A high-speed demonstration of Norton Rotary racers from the Museum’s collection thrilled the big crowd at Mallory Park’s Festival of 1000 Bikes. Four of our ex-factory machines were ridden with verve and style by Norton team stars from the Rotaries’ heyday: Ian Simpson, Steve Spray, Terry Rymer and Trevor Nation. Even faster than them was the fifth bike, our high-tech 2007 NRV588 with development rider Lee Dickinson on board.
Tended by Brian Crighton, who initiated Norton’s Rotary campaign in the Eighties and continued the line’s evolution with the NRV, all five machines ran well at the star-studded Vintage Motor Cycle Club event, making the high-pitched sound unique to Rotaries.
Crighton’s Ro Tec Ltd is currently working on a new-generation 700cc Rotary engine.
