Dave Hinds

November 12, 2009 by mike.cox

Name: DAVE HINDS.
Nationality: Born in England 1949. (Tranmere, Wirral Peninsular, Cheshire.)
Became a S.A. citizen in 1989.
Age: 56.
Occupation: Engineering consultant. (Own Business)
Restricted Competition Licence No: 3953.
Race Number: 9.
 
 
I come from a long line of motorcycle fanatics. From the time I could open my eyes as a baby I can remember all around me riding motorcycles, my uncles rode bikes, my aunties rode bikes, my late father was a total NORTON fanatic From a 16H to a Model 18, Model 40(NORTON INTERNATIONAL 500cc. and finished up with a 500cc ES 2, probably cause I cam along. Dad and was never interested in cars.
In fact my mother who is now 97 years old, insists on telling any one who will listen that "Err our David (only my mom is allowed to call me DAVID!) Was conceived in the back of a double adult sidecar (that was a brand new NORTON 1948 ES2) on a weekend test ride to Blackpool in 1948". (I was the late lammetjie of the family) So I think I was born to and expected to ride bikes with a passion. (And I still do)
 
I started building and riding my own motorcycles (bikes) from when I was 13 years old, and when my father wasn’t looking, though I suspect he always knew! I first started racing in 1968 when I was 18 years old and in my apprenticeship, I started in clubman’s with a YAMAHA TA 125 R full blown works spec motor and six speed competition box. I graduated to a National licence in the early 70's and acquired a FOWLER TZ 250 YAMAHA, and if I say so myself I was doing quite well nationally, but as the fickle finger of fate farts in your face. Like most young men/boys with there brains in their trousers, I fell in love and got married only to find, that once married every thing changes and you are told "YOU ARE MARRIED NOW AND RACING THAT DIRTY, LITTLE, OILY, STUPID BIKE IS DANGEROUS AND YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO YOUR FAMILY NOW AND YOU MUST STOP RACING" That was the first wife, she didn’t last long! Anyway we are young and foolish and it's water under the bridge!
 
My local circuit was Oulton Park, (if you are from the U.K. then you will know these circuits) but did many races at Cadwell Park, Donnington Park, Sneterton, Croft Autodrome, New Brighton Prom, 1972/3 Isle of Man T.T. (Production) on a 500cc HONDA 4. Team mate Graham Vickery (Retired/broke down on the mountain) and lastly Aintree but that’s another story may-be for the future.
I was quite lucky with sponsorship, though in them days you were lucky to get your bits to build your bike, a set of tyres and entrance money.
Bill Smith (ex-works HONDA rider) of Bill Smith motorcycles (Chester) gave me the 500 HONDA 4 for the T.T. and Terry Sheppard (ex-works NORTON rider) let me have some R & D time together with Eddie Roberts (International rider at that time) on a hybrid with a 350cc KOENIG engine. (That was a beast in a straight line) A couple of local sponsors from Birkenhead helped me out also.
 
My stable at present consists of:
HONDA 350cc 1968. (Ex-John Boswell)
HONDA 750cc Vee 4. VF 750 F. Interceptor.
SUZUKI SP 370. Trials bike. Single cylinder thumper.