Today in motorcycle history, March 18, 1961

   

   A production Velocette Venom Clubman (single-cylinder, four-stroke, 499cc) sets the 24-hour endurance world record with an average speed of 100.05 mph.

   It was the first motorcycle of any size to top 100 mph in the 24-hour endurance, and in 52 years and counting no other machine of the same capacity has been able to match or beat this record. The record attempt took place at the Montlhery Speed Bowl, a 2.7 km (1.67 mile) concrete track about 15 miles outside Paris that was well-known to riders as a track to have a very uneven surface and piss-poor lighting.

   A team of six French riders were accompanied by motorcycle journalist Bruce Main Smith, who himself achieved the best lap time of 107 mph despite the track conditions.  After securing the 12 hour record at more than 104 mph, the team then only stopped to change riders and refuel,  and went on to set the 24 hour endurance record.

  The publicity was huge for Velocette, as the success revived sales of the Venom which went on to become, alongside the Thruxton (worthy of a tale itself on another day), one of Velocette's best selling motorcycles.

  However, the records were only set at the track not the cash register and in 1971 poor sales forced the company into voluntarily liquidation, with all the remaining stock and tools being sold off to pay creditors who had been lining up outside their door since the fall of 1969.                         

  The Venom which set the 24 hour world record is now on display at the British National Motorcycle Museum.   If for some reason you're going to be in the Birmingham area on holiday or for business the address is Coventry Rd, Bickenhill, Solihull, West Midlands B92 0EJ.  The museum is open every day from 9:30am-5:30pm and in case you get lost or have a question the lads in the local can't answer just give 'em a call at 01675 443311.