1986 Transatlantic Challenge Trophy Races

In 1986 the Transatlantic Challenge weekend was the 17th in the annual series of Transatlantic Trophy Match Races between Great Britain and the United States of America.
Not only was it plagued by very bad weather, but also a newly-lengthened & unfamiliar Donington Park circuit.

But it certainly didn't dampen the thrills of the racing itself.

Two riders stood out in the gloom of the weather -- Fred Merkel on an aging but highly tuned VF750F & an unheard of guy called Kevin Schwantz on the official US Yoshimura GSX-R750 Suzuki
The British team was led by Marlboro-Yamaha Grand Prix star Rob McElnea, while the Americans were led by US Superbike Champion Fred Merkel.
Anyone who questioned whether 'superbikes' would be any less spectacular than the GP bikes of previous years will have their doubts dispelled this year !

Another amazing moment about this weekend was the Ron Haslem & the VFR750F, which although not designed as a race bike, he took a bog-standard VFR750F (including lights, horn and indicators still on) to third place in one of the races after demolishing his own race bike in a spill and literally nipping out to the local motorcycle shop and buying a VFR off the showroom floor!
Some of the riders featuring in the races that weekend have now become some of the greats of motorcycle racing history.

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[GavinS1965]

Wahey!Standard VFR750,I've got one where else you gonna get a classic racer for a hundred quid?

[FULLTROTTLE1000]

I remember this race i have always been a Kevin Schwants fan ,and he always brought the Heat with Suzuki....AWESOME

[grahamavcmhons]

Rocket Ron was my hero years ago...... when he didnt fall off.!! great rider

[750sLaverda]

I've seen a lot of bike racing but the most impressive thing I ever, ever saw was watching this live when Merkel immediately followed by Schwantz hit the river of water exiting the old hairpin on the opening lap of one of these races. Both had almighty moments, both stayed on with Schwantz half off his ex Rutter (T.T.) Suzuki. I mean, they were just on a totally, totally different level.

[bvivers]

This is f**king brilliant. I missed out on this back in the day. It''s tremendous to see it now.

[bvivers]

This is fucking brilliant. I missed out on this back in the day, but it's tremendous to see it now.

[twiggy7275]

i remember this...vaguely!!...didnt Rons vfr even have the tax disc still on it?

[mondeo2500]

Brilliant stuff, I was there with some mates and we were at Redgate and we planned to shout my brothers name (Brian) just as Merkel got to the apex on the last lap (He was watching in Edinburgh, great you can nhear us shout it.

We gave Rocket Ron a bottle of Dortmunder Pils afterwards in the paddock.

[rick0000122]

thanks for posting

[Desawa82]

I was there that year, screaming nmy lungs out for Ron on the VFR750, I bought one and have had one ever since. Love it! Thanks so much for posting this classic video!