During the 1970's Tom Herron and his wife Andrea ran one of the most successful privateer teams of that era.
In the winter of 1973, Andrea gave a first hand account of the Herron's season as it had really happened that year.
Part One
This time last year we sold our three-horse stable - my own 250 along with Tom's 250 and 350 - to make way for two brand new Yamaha's, a 250 from an English dealer and a 350 from the States. We just prayed that they would arrive on time but as a precaution we bought a brand new air-cooled 350 which was to go 'on the market' just as soon as the correct machinery arrived.
As you can imagine the money situation was a very complex case of juggling our finances, but with the help of two friends, our bank manager was one, we scraped through. One thing we hadn't reckoned on was the fantastic price of bikes for '73. Once we had paid for the 350 there was no way to pay for the 250 until Fred Wadsworth of Wadsworth's Fashions, Newcastle, realised the predicament we had got ourselves into. Without him we wouldn't have been able to have a 250 - thanks Fred.
Other generous support came from Colin Cunningham of Lurgan who supplied all our racing tyres. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for Colin. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Bass-Charrington and Irlandais Sports and Accessory Centre in Lisburn. The brothers Alec and the late Johnny Williamson had a definite 'goal' for the '73 season - this was to see that Tom finished in as many races as possible. Their meticulous machine preparation transformed the Yams into reliable units.
Our own aim was to compete in as many events as was financially possible and for Tom to achieve his personal ambition, that of an Irish champion.
The season started badly on March 4. Abruptly we were awakened from our winter hibernation by the long journey from Stranraer to Mallory Park - it's a journey which we can do almost blindfolded now. To add to this, the weather was far from pleasant, Tom had slow lap times and there was still no news of the new machinery.
However, the next week brought a change of mind. A phone call told us that the new 250 had arrived in England. I flew over immediately and brought it home by boat that same night. A fortnight later we were back in England for Oulton Park where Tom finished 14th in the 350 race. At this time Mickey Laverty was really 'flying' just as everyone had prophesised he would and we thought he was in for a fantastic season. The home season commenced with Maghaberry followed by Kirkistown.
Tandragee was of course the first real road race. On a soaking wet track, Tom finished second to Gerry Mateer in the 350 class and third behind Ray McCullough and our Uncle Wilf in the 250. By this time we were very worried about the non-arrival of the water-cooled 350 because we felt it was essential for the North-West 200 which was now only a fortnight away.
Following numerous phone calls to the States the 350 finally arrived- just a week prior to the North-West.
Tom, Johnny and Alec, together with 'Big John' and Neil (they kept the bikes gleaming all season) worked non-stop to get the 350 into proper shape. After the North-West practice we all thought that Tom was about to hang up his leathers for, unbelievably both bikes seized - understandably he wasn't in good humour.
Jim Scott and Tom stripped and rebuilt the 350 four times that evening. It seized every time they started it up. At last a faulty thermostat was diagnosed.
The 250 was also pulled down and rebuilt - they thought that a chip of paint in the carb was the cause. However, as soon as it was started in the paddock on race morning it seized again. At times we thought that a jinx was descending on us!
To be continued..........
In the winter of 1973, Andrea gave a first hand account of the Herron's season as it had really happened that year.
Part One
This time last year we sold our three-horse stable - my own 250 along with Tom's 250 and 350 - to make way for two brand new Yamaha's, a 250 from an English dealer and a 350 from the States. We just prayed that they would arrive on time but as a precaution we bought a brand new air-cooled 350 which was to go 'on the market' just as soon as the correct machinery arrived.As you can imagine the money situation was a very complex case of juggling our finances, but with the help of two friends, our bank manager was one, we scraped through. One thing we hadn't reckoned on was the fantastic price of bikes for '73. Once we had paid for the 350 there was no way to pay for the 250 until Fred Wadsworth of Wadsworth's Fashions, Newcastle, realised the predicament we had got ourselves into. Without him we wouldn't have been able to have a 250 - thanks Fred.
Other generous support came from Colin Cunningham of Lurgan who supplied all our racing tyres. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for Colin. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Bass-Charrington and Irlandais Sports and Accessory Centre in Lisburn. The brothers Alec and the late Johnny Williamson had a definite 'goal' for the '73 season - this was to see that Tom finished in as many races as possible. Their meticulous machine preparation transformed the Yams into reliable units.
Our own aim was to compete in as many events as was financially possible and for Tom to achieve his personal ambition, that of an Irish champion.
The season started badly on March 4. Abruptly we were awakened from our winter hibernation by the long journey from Stranraer to Mallory Park - it's a journey which we can do almost blindfolded now. To add to this, the weather was far from pleasant, Tom had slow lap times and there was still no news of the new machinery.
However, the next week brought a change of mind. A phone call told us that the new 250 had arrived in England. I flew over immediately and brought it home by boat that same night. A fortnight later we were back in England for Oulton Park where Tom finished 14th in the 350 race. At this time Mickey Laverty was really 'flying' just as everyone had prophesised he would and we thought he was in for a fantastic season. The home season commenced with Maghaberry followed by Kirkistown.
Tandragee was of course the first real road race. On a soaking wet track, Tom finished second to Gerry Mateer in the 350 class and third behind Ray McCullough and our Uncle Wilf in the 250. By this time we were very worried about the non-arrival of the water-cooled 350 because we felt it was essential for the North-West 200 which was now only a fortnight away.
Following numerous phone calls to the States the 350 finally arrived- just a week prior to the North-West.
Tom, Johnny and Alec, together with 'Big John' and Neil (they kept the bikes gleaming all season) worked non-stop to get the 350 into proper shape. After the North-West practice we all thought that Tom was about to hang up his leathers for, unbelievably both bikes seized - understandably he wasn't in good humour.
Jim Scott and Tom stripped and rebuilt the 350 four times that evening. It seized every time they started it up. At last a faulty thermostat was diagnosed.
The 250 was also pulled down and rebuilt - they thought that a chip of paint in the carb was the cause. However, as soon as it was started in the paddock on race morning it seized again. At times we thought that a jinx was descending on us!
To be continued..........