Philippe de Lespinay with his 1966 Honda RC116
Make: Derbi
Model: Grand Prix
Country of Origin:Barcelona, Spain
Engine: 50cc Twin
Year: 1966
Transmission: 9 Speed
Owner: Philippe de Lespinay
City: Newport Beach
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Congratulations to Philippe de Lespinay of Newport Beach for Honorable Mention for his 1972 Derbi Grand Prix.
Philippe won a plaque provided by Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys.
This is the second bike Philippe has ever brought to our meet. He told me he has a good
collection of motorcycles of this caliber.
Philippe shared this information:
Technical Characteristics
Displacement: 49.90cc (50cc, 3.2 C.I.)
Bore/Stroke: 40mm × 39.6mm (1.57 in × 1.54 in)
Two-stroke, single cylinder, liquid cooled w/electric coolant pump, disc-valve induction aluminum crankcases, forged steel crankshaft and connecting rod, aluminum piston
Transmission: 6-speed sequential, dry clutch
Carburetor: IRZ 25mm
Ignition: Motoplat electronic magneto with battery and high-voltage coil
Weight: 60 kg, 132 lbs. (1972 FIM minimum weight, dry)
Power: 18.5 hp (14 kW) @ 16,500 rpm
Top Speed: 122 mph
Based in Barcelona and Spain’s largest motorcycle manufacturer, Derbi was founded by Simeon Rabasa in 1922 as a bicycle repair shop. After WW2, it began building motorcycles to serve the transportation needs of the country. The name “Derbi” came from the amalgam of “Derivados de Bicicletas” (“Derived from Bicycles”). By 1959, it had also achieved an enviable racing record, using modified production motorcycles to win its class at the Montjuic 24-hour endurance race.
In 1960, Derbi introduced a line of 50cc mopeds which proved wildly popular, and immediately began racing them. By 1963, the Derbi racing machines had evolved into sophisticated devices competitive at Grand Prix level. Once the FIM placed a limit on the number of cylinders and gears a racing motorcycle could have, thus eliminating the exotic Japanese machinery which had dominated since 1962, young factory rider Angel Nieto won the world championship in 1969 and 1970. He also won the 1971 125cc championship, on Derbi machinery as well.
Nieto was to repeat this achievement in 1972 in both classes, in the 50cc class with one of the machines you see here, after a year-long battle with Dutchman and 1971 champion Jan De Vries, on the Kreidler 50cc developed by Dutch importer Henk van Veen. Equal in points and finishes, the title was decided on elapsed racing time and Nieto won by a mere 21 seconds.
Thank you Philippe for bringing out this rare bike for all of us to see.
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