Read about the history of GP Originals two-stroke racing and their journey

The beginnings of a post-classic, two-stroke championship

GP Originals began as a plan by Gordon Russell to create a standalone feeder class for the Goodwood Members Meeting along the lines of the Lansdowne. At this time, we had lost FRC, CRMC were running mixed races and experiencing dissent about eligibility and organisation; the 250 class was all but extinct. ICGP was strong but expensive and mostly abroad. Any other alternatives were with mixed tyres, four-strokes and modern machines.

In 2015, with encouragement from Dave Grigson and Gordon Russell, we created an online survey. The survey could be completed anonymously and its purpose was to elicit frank information about 250cc post-classic racing. We wanted to understand the perceived issues that were stopping people bringing their bikes out. The questions focussed on eligibility, existing clubs, venues and formats of races. With 47 responses, the survey was presented to the CRMC with a view to developing the class there. The response was “just a bunch of moaners” – therefore it became clear that any future series must follow its own path.

We began to craft an offer for both 250 and 350 machines that could appeal to existing riders and bring out those who seemed disillusioned with the current offerings. The aim was to keep the series true to these values until it reached a natural end. There was never the intention to weaken the offer in order to continue as had been the typical cycle in the past.

The objectives based on rider input

Dedicated grids
Decent length races
Timed qualifying
Prize money
Premier, efficient clubs and circuits
Clear eligibility rules, focussed on period spec
To include a specific 250 class
Value for money

building out a championship

Armed with the insights gained, the plan came together for 2017. Utilising the extensive club and ACU experience of Gordon and Sally, Dave’s passion for TZs, professional creative input of Sian plus decades of rider and industry input from Steve Pond and Tony Green – together we launched GP Originals. The pilot round was held at Oulton Park in 2017, hosted by No Limits and we had 22 riders on the grid.

By 2019 Michelle and Steve Carthy had taken notice of the growth in the Series and were now on board. Their extensive catalogue of archive material and access to key knowledgable people enabled Michelle to deliver quantitative research to answer and close-off eligibility questions. Between herself and Siân an archive of web pages took shape with evidence based detail to support the race rules. This effort removed the need to rely on fading memories and the interference of parties looking to sell parts.

Myth busting: have the rules change?

GP Originals have never changed fuel regulations.
Our rule book has never changed beyond simple clarity of wording.
No rider or team has ever been banned.
Only one new-build part was deemed ineligible and only after extensive consultation with riders.

A team effort

In more recent times Ian Longstaff and Mark Linton stepped up to the plate, taking on co-ordination of the Series plus liaison tasks with host clubs and organising the race calendar. Abi Burman has been our Entries Secretary, Jemma Grayson has managed championship points and delivered a professional set of accounts. Carys Linton has been invaluable at the race meetings and brought fresh ideas to the videos and reels. In our race reports we always warmly thank the small group of friends who have been staunch supporters of GP Originals – willing helpers who man the rollers, take care of the awning, top up the tea turn, refresh the biscuit barrel, contribute to buffets and social gatherings and many more tasks across each event. Please visit the Championship page where you can find all the race reports linked beneath the track maps.

The Highlights

By 2019 GP Originals was riding high with an epic prize fund generated mostly by Michelle plus extensive marketing and creative work from Siân, the pair forged a successful partnership. The collective prize fund has reached in excess of £25,000 in cash, product support and voucher value every season since. We created imaginative ways to reward riders throughout the field from early entry rewards, fastest laps, pole positions, raffles, start money and cash prizes that extended way beyond the podium.

where we are now

We kindly ask you to read our article page which provides in-depth information regarding the decision to draw GP Originals to a close. Every avenue has been considered and this decision is very much taken on the basis of grid numbers plus a reduction in the availability of dedicated team members. We do not feel it is beneficial to compromise the quality of the offer in order to keep it going – there are several other options available to riders willing to run on mixed grids without the rewards offered here.

Thank you everyone involved, it has been a pleasure and we are immensely proud of what we have achieved together as a team of riders, sponsors and supporters.