Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Today in motorcycle history, November 5, 1955

 


  











  Suzuki participates in racing for the first time with a special built works racing machine. Suzuki's racing debut is held at Asama. 






  Five riders from Suzuki participated in the 125cc class with the new Colleda SV, a racer based on the 125cc single cylinder 2-stroke Colleda ST.  The course used North Karuizawa as the starting point and was nearly 12 miles (19.2 km) long using unpaved public roads around the volcanic mountain Asama. The course was to be lapped four times.  Two riders started simultaneously at 30 second intervals.

  The first four places in the 125cc class were all taken by Yamaha, followed by Suzuki's team placing fifth, sixth and seventh.  For some unknown reason no lap times or speed were recorded, the results showed only the finishing time differences. Suzuki's Yasmashita was the first to cross the finish line 2.7 seconds after the winning Yamaha's.  Hideo Suzuki and Toshio Kamiya followed their winning team mate by .03 and .05 seconds. When the dust cleared the factory considered it a good first attempt, also Honda finishing last helped to bring a satisfying nod or two.





  It is said that Japanese road racing started at the 1955 Asama race.













  Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk