1955 Moto Guzzi Racing Plans Fergus Anderson - 1-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article

Description

1955 Moto Guzzi Racing Plans Fergus Anderson - 1-Page Vintage Motorcycle Article
Original, Vintage Magazine Article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
A Letter from Fergus Anderson Reveals
MOTO GUZZI’S RACING
PLANS for 1955
Dear Mr. Bagnall:
It is at once a pleasure and an honor
for me to be able to tell you that Dr.
Enrico Parodi has appointed me Man-
ager of the Moto Guzzi racing team,
and it is in that capacity that I want to
tell you something of our plans for
the forthcoming season.
Firstly about riders: Ken Kavanagh
and Duilio Agostini have been re-
engaged and we were very happy when
Dickie Dale offered us services. These
three riders are all engaged on long-
term contracts. I was specially charged
to try to bring forward some young
Italian rider, so we have also en-
gaged Giovanni Rocchi 1954 Italian
Champion in the second category. This
is a shot in the dark; but Rocchi now
has an opportunity that I would have
welcomed at his age, and if his own
Moto Guzzi's latest racing motorcycle. All speci-
fications are still “top drawer secret." What's
your guess?
efforts can be welded together with
my help and experience we hope that
he will develop rapidly as a rider.
A good general does not say where
and in what strength he will deploy
his forces, and at this early date you
will not expect from me more than a
broad outline of our program.
Of course we will try to dominate in
the 350 class for a third successive
year.
We will continue with our efforts
in the 500 class.
We are very proud of our “Record
of Records” but now (altho we still
hold more records than any other
make) the number has fallen below
100. We will try to remedy this!
With some reluctance we have felt it
best to take no direct part in either the
Italian or World Championships in the
250 class. However we have disposed
of some obsolete machines to Enrico
Lorenzetti, Roerto Colombo, and Cecil
Sandford.
Thus it is probable that the 250 class
will be disputed amongst private or
“semi-works” riders. This does not
mean that we have abandoned the 250
class, in fact we hope shortly to run
some machines on an experimental
basis so that we may be ready for the
eventual return of other manufacturers
to this class.
Enclosed herewith is the design
drawing of a machine which already is
nearing the testing stage. It is the
brain-child of Ing. Giulio Carcano. As
Key figures in Moto Guzzi's' 1 955 racing team.
Top left is famed Fergus Anderson, Team Man-
ager; top right—Ken Kavanaugh; bottom left—
Dickie Dale; bottom right—Duilio Agostini, only
Italian rider among the “first string."
soon as it is appropriate I will not fail
to let you have full details; that mo-
ment has not yet arrived, however, so
in the meantime you can speculate as
to its characteristics—and engine size!
Finally a word about my own posi-
tion. I have a free hand to ride if or
when I think fit. As I shall regard my-
self mainly as a reserve for our official
riders it is to be hoped that I will ride
very seldom. Of course I shall con-
tinue to take part in the test riding
to assist in the development of old
and new designs.
As you know my connection with the
press goes back further than my con-
nection with racing. Please remember
that if you ever need any help or in-
formation in Mandello that you will al-
ways find an ally in
Yours Truly,
Fergus Anderson
Moto Guzzi
14705-5504-02