Ian Simpson on a Yamaha TZ350E put on a two-wheeled masterclass to score a dominant victory in the inaugural Hailwood Trophy for 250cc and 350cc Grand Prix motorcycles of the 1970s and early ‘80s. The field, dominated by Yamaha TZ350s, which were the backbone of both club and international racing through the 1970s, looked fabulous in their often lurid colour schemes, and the two-stroke engines provided sounds and smells that were new to Goodwood.
Race report: Hailwood Trophy 74MM – Members’ Meeting Favourite Moments
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Dean Stimpson on the no. 4 Harris-Yamaha TZ350G made a great start, but was overtaken almost immediately by Simpson, with Michael Russell on a Harris-Rotax in close contention. Goodwood regular Glen English showed the confidence of local knowledge to sweep through to the front at Fordwater. Sadly it wasn’t to last, with the unfortunate English pulling up with a mechanical issue exiting Madgwick at the start of lap two.
By the end of the second lap, a front group of three had begun to emerge, with Simpson leading Richard Parker (Spondon Yamaha) and Stimpson. Once established at the front, Simpson began to pull away, proceeding to gain 1-1.5 seconds per lap on his pursuers.
If Simpson was in a race of his own at the front, Parker and Stimpson kept the crowd entertained, swapping places throughout the 20 minutes. They were joined towards the end by Russell’s Rotax, and the speed at which he caught them suggested he might pass and pull away, but it wasn’t to be.
In the end it was a clear victory for Ian Simpson, with Richard Parker taking second by a mere 0.2 seconds from Dean Stimpson, and Michael Russell in fourth.
Image by Drew Gibson.
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