This first running of the Coca-Cola 800 was quite a big deal back in the day with the winner receiving $10,000! It was open to both prototype and production machines up to 1300cc and to TT F1 bikes.
Kawasaki entered one of their extremely rare Z1000SRs with Gregg Hansford and Jim Budd riding
1980 Coca Cola 800 – Kawasaki Z1000SR – ridden by Gregg Hansford and Jim Budd1980 Coca Cola 800 – Kawasaki Z1000SR – ridden by Gregg Hansford and Jim Budd1980 Coca Cola 800 – Kawasaki Z1000SR – ridden by Gregg Hansford and Jim Budd
It finished eighth after suffering from ignition problems
1980 Coca Cola 800 – Kawasaki Z1000SR – ridden by Gregg Hansford and Jim Budd1980 Coca Cola 800 – Kawasaki Z1000SR – ridden by Gregg Hansford and Jim Budd
Honda entered two ‘factory’ RSCs 1062, with riders Mick Cole and Alan Decker winning the event. Rod Cox and Malcolm Campbell on a production Honda CB 900 came second while Ron Boulden and Rick Walden finished third on a production Yamaha XS 1100.
Other interesting entries included a Honda CBX 1000, Kawasaki Z1300 and a certain Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner.
1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner1980 Coca Cola 800 – Ducati 900NCR ridden by Dave Robbins and Wayne Gardner
A Honda CBX1000
1980 Coca Cola 800 – Honda CBX1000
The Mentor Motorcycles/Peter Molloy Honda
1980 Coca Cola 800 – Mentor Motorcycles/Peter Molloy Honda1980 Coca Cola 800 – Mentor Motorcycles/Peter Molloy Honda1980 Coca Cola 800 – Mentor Motorcycles/Peter Molloy Honda
Steve Trinder
1980 Coca Cola 800 – Steve Trinder1980 Coca Cola 800 – Steve Trinder
Phil Aynsley sadly passed away in 2023 after a life spent travelling the world photographing many of the rarest and most beautiful motorcycles ever made. We are proud to continue showcasing his catalogue of work on MCNews.com.au.
