Charlie Shopland

[charlie prescott]

Hi Guy's.

Deryk

 Do you remember the Bob Collier Norton outfit?

 

The engine was in the prone position and the frame was made of cut up pushbike tubing. (that inspired me to cut me pushbikes up for the same cause.

 

The other Outfit of his I remember was the Norton Jubilee twin, and a converted Watsonian  "Bambi" Glass-fibre sidecar.

 

Where Bob left off Barry Kefford took over with his designs.

 

Happy Days.

 

Regards Charlie.

[charlie prescott]

Hi Guy's.

 

Hi Deryk.

 

 I think the great speedway and grass track rider that wore the number 22 plate was the  iconic  Lew Coffin?

 

He only passed from us this year at the age of 93?!!!

 

 Regards Charlie.

 

[hillary]

I can see how we got on to Lew Coffin in a Charlie/Geoff Shopland piece, which brings me to my next comment. I knew Lew for many years when I lived down in the south west and I recall him speaking with a newcomer to grass track when I was within earshot.

 

The newcomer to the grass was complaining about having to ride on stoney tracks. Lew's instant reply which I remember so well to this day and which is so pertinent to the newcomer's problem: "No stones at the front boy!" 

[GBunting]

I know this is an old post but after reading it with interest I had to comment. I actually worked with Charlie in the seventies at the garage in Minehead. He did indeed get a sponsorship by Comerfords Bultaco and made his own chair to match it. Geoff Hawkins was also a sidecar trialer and worked at the same garage. Most of our lunch hours were spent cleaning the outfits from the previous weekend, tweeking, tuning, or redesigning headstocks. There was always something to do. Or both of them helping the young kid with his BSA Bantam (me).