Transatlantic Trophy

The Transatlantic Trophy (initially called Anglo-American Match Races) was an annual series of motorcycle races between the United Kingdom and America held from 1971 to 1988 and again in 1991. They were mostly held over the Easter weekend at Brands Hatch, Mallory Park and Oulton Park, although some races were held at Donington Park and Snetterton. Three different specifications of motorcycles were used in the series at various times: AMA/F750, Superbike and GP.

British journalists, Gavin Trippe and Bruce Cox, ran California based Motor Cycle Weekly and promoted motorcycle races in the US. The pair were keen to promote American racers in the UK. They met with Chris Lowe of Motor Circuit Developments (MCD), who ran Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Mallory Park circuits, and Jim Swift of the British Motorcycle Racing Club at the 1970 Daytona 200 and the plan for the Transatlantic Trophy was formulated. Ron Grant, the leader of the US Suzuki team supported the scheme. Lowe approached BSA/Triumph who agreed to supply 750 cc racing triples for the riders and to support the series.

BSA/Triumph withdrew after the 1971 event and John Player became the title sponsor from 1972. The name of the series was changed to Transatlantic Trophy in the same year.

The initial format was 2 races at each of the three tracks over the Easter weekend: Brands Hatch (Good Friday), Mallory Park (Easter Sunday) and Oulton Park (Easter Monday). Marlboro became the title sponsor in 1979. Motor Circuit Developments sold Mallory Park in late 1982, and for 1983 Snetterton Circuit was used as the third circuit. To fit in with Snetterton's schedule the races were moved to May Day weekend. There were allegations of financial irregularities by Motor Circuit Developments, in late 1983. Tom Wheatcroft, owner of Donington Park, stepped in and the entire series was staged at Donington Park from 1984. There was no title sponsor for 1984 but Shell Oils sponsored the series from 1985 to 1987. Brands Hatch returned as a venue in 1987, with 3 races at brands and six at Donington.

Donington was to host the inaugural round of the Superbike World Championship on Easter Sunday 1988. For the mutual benefit of both WSB and the Transatlantic Match (which both used similar specification machines) the Transatlanic series was expanded to four teams and renamed the Eurolantic Challenge as it included European riders. No matches were held in 1989 and 1990. The final match, known as the Transatlantic Superbike Challenge that year, was held at Brands Hatch and Mallory Park in May 1991.

In 1984 Honda works rider Freddie Spencer crashed and broke bones in his feet. This caused him to miss the Spanish GP. Team mate Ron Haslam had also crashed. Honda withdrew its support for the non-championship event. Other manufactures followed suit over the next few years. Without the top riders the series declined and was cancelled after the 1991 matches.