Send to a friendAustin November 19th, 2007 3:51 PM Link
We needed a Scandinavian Flick there.
Formula Fleetline: Retired London Double Deckers go Racing
Written By: Evan McCausland
At first glance, this almost seems to be a sketch right out of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. It’s along the same lines as the “Olympic Hide & Seek” gag, and we’ll be darned if the commentator doesn’t sound like Eric Idle.
But it’s real. We knew Europeans will race everything from 2CVs to semi trucks, but this particular event, captured by the BBC’s World of Sport in 1987, takes the cake: no less than six ex-London Transport double-decker buses careening their way around an (extremely) short track.
(Click through for more on these racing-spec double deckers)
The age of the iconic AEC Routemaster double-decker was supposed to draw to a close in 1963, when the rear-engined Daimler Fleetline entered into service in London’s fleet. In a twist of irony, the Routemaster outlived its successor, remaining in service through 2005, while the first batch of Daimlers were retired in 1979.
Six of those buses were pulled for this “gag,” which WOS seems to take somewhat seriously. Sure, none of the lumbering giants dips into triple-digit speeds (we’d guess breaking 40 mph would be a feat), but we’re guessing all drivers had to be at their best. There’s little room for passing, and as one driver notes, throwing the bus into the corner means wrestling with “chronic oversteer.”
Still, it’s a form of racing lunacy we’ve never seen, let alone imagined. If anything, only the BTRA comes close…
5 Comments
Kareem Sultan November 19th, 2007 7:19 PM Link
I would love to see some in-car(in-bus?) footage of one of those buses. Imagine the view of one of these buses overtaking under braking.
Crazy brits! They know how to have fun with motorsport though. You have to give them that.
Bob November 19th, 2007 7:59 PM Link
When I first read “chronic oversteer”, I thought we’d get to see some double-decker-drifting …
Quote - “There’s little room for passing, and as one driver notes, throwing the bus into the corner means wrestling with “chronic oversteer.” - unquote.
Understeer was what I expected, and we certainly got that!
Oh well, it was still pretty funny even though the driver said it was chronic understeer.
Steve Annells November 22nd, 2007 7:11 PM Link
‘World of Sport’ was an ITV sport programme shown in competition with the BBC’s ‘Grandstand. The date I have for this clip is 1984.
While the Routemaster was arguably obsolete when it began entering service in 1960, the last new examples weren’t delivered until 1968. The first generation of buses intended to replace it were rear-engined singledecker AEC Merlins which first hit the road in quantity in 1966, after trial batches of rear-engined Daimler Fleetlines and Leyland Atlanteans, and even a single rear-engined Routemaster. The Merlins were shortlived, however, and DMS-type Fleetlines such as are seen racing in the clip began entering service in 1971.
Although they lasted only a few years in London, the DMS Fleetlines went on to serve successfully all over the world with other operators.
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