Flitwick motorcycles have a long association with the racing world. Steve Linsdell, owner has raced motorcycles on the track and road since 1979, specialising in more recent years at the challenging Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix road races.
We have been proud to sponsor many riders over the years including Matt Llewellyn, Nigel "Cap" Davies, and Fernando Mendes .
Olie Linsdell, 25 year old son of Steve and Carole currently competes under the Flitwick Motorcycles banner, competing at top level in the the major Road races, North West 200, Isle of man TT, and Ulster Grand Prix.
In 2007, At the age of only 19, he took his first win at the North West 200, and two decisive wins at his Debut at the Manx Grand prix, on the challenging TT circuit. He also holds the world record for the biggest winning margin on the Island circuit.
For 2013, we continue our support of Olie, who will compete in both classic and modern races, under the Umbrella of Team Flitwick Motorcycles.
22 year old David Linsdell, Steve and Caroles' youngest Son competes with the Classic Motorcycle Club, and for 2013 will ride our Flitwick Seely Enfield, and a Flitwick run Honda K4 350.
See up to date racing news below.
Visit Olie's Racing site 
Click on the  to expand a news item. |
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Racing update- October 2012- its been hectic....
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01 October 2012 |
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| Team Flitwick race at Armoy
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25 July 2012 |
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| North West 200 and TT- Back in the game....
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12 June 2012 |
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| Team Flitwick 2012 Road race plans in place
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26 April 2012 |
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| Olie back on Track
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31 March 2011 |
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| Olie Linsdell rides at Mallory
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04 January 2011 |
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| Update on Olies Recovery following his manx Grand Prix Crash
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07 October 2010 |
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| Olie Lifts the Barry Sheene Trophy at Scarborough
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06 July 2010 |
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| Isle of Man TT trials and highlights
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05 July 2010 |
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| Road Race season Kicks off- Scarborough, Cookstown and North West reports
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21 May 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick Linsdell’s clean up at Easter
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08 April 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick rider guest at Isle of Man TT media launch
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23 March 2010 |
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| Olie to ride FTR Moto2 Grand Prix machine in Isle of Man TT Senior
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24 February 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick Yamaha all set for 2010
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09 February 2010 |
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| Team Flitwick and Olie Linsdell announcement imminent
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09 February 2010 |
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| A tale of two Linsdells at the Manx Grand Prix
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07 September 2009 |
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| Olie pulls out of the Ulster GP
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04 August 2009 |
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| Horror 155 MPH crash for Olie at TT
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16 June 2009 |
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| Olie sets fastes time through speed trap at the North West 200
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15 May 2009 |
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| Portimao shakedown for Olie and Team Flitwick Motorcycles
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26 March 2009 |
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| Linsdell all set to ride the Roads this Season
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05 February 2009 |
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| Flitwick backed Olie 2009 race plans- update
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14 January 2009 |
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| Olie reigns supreme at Snetterton guest appearance
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11 September 2008 |
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| New Team mate joins Team Black Horse Yamaha and Olie
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03 September 2008 |
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| Top ten finish for Olie at Cadwell BSB Supertock 600
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01 September 2008 |
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| Fastest through the Speed Trap but no Finish for Steve
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26 August 2008 |
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| Win for Olie at Dundrod 150 and a new lap record
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16 August 2008 |
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| Olie in the points at Knockhill BSB Superstock 600
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12 August 2008 |
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| TT debut, Three replicas and a lap of 119.556-olie's two weeks at the Isle of Man TT....
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10 June 2008 |
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| Victory for Olie at North West 200
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18 May 2008 |
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| North West 200 Thursday practice marred by tragedy
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16 May 2008 |
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| First practice session at North West 200
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15 May 2008 |
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| Top six place for Olie at Brands
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14 May 2008 |
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| Oulton disappointment for Olie and Team black Horse Yamaha
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07 May 2008 |
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| Olie and the Black Horse Yamaha Team head to Oulton
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01 May 2008 |
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| Thruxton woes for Olie and Team Black Horse Yamaha
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20 April 2008 |
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| Olie surfing towards the North west 200
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17 April 2008 |
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| First BSB round abandoned as heavy Snow hits Brands Hatch on Sunday
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07 April 2008 |
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| Ride to Brands BSB Sunday 6th April
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03 April 2008 |
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| Team Black Horse Yamaha head to Brands Hatch
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03 April 2008 |
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| Snowy Snetterton debut for Team Black Horse Racing
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25 March 2008 |
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| Easter week-end testing at Snetterton for Olie
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21 March 2008 |
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| Want to be part of the Team?
