GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW 2011

JUST TO REMIND YOU

That the sun does sometimes shine in the UK. Not very bloody often, admittedly, but MrEeezzy found some last year...

323 SET FREE

Well, I have no clue how we managed to pull the rabbit out of the hat again, given Christmas, New Year and bloody snow getting in the way. But somehow it all came together in the first issue of 2011 - and the trouble is, if we say so ourselves, we've set the bar high for ourselves for the rest of the year. Damn. BSH 323 contains a multitude of super cool bikes; Yamaha, Triumph, Vincati, Harley, Indian - take your pick. As if that wasn't enough, there's a diesel-powered Harley and a stunning recreation of a Cyclone that I would kill to own. We've also got full coverage of the NEC, the Superrally, the Big Knock Rally, Rock & Bike Fest and the Unwanted MCC's Halloween Party, as well as the usual tech goodies and, of course, Ogri. And probably the dirtiest cover in BSH history...

MIDGET RACING

Just as a change of pace, some classic midget racing photos. Nothing to do with dwarves - midget car racing dates back to the 1930s and is basically Indycar on a budget. There's a thriving series in the UK that goes back to the late '60s, although the cars then looked more like '50s GP cars. But, like Indycar, much is down to the skill and courage of the driver.

Why the interest in midget car racing? Because, when the sport started in this country, back in the '60s, my Dad was one of the first race car drivers. And he was pretty damn good, if reckless. And you wonder where I get it from?

This is what Rod Tanswell wrote about my Dad in his book, 'Living With Spede':

Another driver who made his mark with Midgets about the time was of course Mick Miller (M22). Of all drivers past and present Mick was quite a character. He wasn't afraid to mix it with the other drivers in or out of a race. As far as the spectators were concerned they either clapped or booed Mick and the more they did it, the more he loved every minute of it ... Unfortunately we were to see Mick retire from the sport eventually, a great shame as I consider he could have been one of the all time great drivers in the Midget formula.

The first photo is my Dad.

VERONA SNAPS

And I say 'snaps' because I was on my holidays, wasn't I, guys?!!

GARAGE 65 WINS VERONA BIKE EXPO

A FEW MORE OLDIES

Just some stuff I had cluttering up my desktop...

LEAST SEXY POSE OF THE DAY

This poor girl has obviously been caught short and has had to crouch down behind an Ultimate engine for a wee...

BACK IN THE DAY...

... when long socks counted as safety wear and chaps in flat caps cheered a bit of manly kissing...