Post-war Road Racing in Germany / Bill Paynter
Occasionally, you meet someone who has unusual stories. Bill Paynter is just such a man. After WWII, he was stationed in Germany. His men didn't want to go out on leave. Bill was adventurous and he took the opportunity to engage in the local life and culture around the base.
Waiting for a start.
He bought the same clothing that Germans were wearing. He met Germans that were having a great time Road Racing their motorcycles.
Riding through the country.
Intrigued, he purchased his own BMW 500, joined the club, and began campaigning his bike every weekend.
On the starting line.
He has great stories about home made beer muffler baffles and helping out the BMW factory folks.
You had to get to the race course the day before to get practice runs in if you wanted to race at all.
He strategized with race partners to help everyone get what they wanted.
His best friend raced a Zundapp, and together they dominated the entire club. They were very closely matched, and agreed to alternate 1st place wins every weekend.
On the award stand with his Zundapp friend.
As a club, and as friends, everyone helped each other. Here he is giving a friend a lift, back to the friend's motorcycle so a flat can be repaired.
Riding 2 up.
Racing was done on the cobblestone streets of towns. They blocked off the streets to traffic, and set up a communication system with field-phones and wire. The race stewards were positioned around the course with the field-phones to report on racing infractions.
Racing on a Closed Circuit, banked track.
On a Flat Track.
Although Bill didn't do Flat Track or Closed Circuit on his BMW 500, he did experiment with Off Road. He decided not to pursue serious Off Road, and you can see why...
Entering ditch.
Riding out of ditch.
Out of ditch.
Serious mud.
