Wednesday, October 28, 2009

It's the 1957 racing season for Aussie Keith Bryen......

This is the fifth blog if done featuring the racing photos of Keith Bryen, who led the life of a privateer on the Continental Circus during the early to mid 1950's, I guess ever hopeful of a factory sponsored ride, although Keith is too modest to acknowledge it.
During the TT of 1957 he rode a factory 350cc AJS and as with all the privateers, they started the season in Europe riding in minor race meetings before travelling to the IOM for the TT races.
Those following Keith's exploits will know he kindly sent me a CD-R with many of his photos on and I've featured them...
This is some of the early season shots......
Thanks Keith and Gwen....
Left click on the images to enlarge.....
At the Bourg-en-Bresse, France with his two bikes and Allen Trow, another privateer.























Lunchtime in the Bryen's van, at Bourg-en-Bresse, May 1957.



















On his 350 Norton, finished 3rd, Bourg-en-Bresse.

















Awaiting the start of the 500cc event, Bourg-en-Bresse.
























Gwen and Keith at the Grande Prix of the Sarre,Keith finished 4th. 12.05.1957.

















Over to the Isle of Man for the TT races....
Keith leads Walter Zeller, BMW during practice......
Keith is now on AMC machines, he notes he rode a factory 350 7R AJS, and is featured on a G45 Matchless, which I assume is also a factory entry.
A check of that years TT program reveals he was entered by Arter Bros. for the 350AJS and Bob Foster for the Matchless.....
He was 13th in the Junior TT and also 13th in the Senior TT.
















Keith on the G45


















On the G45 over Ballaugh Bridge.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

wasnt tom arter the back door for the ajs factory , i,v seen later pictures with g 45,s called arter g45, s he also had a factory porcupine which he raced in the sixties , oh byb the bye another batch of great pictures