As one of the greats of British scrambling/motocross during the Sixties, Vic Eastwood was part of the Team GB winning team at the 1965, ’66 and ’67 Motocross Des Nations, while 1965 saw Vic claim his highest finish in the World 500cc Motocross Championship, with fourth place on the works BSA, and in 1968 Vic claimed victory in the 500cc British Grand Prix at Farleigh Castle.
His best year, 1965, was when he finished fourth overall behind Jeff Smith, Paul Friedrichs and Rolf Tibblin in the 500 World Championships.
Vic won two 500 GPs – that 1968 British Grand Prix at Farleigh Castle, and also the 1968 Luxembourg Grand Prix at Ettlebruck.
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And although it looked like 1969 would be Vic’s year to win the 500 World Championship, he broke his leg at the televised BBC Grandstand race at Hawkstone Park.
During his GP career, Vic raced GPs from 1964 to 1978, and was the runner-up in the British National Championships no less than eight times.
And while many people remember Vic Eastwood for his glory days in motocross Grand Prix, an important part of his career was his willingness to try different ideas.
Although he rode to fame on Matchless and BSA machines, he also raced the ground-breaking aluminum-framed bikes built by Alf Hagon, as well as Alan Clews’ CCM four-strokes.
After he retired from racing, he opened the successful Vic Eastwood Motorcycles in Kent in 1980, still open to this day.
Vic will be sorely missed by many, and all of us here at OBM wish to offer our condolences to his wife Ann, sons Mark and Scott, and all his family and friends.
Read more News and Features in the January 2020 issue of Old Bike Mart – on sale now!
