John Samways 1992 Formula One – Finished – Page 7

[Giom6]

Re: John Samways Formula One – Finished – Page 7

Hey guys, interesting thread and had to join the forum to add some comments as there seems to be a lot of interest.

I was interviewed at the Formula 1 factory for this very team and test rode this and their suspension bike protype.

My history was that I finished second, still bothers me after leading most the race, the 1991 Malvern Hills UK Championships whilst riding for Trek and missing out to Oli Beckinsale. A 4th overall in the UK BMBF national series. Good days.

I was a only just 16 at the interview and beat John the times we raced, only a couple, and was sad not to get a ride the following year as the recession hit and my original team Fusion (Bike UK) went Bust - Oli can be seen riding one (a Fusion) though on YouTube during a race. I am nowhere to be seen as hung up the racing pedals immediately but like to reminisce

Hi,

Thanks for adding your story to the thread. Great to hear you got to ride the Formula One bikes. What were they actually like to ride in the competitive environment?

Its a shame you had to hang up your racing pedals as it sounds like you had some decent results there…its no shame to have finished by Oli, I think there would have been a lot of people behind the both of you...

 

[Giom6]

Re: John Samways Formula One – Finished – Page 7

Some Additional Info for the Thread confirming the Bike and its History.

And a little of John racing for Formula One at the Junior National Championships....., and a step back in time for many of us im sure.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brv6v7P88h0

Respect.

I've just noticed the title of you picture of John racing at Newnham Park, Plymouth. I was there for that race so probably would have seen John around…happy days

 

[Rich]

Nice to see final build photos, it's really come up superbly well, that's dedication and commitment right there people!!!

Can't wait to see what you pull out of the hat next

Cheers for the journey

Rich

 

[Giom6]

Nice to see final build photos, it's really come up superbly well, that's dedication and commitment right there people!!!

Can't wait to see what you pull out of the hat next

Cheers for the journey

Rich

Thank you Rich.

It took a while but we got there in the end. I'm just waiting for some nice weather ( :? ) to take it out for a spin.

Keep you eyes peeled hopefully it won't be too long….

 

[uno-speedo]

Looking good!

We need to have an F1 meet in a paddock... uhhh pub!

I'll try to dig out some photos of John on this bike. Don't hold your breath though :facepalm:

 

[John_Samways]

Hi there, I have just been made aware of this thread as Jon managed to track me down on email. Unfortunately I haven't been on the retro bike site for some time, (lost login details) so have missed out on all the info, but have rejoined and been looking through it all tonight, hence why I'm up so late!

We'll done for getting hold of this bike and giving it the love it deserves. It certainly does seem to be my training frameset from 1992. The difference between the training bike and the race bike was the thickness in carbon fibre, the training bike was a little heavier and a stiffer ride feel than the race bike. The bike did get used in some early races in the 92 season such as the Star Construction winter series race at Eastway Cycle Circuit, now long gone following construction of the Olympic cycle park/velodrome. I stopped racing the bike just before round one of the BMBF national series at Margam Park, as this was when the Race bike with Rockshox was handed to me.

I have great memories of riding this bike and my race bike during the 92 season. I am very glad to see these bikes have a great following on Retrobike, as they should.

One of my favourite facts about these bikes, is that in 92, these were the most advanced carbon fibre bicycles in the world. As the Formula One was constructed using pre-impregnated carbon fibre which was baked in an autoclave at high temperatures and high pressure to remove as much of the resin as possible, this was cutting edge carbon technology in 1992 and was only being used elsewhere in F1. There was also another carbon bike which made the headlines in 92, this was Chris Boardmans Lotus Track Bike. But whilst the Lotus looked very cutting edge, it was nothing more than an old wet layup carbon frame, with the associated higher weight of all that chemical cure resin sat amongst the fibres. So in 92 I might not have been as quick as Boardman but I was riding a far superior bike in terms of carbon technology with the Formula One!!

Cheers

John Samways

 

[jonnyboy666]

glad you found the thread John

 

[Rich]

Hey John, Mr Burrows will be hunting you down ready to wrap his carbon bike around your head!! Haha, I can just imagine it now

 

[sinnerman]

NOW that's a happy Retrobike ending to a build thread.

 

[Giom6]

Hi there, I have just been made aware of this thread as Jon managed to track me down on email. Unfortunately I haven't been on the retro bike site for some time, (lost login details) so have missed out on all the info, but have rejoined and been looking through it all tonight, hence why I'm up so late!

We'll done for getting hold of this bike and giving it the love it deserves. It certainly does seem to be my training frameset from 1992. The difference between the training bike and the race bike was the thickness in carbon fibre, the training bike was a little heavier and a stiffer ride feel than the race bike. The bike did get used in some early races in the 92 season such as the Star Construction winter series race at Eastway Cycle Circuit, now long gone following construction of the Olympic cycle park/velodrome. I stopped racing the bike just before round one of the BMBF national series at Margam Park, as this was when the Race bike with Rockshox was handed to me.

I have great memories of riding this bike and my race bike during the 92 season. I am very glad to see these bikes have a great following on Retrobike, as they should.

One of my favourite facts about these bikes, is that in 92, these were the most advanced carbon fibre bicycles in the world. As the Formula One was constructed using pre-impregnated carbon fibre which was baked in an autoclave at high temperatures and high pressure to remove as much of the resin as possible, this was cutting edge carbon technology in 1992 and was only being used elsewhere in F1. There was also another carbon bike which made the headlines in 92, this was Chris Boardmans Lotus Track Bike. But whilst the Lotus looked very cutting edge, it was nothing more than an old wet layup carbon frame, with the associated higher weight of all that chemical cure resin sat amongst the fibres. So in 92 I might not have been as quick as Boardman but I was riding a far superior bike in terms of carbon technology with the Formula One!!

Cheers

John Samways

John,

Thank you very much for posting on the thread, it means a lot to me. Thanks to Jon for tracking you down too

Thank you for sharing the info on the frame and the differences between the two set ups. Its great to know that you raced on the bike too.

I hope you like the rebuild. I have tried to keep it as close to how you might have had it, apart from the wheels maybe, but they are period correct anyway. Did you get to choose your own set up or was there a standard for the team and you could tweak it to suit you?

I bet you had some envious looks from the other riders back then when you came hurtling past

Gio