Trevor Nation races the wicked looking Norton NRS 588 at Mallory Park during the 1991 Match Races. Nation was awesome on the fire-breathing JPS Norton, scoring two podiums at Mallory Park to help the British team to victory over the American squad. The Norton is a race bike I will never forget. Its rotary engine had a unique growl and it simply exploded off the turns, leaving the other Superbikes in its wake. It also shot flames from its exhaust, although I never managed to capture that on film. Its black paint scheme made the bike even more menacing. The one issue riders reported with the bike was that it was difficult to flick side to side because the rotation of the rotary acted like a gyroscope trying to keep the bike straight up and down. Of all the motorcycles I’ve had the privilege to watch race, the Norton NRS 588 ranks right up there as one of the most impressive ever.

Trevor Nation races the intimidating Norton NRS 588 at Mallory Park during the 1991 Match Races. Nation was awesome on the fire-breathing JPS Norton, scoring two podiums at Mallory Park to help the British team to victory over the American squad. (Larry Lawrence photo)