BEARS is the acronym for British, European, American Racing and Supporters. BEARS was instigated by the late great John Britten and a couple of his friends in Christchurch, New Zealand in the early 1980’s. Within BHR an average BEARS field could consist of 1960s/1970’s Historic machines in addition to machines available to the public prior to 31st December 1985.
BHR BEARS CLASSES BEARS Formula Two; 250 Two Strokes // 500 Four Strokes BEARS Formula One; 251- 500 Two Strokes // 501- Unlimited Four Strokes Amongst the many bikes that could be eligible to race in the BHR BEARS Classes the following are a few examples; Benelli; 250, 2C’s, also derivative ‘Sister Bikes’ badged as Moto Guzzi’s and Motobi’s. Quattro, 250, 350,500 and 650’s.Tornado twin’s (650cc),750 ‘Sei’ Six cylinder machines, and early 900 Sei’s. BMW Boxers and K series; Various Boxer models/variations as manufactured prior to the cut-off date. In early 1983 BMW introduced a 1,000 cc, in-line four-cylinder, the K100. The 750 cc three-cylinder version was introduced in 1985. Four valves per cylinder BMW’s are not eligible. Laverda; Twins and Triples; The 750 S and the 750 GT were introduced in 1969, followed by the 750 SF and SFC (1971). The 1,000cc three cylinder prototype was essentially a 750 twin with an additional cylinder.
The 981 cc triple was available to the public in 1972. Production versions of the 350/500/600 Twins were available from 1977 through into the 1980’s Moto Morini; In 1971 Moto Morini launched their first 350cc 72° V Twin motorcycles, which were complimented in 1977 by a 500cc model. The Camel 500 was released in 1981 and in 1983 the Kangaroo 350. Ducati Twins; Ducati 750’s first came out of the factory in June 1971. The 1971 750GT evolved through to the 1972 750 Sport and 1974 750SS into the 1975 900SS and later the 1982 Mike Hailwood Replicas. In 1974, the 860GT went into production plus 350 and 500GTL sport vertical twins were also released. In 1976 the Darmah SD900 appeared. The Mille engine was a complete redesign of the engine. These engines were available in the MHR Mille and S2 Mille. Pantah’s appeared in 1980 as a 500. In 1981 the 600SL with an 80mm bore and the 58mm stroke giving 583cc (TT2’s used 81mm). In 1982 the 600TL was released followed in 1983 by the 650SL. In 1985 the F1 750 was released, based on the TT1 and TT2’s. Water-cooled or four valves per cylinder Ducati’s are not eligible. Harley-Davidson; Shovelhead, 1966–1984, 74 cubic inch (1,200cc) and 80 cubic inch (1,345cc) since late 1978. Ironhead, 1957–1971, 900cc; 1971–1985, 1,000cc Moto Guzzi; Transverse Vee Twins first appeared as a 700cc police bike. Lino Tonti redesigned the motor for the 1971 V7 Sport. The 850 Le Mans came in 1976 with production running through the 1980’s. 1979 saw V35 (350) and V50 (500). However, Four valves per cylinder Guzzi’s are not eligible. MZ’s; The popular ETZ’s first released in 1981,’ racerised’ versions welcome, including MZ’s in special Triumph T140W TSS; Launched in 1982, A TSS raced by the infamous Jack Wilsons ‘Big D Triumph’ dealership in the USA achieved remarkable results in Battle Of The Twins races in the 1980’s. BHR Race dates for 2012; Mallory Park Mallory Park 22nd March (Practice Day) 15 April Cadwell Park 19/20 May Snetterton 16/17 June (200 Circuit) Lydden Hill 28/29 July Darley Moor 11/12 August Cadwell Park 29/30 September.
ELIGIBILITY (provisional) General; Bikes MUST be derived from a production road going motorcycle freely available to the public prior to 31st December 1985. No motorcycles derived from any form of original competition motorcycle will be eligible. All components must be British, European or American unless otherwise stated. Frames; Free choice of frame, specials welcome as long as they are constructed to a type/design typically used before the cut-off date. Frames must be constructed from steel tube. Anyone building a new frame should submit the design to the eligibility team PRIOR to starting to build/modify same. Typical frames would be as used in Formula One, Two and Three series, Battle of the Twins and Sound of Singles racing pre 1986. Seats, Tanks, Fairings and other bodywork must be of a type/style as used pre 1986. Japanese style fairings and seats are not eligible. Forks; No ‘upside down’ forks. Hub centre steering type forks as used prior to 1986 will be eligible. Brakes; No four-pot callipers and No Floating Discs unless fitted to the original road machine that the bike is derived from. Brake Master Cylinders; British and European master cylinders only. Wheels/Tyres; Treaded tyres only.
The use of tyre warmers will not be allowed. 18’’ Wheels only to be used in the BEARS F2 class. BEARS F1 machines can utilise either 17’’ or 18’’ wheels due to the availability problems regards many popular wheels used on larger capacity bikes ‘in period’. Many early magnesium (Dymag, Campagnolo, Mavic etc) wheels are now in poor metallurgical condition, and Astralite wheels, a popular contemporary fitment are no longer available. A wider choice of 17’’ wheels and tyres are more readily available, at much more attractive prices than are 18’ versions’. Carburettors; British, European and American carburettors of any type available pre 1986 are eligible. The series will form part of next year’s BHR championship’s, run over eleven days racing at 6 race meetings at circuits around the UK in 2012. Bikes must be pre-registered with BHR and competitors must be a member of the VMCC to score championship points.
