Once, when writing about the Grand Prix Triumph, the late Bob Currie said: “…200 were built, of which 300 remain.” It’s a remark that could easily be levelled at the burgeoning crop of ESO/Jawas appearing in pre-65 and classic motocross.
Purists would no doubt claim that many – perhaps most – being raced today weren’t actually constructed in the period they represent and, while this is largely true, there is no disputing the engine unit’s long lineage: one which stretches back the best part of half a century. Certainly the sight of an ESO or Jawa scrambler – ESO became part of Jawa in 1964 – in 50s and 60s Britain was a rare one and usually limited to the occasional appearance of the Soviet, Nicholas Sokolov-piloted bike in the Motocross Des Nations or at the British GP. In fact for many motocross fans it was not until Derek Rickman wheeled out an ESO-engined Metisse at the MCN scramble of the year at Brands Hatch in December 1965, that one was seen regularly in the UK.
Extensively modified by speedway ace Barry Briggs, the over square engine (88 x 82mm) sported a 14:1 compression ratio and was reputed to turn out 50bhp at 8000rpm. Despite having to reduce the compression ratio to comply with the ‘petrol only’ regulation, the Jawa Metisse gave a good account of itself: this against a top quality field, which included the CZ team of Joel Robert, Roger de Coster and Chris Horsfield. For Derek (who was quoted as saying: “it’s an experiment”) it was a one-off ride – although the machine was later raced by Andy Lee in that winter’s TV Grandstand trophy series with some success.
There was no disputing that with development the engine showed considerable potential but, in the 500cc class, 360cc two-strokes were in the ascendancy and the Jawas would have to wait until the advent of pre-65 and classic racing before they became firmly established as a motocross iron.
Attend any modern day classic motocross meeting and there’ll be a plethora of the Czech-engined bikes circulating and winning: with the name of Colin Hickie regularly featuring in the results. Colin has been racing a Terry Weedy sponsored, Victor-framed bike in both the domestic and selected rounds of the European championship for the last couple of seasons. And he was recently joined by his son Luke on a similar James Holland built machine. It’s a Hickie family association with Jawas that – as Colin told me – stretches back many years.
“As a babe in arms I was brought up to the sound of booming singles and the aroma of methanol and Castrol R, as my dad rode in grass track and also for the Wolves speedway team,” he says. “All of my brothers had bikes and I started scrambling when I was 16 on a 250cc DOT and I’ve raced on and off ever since. I’ve ridden a variety of bikes including Huskies, Yamahas, BSAs and Maicos, but it wasn’t until we moved to Devon about 15 years ago that I started competing in pre-65 events. Roy Clifford and some friends were starting a new club in Newton Abbot, which I joined and shortly after I built myself a Tiger Cub to race.”
When Triumph’s little single first appeared, it was dogged by oil frothing and overheating problems but Colin’s bulging trophy cabinet is proof that, with modern-day improvements – including a big bore conversion and better lubrication – it can make a very competitive quarter-litre scrambler. Numerous wins on his own Cub led to sponsorship on a machine prepared by Terry Weedy and it was this association with the Hampshire man that led to the Victor Jawa: a machine that Colin has now been campaigning for two-and-a-half years. Keen to expand his racing experience, Colin entered three Continental meetings in 2006 although, as he told me, racing old bikes with their limited suspension travel on modern motocross circuits can be hard work.
“Unlike the UK where most classic and pre-65 meetings are held on period – or at least tracks that are suitable – the continentals often use modern circuits with lots of huge jumps. I managed to finish in about 16th place in Germany but with jump after jump the 20-minute races were an absolute killer: it was like racing at Hawkstone but with softer ground. In Holland the temperature was over 100 degrees – which was horrendous – and after finishing in the middle of the field in race one I retired in race two with a broken primary chain. I was due to race in Sweden but on the way to the ferry the half-shaft failed on the van, which put the kibosh on things for that weekend.”
Although Colin’s continental trips have been dogged by ill fortune, on the domestic front the Weedy machine has not only proven to be extremely reliable but also – in Colin’s capable hands – a very competitive piece of machinery. Housed in the Victor frame, it looks anything but a special although as Colin told me the combination of Jawa engine and Norton gearbox certainly taxed the constructor’s skills and ingenuity.
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