Post by charleselan on Jul 24, 2021 19:26:36 GMT
I learned earlier this week that the elder of the two great British scrambles and motocross riders Derek Rickman passed away recently. The Rickman Brothers (as they were known) were hugely important on the British scene from the early 1950's and right through the 1960's both as brilliant riders but also as constructers of the beautiful looking Metisse motorcycles.
Derek was the main driving force in the manufacture of these machines with younger brother Don concentrating on the racing as the 1960's panned out. The Rickman brothers saw that they could produce their own machines that were both lighter and better handling than the traditional British machines manufactured by the likes of BSA and AMC (Matchless & AJS) also using the superb Triumph twin cylinder engine as the power unit, although they also used Matchless engines as well. Later when the need for even lighter machines became important they fitted BSA 440cc engines as well s making some excellent 250cc machines mainly with Spanish Bultaco motors.
Derek & Don invariably raced with the numbers 73 and 74 wearing the traditional BRG coloured shirts and plain white helmets. Derek was probably in his prime as a racer in the 1950's and his racing tended to take a back seat as he developed the company through the 1960's although he would often appear and be a major factor when he did.
I always remember the 1959 Cotswold Scramble at Nymphsfield in Gloucestershire, one of the biggest national meetings of the year and a venue where Dave Curtis on his works Matchless dominated for years. Derek Rickman on the then new and early version of the Triumph Metisse had taken the lead from Dave Curtis and looked on course for a greta win, however right in front of us Derek rolled to a halt with a broken or dislodged chain. He was absolutely furious and kicked the rear tyre of his stricken machine prompting my mother to exclaim "that Derek Rickman has a temper on him", of course he did mother as that win meant a great deal to him.
A great man who will be sorely missed, and who brought a huge amount to the sport with his wonderful motorcycles and riding.
Derek Rickman on a Triumph powered Metisse with his usual race number of 73.
Here Derek is representing Great Britain in the 1964 Motocross De Nations at Hawkstone Park aboard his beautiful dark green Matchless powered Metisse.
Derek was the main driving force in the manufacture of these machines with younger brother Don concentrating on the racing as the 1960's panned out. The Rickman brothers saw that they could produce their own machines that were both lighter and better handling than the traditional British machines manufactured by the likes of BSA and AMC (Matchless & AJS) also using the superb Triumph twin cylinder engine as the power unit, although they also used Matchless engines as well. Later when the need for even lighter machines became important they fitted BSA 440cc engines as well s making some excellent 250cc machines mainly with Spanish Bultaco motors.
Derek & Don invariably raced with the numbers 73 and 74 wearing the traditional BRG coloured shirts and plain white helmets. Derek was probably in his prime as a racer in the 1950's and his racing tended to take a back seat as he developed the company through the 1960's although he would often appear and be a major factor when he did.
I always remember the 1959 Cotswold Scramble at Nymphsfield in Gloucestershire, one of the biggest national meetings of the year and a venue where Dave Curtis on his works Matchless dominated for years. Derek Rickman on the then new and early version of the Triumph Metisse had taken the lead from Dave Curtis and looked on course for a greta win, however right in front of us Derek rolled to a halt with a broken or dislodged chain. He was absolutely furious and kicked the rear tyre of his stricken machine prompting my mother to exclaim "that Derek Rickman has a temper on him", of course he did mother as that win meant a great deal to him.
A great man who will be sorely missed, and who brought a huge amount to the sport with his wonderful motorcycles and riding.
Derek Rickman on a Triumph powered Metisse with his usual race number of 73.
Here Derek is representing Great Britain in the 1964 Motocross De Nations at Hawkstone Park aboard his beautiful dark green Matchless powered Metisse.