Web exclusive: Godet 500cc racer goes through its paces at Brands Hatch with new rider Alex Sinclair. He will join Bruno Leroy for two entries on the bike in this year’s Classic TT Senior.

The Isle of Man is no stranger to rain. The island’s unique topography and location will often see one part of the 37-odd mile Mountain course basking in brilliant sunshine, yet another endure a downpour.

But by general consensus, the TT of 1971 was wetter, mistier, than most. And it was the last time a Vincent-powered bike qualified for World Championship Grand Prix race. The Senior TT that year saw a 500cc Egli-Vincent – ridden by Roger Wittich and prepared by UK Egli-distributor Roger Slater – qualify for the Senior race with lap speeds of around 90mph. But due to weather-induced delays, Slater was forced to leave with the bike before the race took place.

Now Patrick Godet aims to fly the Egli-Vincent flag again on the island, with plans to enter two of his freshly-minted 500cc racers in this year’s Classic TT. Riders will be his trusted pilot and development rider Bruno Leroy and up-and-coming talent Alex Sinclair.

The chassis of the all-new Godet racer is based firmly on Fritz Egli’s original Comet powered Egli-Vincents he built in the late 60s. With a slightly shorter wheelbase than the twins, around 50 of these emerged from Fritz’s workshop. For the Godet bike, the only major chassis improvement needed has been work on the trademark oil bearing top tube, in order to keep the oil level constant under heavy braking.

More work has gone in to the engine. The Godet racer features a plain bearing, one-piece crankshaft, vernier cams, 92mm bore x 75mm stroke, Nicasil liner and titanium con-rod to bring the unit bang up to date. A one-off, six-speed (you read that right) Albion gearbox transmits power to the rear wheel, which three dynos have now seen register a promising 54bhp. It’s some way from a cooking Comet. But it needs to be.

And so the Godet Equipe arrived at Brands Hatch on a brilliant spring day in March to give Alex his first ride on a Vincent. The Swindon-based 23-year old is no stranger to fast, competitive classic racing on British singles. Or to the Isle of Man. He was the first privateer home in the 350 Classic TT last year, and took third in the Lightweight Manx Grand Prix the year before, both finishes on BSA Gold Stars. With 39 wins, 61 podium finishes and eight lap records under his belt, it’s not surprising Classic Racer magazine has just featured him as one of the young riders to watch out for on the classic scene.

Three problem-free, fast 40-minute practice sessions mixing it among modern racers later and it’s clear the Godet Egli-Vincent compares well to the Goldies. ‘More power than the BSA,’ says Alex with ‘loads of bottom end torque.’ Maxton suspension techies were on hand to offer advice on the rear units, particularly in readiness for the demands of the Mountain circuit. ‘With the right amount of development and plenty of track time the Egli-Vincent should be able to run with the Manxs and G50s and put on a good show,’ says Alex.

A competitive 500 Vincent racer has been a long-held ambition of Godet’s. ‘In the 80s I wanted to build a really fast 500,’ he says. ‘But it was a real challenge, a long-term project.’ After several successful years racing his own Black Lightening-spec twin (including a hard-fought win at Brands itself) he entered a Grey Flash replica in several events. But it quickly became obvious ‘how far the gap was between the 500 Vincent and the Manx and G50s. I wanted to close the gap. It has taken many years to have the funds to build one, and gain the experience needed.’

And so, over 40 years since the Wittich-Slater bike qualified for the Senior TT and over 60 years since Grey Flashes first walked the earth, a 500 Vincent will return to the Isle of Man. The aim, says Godet, is to ‘wave the flag’ for the Vincent marque. Will it be enough to compete against the Manxs and G50s? ‘We hope so,’ says Patrick, ‘but racing is not a certain business.’ With over six hours of track time under its belt, and a rosta of classic races booked in before August, it might not be certain. But it is hopeful.

David Lancaster © 2014

PGC TEAM DIARY | 2014

VMA FRENCH CHAMPIONSHIP

• Nogaro  23^rd. March
• Paul Ricard  6^th.April
• Croix en Ternois  4th. May
• Navarra Spain 25th. May
• Haute Saintonge 22^nd. June
• Le Vigeant 19^th. October

UK CRMC CHAMPIONSHIP

• Pembrey UK 20th . April
• Lydden Hill UK 18th. May
• Anglesey UK 15th. June
• Brands Hatch UK 6th. july
• Snetterton UK 12th. October

EUROPEAN IHRO RACES

• Sachsenring Germany 18^th. May : as 2nd bike is not ready, the team finesse this event to favor Lydden Hill.
• Spa Francorchamps Belgium 6^th. July
• Chimay Belgium 20 st. July
• Schleiz Germany 1/3^rd. Aug.

TT-Classic (IOM) Course 500 cc TT Classic senior race 23^rd. Aug.

Goodwood  UK 14^th. September

See all results on :

https://eglivincent.wordpress.com/02-the-french-connection/pgc-team-results-2014/?preview=true&preview_id=2135&preview_nonce=3fa565f87b