Japanese autorace machines.

[Dutch]

In Japan there is no speedway-racing but they have something that looks like it called autorace.
In this type of racing there are only Japanese engines.
Are on this forum some members with knowledge about these engine and bikes.

[sudman]

On an Sunday 2 has section on it, they are run like a horse race with the punters betting on the riders, I think they used to run Yam twins, I would have to watch the movie again.

[mboddy]

Whites Racing Products imports the tyres they use.
They use Bridgestone BT39 tube type race compound 2.5" x 18" on both front and rear.
I believe they race on a banked concrete oval circuit. 

[GD66]

For some reason, even up until the late 70s they used British twins, BSAs and Triumphs. Crowd could bet on the racing, and the riders were kept isolated to avoid corruption (ha !). I recall from the On Any Sunday sequence the races being run in total silence from the crowd. No doubt they eventually twigged to running Japanese engines.

[firko]

     

[Lozza]

Recently changed to DR400 or 600 engine, the whole scene is nothing to what it used to be.
The late Norrick Abe's father(who's name escapes me obviously) was a legend in the series

[Marc.com]

Recently changed to DR400 or 600 engine, the whole scene is nothing to what it used to be.
The late Norrick Abe's father(who's name escapes me obviously) was a legend in the series

They also race small boats the same way ... it was before horse race betting became established in Japan so they used bikes with jockeys.

Mice racing believe it or not was also popular. Now with horses running nobody worries too much.

I heard Kawasaki build a special 400 engine with no gearbox.

[firko]

I remember Paul Giles telling me that the batch of Honda FTR250's he privately imported back in the '80's were originally developed as a replacement for the tired old British machines in Japanese speedway. Any knowledge of that Marc? They're basically XR250's in a flat tracker style frame. I've been trying to buy one of the Gilesy imports from a mate but no go so far.
                 

[Marc.com]

the story I heard is that all the motors have to be bang on the same spec and scruntineered like hell so that there is no unfair advantage for the punters.

I heard they are giving up on horses and running Kyotei in Queensland from next year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esz3wFDbaHo

[Lozza]

I remember Paul Giles telling me that the batch of Honda FTR250's he privately imported back in the '80's were originally developed as a replacement for the tired old British machines in Japanese speedway. Any knowledge of that Marc? They're basically XR250's in a flat tracker style frame. I've been trying to buy one of the Gilesy imports from a mate but no go so far.

I wouldn't place much in that story the FTR is road going model in Japan and a look-a-like for the one off flat track V twin they took on a beat HD with in the US(on display at the Collection Hall Motegi.
There are heaps for sale in jp.

FTR223
FTR250G

[MX?]

If you search for Motorcycle Autorace, you come up with all sorts of cool weapons from Nippon:

From the '70's.....Meguro


From the '80's...HKS


Unfortunately, you also get this....

[Dutch]

mboddy.  sorry but you are wrong about the tyres, on autorace machine there are all Dunlop KR 73 tyres.(see pic from the Triumph and HKS in the forum)

lozza.  the engine that all riders use at this moment is made by Suzuki type AR600. (Not DR)
         this engine is made in 2 types, with 180 degree crank and the latest with a 360 degree crank.
         for the rookies there was also a AR 500.