The BFF Club
FF Events
FF Talk
FF Machines
FF Future
FF Supplies
FF Links
FF Feedback
Site Map

Malcolm's Maniacs Memorial Movement 2000
May 6th 2000

---

The Invitation to "Maniacs Everywhere"

Friends of Malcolm Newell RIP, originator of the modern FF, wish to remember him, his achievements, and his attitude to life. He was a maniac of the very best quality and the way chosen to remember him is a memorial run. This run will follow the roads that he used, to go to work, to frighten other people and for fun.

There is an off-road section which might disturb a sportsbike. There are rural sections which might surprise a pursuing car… There are some of the most technically challenging open roads in the area. There's a little motorway mileage and there should be a closed road event. Other FF highlights have been included, along with spectacular views and refreshments breaks.

 

Malcolm never discriminated between vehicle types, he drove everything like a maniac. So it will be on this run. It is certain that many of the FFs he and other innovators produced, will be on the run but all who appreciated and wish to remember Malcolm will be welcome regardless of vehicle type. Expect Tlters, Roofs, maybe Outriggers.

The run totals about 120miles, in three roughly equal sections. Two can be easily covered in one hour, one takes slightly more and has an optional break. An extra circuit of the more challenging parts is possible.

[snip]

This is a run for grown-ups; no-one is in charge or responsible for any actions but their own.

If you're there, you'll remember it!

The Meeting

Somewhat predictably, the start of the run was "In the Garden of the Prophet", the drive up to Malcolm's house. This is a 1/2 mile of unmade track in the depths of the Wiltshire countryside. For many lucky FF owners this was their first experience of riding an FF. Just getting there involves navigating through some winding country roads with plenty of cowdung and unmade verges. The target was 11am and of course many of the participants are notoriously late starters but amazingly everybody arrived more or less on time.

My Burgman had cruised down the motorways averaging >75mph before the first fuel stop. All in all a pretty uneventful arrival. We all stood around admiring each other's machines and talking about the weather. Meanwhile Paul B tried to work out how to work his borrowed video camera and was spotted talking to the owner on a phone.

Eventually Royce C did his best POW camp commandant impersonation and got us all moving again down to the road.

The Off (Gentlemen, start your engines)

After a lot of messing about trying to turn the vehicles in the narrow lane, the first section was some very slow, very nadgery country roads. It's probably just as well while everybody adjusted to riding in a pack. At one point we had to stop and help herd some sheep and lambs across the road! Whether deliberately or not, we ended up in two groups and when we joined up again, passed a couple of Police Motorcyclists stopping at a Pub who grinned and waved.

Chris Baker's House

Arriving at Chris Baker's premises, we find that it seems to be an FF Builder's requirement to have an unmade road to your house. Chris' chosen vehicle for the run was a Porsche 911. More about that later.

We all had to crowd into a farm building and move a couple of battered vans to see Chris' prize. Yes, the second Slug based on a Z13 engine really does exist. Make Chris an offer! Not in the best of condition I'm afraid.

Aftre a brief pause while Paul B tried to get us all to line up on the grass for photos it's off again. Onto the M4, across the Severn Bridge, right at the roundabout at the first exit and then along the old A40. Should have been easy. Except it all went "Pete Tong" when Tudor and I got in the wrong toll gate at the bridge. Desperate to catch up, I went straight on and took a 12 mile detour into Wales along the motorway. Eventually I found a turning, headed back and re-joined the route. Most of this was a blast along the old A40 on a road rather like the IoM. All 80-90 mph blind corners with dips and humps to catch you out. It finished with a tree lined section of 50-60 mph twists along the side of the Wye valley. This last section was part of the road test route for the Voyagers and I remembered running out of petrol while out on a demo.

The Pub and Crickhowell (Voyager Testing Grounds)

Eventually, everybody arrived at a picturesque pub by the Crickhowell bridge over the river Wye and we could all relax again. After lunch we had a brief detour to see the factory where the Voyagers were built before haring off across the country again.

Royce gives directions: "Turn Right, go as fast as you possibly can, Straight on at the two roundabouts, then go as fast as you possibly can, then a right and go as fast as you possibly can, then a right into John's farmyard. Just one catch, Chris was in his Porsche. The first I knew about it was that while at max lean and lining up the exit of the roundabout, I heard a continuous schreech of rubber to my right as Chris drifted the car past me on the inside. Royce C and Paul B disappeared in the distance hotly pursued by the Porsche, while I found myself following Graham F on his VF500 home built.

John Bruce (Tea and Buns)

John's house and turning was easy to spot as Paul B and crew were already standing by the entrance videoing everybody coming in. John had arranged Tea dn home made buns in the afternoon sunshine. Perfect!

John Bruce's CB400A automatic with bodywork by Malcolm Newell.

Possibly the best section of the day was the last. Royce disappeared into the distance while Paul Blez, Myself and Colin Ferguson on three Burgmen, tried to catch up. Royce's directions were again along the lines of "Go as fast as you can, turn left, etc etc" and he wasn't kidding. Near the start, I followed him through an S bend onto the back roads and grounded hard while his Voyager protested with a big wibble. As always I'm sure it was much more exciting to watch than do. The main part of the road was an endless succession of blind winding bends that followed the side of the hills. The Burgmen did really well but were suffering from ground clearance problems. Especially on the right.

Finally we arrived at the old Service station which is practically deserted these days as the road has moved. This gives plenty of opportunity for going round and round the car park and the adjacent roundabout.

The Services (Herding Cats)

Despite a lot of muttering, Paul Blez managed to persuade everybody left to line up for a group shot.

Royce C gave a short speech and presented Tudor with the prize for "The Vehicle Malcolm would have been most pleased with"

 

The Other Pub

Finally we ended up at another Pub for supper and a lot of sitting around in the garden chin wagging.

and Home (Matchsticks anyone?)

Everybody scattered to the four corners of the country. Tudor road back to Wisbech in the Slug, Graham Robb set off for the continent in the Voyager and Paul and I blasted back to London on the Burgers. We took the traditional route back from Malcolm to London. Along the A4, up over the Downs through Marlborough and joining the Motorway at Theale. We were both pretty tired and especially Paul as he'd had a couple of late nights finishing the news letter.

500 miles in the day, most of it WFO and huge grins all round.

The Machines

Graham Fryer's VF500 home built.

Quite a turn out. Apologies If I've missed anyone. And let's do it again!

The Mark III Voyager Prototype
2 Production Voyager's
An original Quasar
Tudor Thomas's GPZ1100 Slug
A Suzuki GS Quasar
Graham Fryer's VF500
John Bruce's CB400A Automatic
4 Suzuki Burgman
4 Honda Helix
Honda Foresight
BMW R100S
Honda VF400
Suzuki GSX Rat Bike