Donington Park, 1991, and I’m in wide-eyed disbelief at the wailing, soaring, deafening sound of Ron Haslam’s rotary Norton exiting Goddard’s. My friends and I make our way to the paddock to try and get close to the wild black bike. Peeking into the team’s tent, its engine internals look like alien technology strewn over the work surface (a rug on the floor). But as teenagers we’re just as excited by what’s parked outside – a tiny minimoto in Norton colours, ridden by Ron’s eight-year-old son Leon.
Six short years later and we’re back watching Pocket Rocket win a support race at the British GP. And in rapid fire succession see him in the British 125cc series, Grand Prix, World Superbike, British Superbike…
Having put the famous family name into the spotlight across four decades, the nipper on the minimoto is now set to become the oldest bloke in world championship racing. No, I couldn’t believe it either. Read Mat Oxley’s exclusive interview with crusty old Leon on page 50.
I lack Ron’s talent and ability to keep a fine thatch, but can imagine his pride at his son’s achievements. My teenager may be tackling CBT, not WSB, but there’s no shortage of emotions. Learner capers are on page 112.
There’s plenty of other emotion in this issue. Ex-Bike deputy editor Roland Brown traces the well-worn route to the Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard, where the Honda RC30 he raced there in the late 1980s returns to the track in Team Bike colours (p64). Pete Boast is overjoyed that young talent Franco Bourne starts getting the results his ability deserve (p108), road tester Michael Neeves goes rather gooey over the refreshing new Yamaha R7 (p58), and I’m deeply shocked by the startling new CFMOTO.

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• Beano – 27 October 2021
• Cycling Plus UK – December 2021