What is the One-Two 500?

It's a road based "blurred-scenery tour" for:

1970's (and earlier) 125cc Motorcycles (70's class) and
1980's 125cc (80's class)

It will run on the 17th/18th of May 2003 starting from a location near Buntingford in Hertfordshire and running for approximately 250km to a location in Lincolnshire on the first day. The second day will also be a run of approx. 250km back to Hertfordshire.

Who can enter?

There is no entry fee and no official body in charge. If you have an eligible bike (up to)125cc, 2 or 4 stroke registered before August 1979 then you can enter class 70's if you have a 125 registered between 08/79 and 08/89 then you can enter class 80's. To enter simply email the following email address and give a brief outline of your entry to:
enter.the.race@onetwo500.co.uk
(send your "nick-name", machine type, 70's or 80's class entry. No need to use a real name or contact details other than a working email address)

You will then be given a number and updated with additional details of the event nearer the time. You will need to show the number on your bike in black: try using those stick on numbers you can get from car shops for use on number plates (they are about 25p each). If you have a black bike you will need a bit of sticky back plastic backing as the number is the only id method being used.

Why do it?

Well its a chance to have "racy" fun on the roads on bikes that are not fast enough to get you into major trouble. 70's and 80's 125s are cheap to buy and fix. It's an opportunity to take it as seriously or humorously as you like, whether you want a stage 9 tune from "Stan the man" and a set of race rubber or a set of furry fake tyre warmers to intimidate the competition in the pits pre-race, the choice is yours. The competitors are the race, in the sense that its collectively run. If you have any ideas that you think should be incorporated or extra weird classes that you think should be included then email stupid.ideas@onetwo500.co.uk

Where and how

The route will be marked on the roads, as will essential hints such as speed cameras coming up and petrol stations distance to. It will use small back roads whereever possible and will go to great lengths to avoid towns and major roads (its going to be a very twisty route) At the overnight stop a list of local B&Bs and hotels will be available.

The idea is you have to stay on route to know where you are ultimately going and this means everyone must cover the same route to reach the end point. Your issued number will translate into your starting time. The event starts at 1:01pm when number 1 leaves 1:02pm number two leaves and so on. We are allowing for up to 100 entrants so the field will be spread over 100 minutes in terms of departure times.

On arrival at the end point you will pick up your time which will allow the total elapsed time for you to be recorded and likewise on the way back. This information along with other considerations will be used to calculate positions. Since there is no entry fee, there is no winning prize (unless anyone wants to offer one) and so it just the honour of having won the one-two-500 that you can obtain.

Rules and regs

Two classes:

70's: Registered up to August 1979 125 cc motorcycles
80's: Registered up to August 1989 125 cc motorcycles
MZs and CZs of any age are eligible for the 70's class

On the road

No speeding in 30/40/50 zones
Don't endanger others or yourself
Have a laugh
Try not to blow-up the engine till the finish line
Probably a good idea to check your breakdown cover arrangements and pack your mobile, a toothbrush and your credit card

What should I do now?

Get looking in your shed, or your mate's shed, or the classifieds, for old 125s such as rd125, sr125, dt125, cb 125 cg125, kmx125, gt125, rg125, mz125, cz125 tzr125, 125 scooters, honda 90 etc. Then get spannering over the winter period to get them up to scratch for May. Get your email in to reserve your place, the earlier a starter you are probably the better for obvious reasons. Questions can be sent to questions@onetwo500.co.uk but try not to make them too lengthy, numerous or pedantic or they will be ignored!

Send in pictures of your machine, where you found it, and what improbable engineering you have done, or intend to do. We will include it in the web site gallery along with any "story" you supply. Don't send pictures of yourself without a disguise of some kind, and make sure your number plate is not readable in the picture!

To come

More details of the organisation, plus stories of bikes you have dragged from barns and are preparing for the event.

See you there!

Anon Smith