 750R
Mark Linscott Honda VFR 750 Miguel Duhamel Canada Honda VFR 750
References[14][57]

Revivals

[edit]

Triumph Motorcycles Ltd revived the concept in 1996 with a single-make 3 race match at Donington using the 900 cc Speed Triple. Amongst the Americans competing was Dave Aldana, who had competed in the first Anglo-American Match Races in 1971. Britain won overall 614-426.[3][58]

The concept was again revived in May 2015 as part of the MCN Festival of Motorcycling at the East of England Showground when a Transatlantic Trophy was staged between British and American teams flat track racing.[59] The event was repeated at the 2016 show.[60][61]

In late 2015, MotoAmerica and BSB officials looked into the possibility of reviving the Transatlantic Trophy races, with races at three different circuits over a long weekend.[62]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v "Teamwork's The Key" (PDF). Motor Cycle News. 2 April 1980. p. 36. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Roberts Leads U.S. Win". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. 7 April 1980. p. 4. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an "The Transatlantic Trophy (Anglo-American Match)". Racing Memo (in French). Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  4. ^ a b Fraser, Colin (12 April 2012). "Remembering the First World Superbike Race – Part Three"". fraser96.rssing.com. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  5. ^ a b 1991 US vs UK Mallory & Brands. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2021 – via YouTube.
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