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27 February 2008 |
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| Flitwick's rider Olie Linsdell signs for Team Black Horse Yamaha for 2008
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22 January 2008 |
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| Race team announcement imminent- watch this space
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21 January 2008 |
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| Olie stars in Young Guns Isle of Man TT promotion!
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11 October 2007 |
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| Championship win and new lap record for Olie
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09 October 2007 |
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| David completes his debut Racing year
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08 October 2007 |
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| Olie on a high for final Triumph 675 Young Guns at Brands
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03 October 2007 |
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| Pole position in finale of Triumph Young Guns- and a ride on the "Wobbly wheel"
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02 October 2007 |
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| Doldrums for Olie at Snetterton Young guns
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19 September 2007 |
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| Mechanical woes at Snetterton for Olie- but championship in sight!
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11 September 2007 |
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| Steve finishes on Podium in record breaking Manx Senior classic race
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05 September 2007 |
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| Bedfordshire's Olie Linsdell storms into History at Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix
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05 September 2007 |
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| Olie crashes out at Cadwell
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11 August 2007 |
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| Triumph Young Guns brands GP
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01 August 2007 |
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| Olie takes the King of Brands Crown!
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13 July 2007 |
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| David the younger race debut- another Linsdell on the track!
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09 July 2007 |
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| Olie back at Lyyden on 675 after Pembrey High side
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18 June 2007 |
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| "Paton the back" but no finish for Steve
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13 June 2007 |
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| Oulton lap record for Olie after highside at Pembrey
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03 June 2007 |
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| Flying lessons at Pembrey for Olie
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28 May 2007 |
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| Olie takes win at North West 200, and sets new lap record!
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12 May 2007 |
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| Flitwick Rider Olie sets pole at the North West 200!
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08 May 2007 |
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| Classic record breaker for Olie at Lydden Hill
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07 May 2007 |
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| Three rostrums for championship leader Olie at Cadwell!
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02 May 2007 |
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| Olie leads Michelin 675 Young guns series
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19 April 2007 |
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Classic style from Olie at Pembry
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11 April 2007 |
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It was Pembrey in Wales that was to host the first of the CRMC classic championships races, and the beginning of Olie's classic championship bid this year. He last rode the Fabulous Paton in October of last year, so to help rub off the rust we entered the Good Friday test session. The week leading up to the meeting was a busy one with the Paton being prepared and Steve's Royal Enfield ‘Bullet’ being rebuilt after spending 20 years in a million bits…. So busy in fact that the bikes were only finished at eleven o’clock on Thursday evening! This was probably a blessing in disguise, as leaving at 1.25 in the morning meant missing the majority of the holiday traffic. A quick break for two hours kip at Swindon was all the Team managed before continuing the trip in the morning, finally arriving at Pembrey at Nine.
The purpose of the test day was to get used to the bike again, and both Riders were glad of it. Steve had to sort out a bit of a clutch problem and pattering on the Enfield, and Olie had to learn the limitations of a Drum brake system, which are slightly different to a 675 or the 400 Yamaha!
Olies confidence grew as the day drew on and he was reasonably happy with his performance by the end of the day. The plan for the weekend for Olie was to build up to the important national race on Sunday afternoon.
The CRMC draws the first race from a hat (with a bit of help I think, as all the top runners were in the first few rows) and Olie was placed 5th on the grid. He was still learning the bike and just wanted a solid finish. A good start saw the 6 laps pass quickly, holding his position and finishing 5th. Some settings were changed, to combat the chatter which seems to plague all bike’s at Pembrey, and Olie was hoping to get nearer to ‘King’ Lea Gourlay. In the second race, Olie improved and finished in 4th, dropping his lap time down to 1.05.7, but it became apparent that arm pump (a problem with many racers) was starting to be an issue. This is something Olie has never really suffered from on the track, but after only 6 laps he could no longer brake properly and it was a severe hindrance. The brake lever fitted is not adjustable on the Paton, and the position seemed to kink his wrist.
After a much needed rest, Olie and Steve thought about the problems that Olie was having, and talked about possible causes and solutions. It was decided to get some more weight over the back to tyre to stop the small front tyre sliding and running wide, when the rear had too much grip. Slides are easier to control if both ends drift rather than one end going quickly. Overnight some softer rear springs were also fitted, and the gearing was altered slightly to try and regain some acceleration on the singles, which seem to get a really good punch out of the corners.
Practice on Sunday went well. The bike felt much more balanced and Olie felt confident about the day’s races. The first race saw him get a good start, and lead into the first corner. Getting used to drum brakes and their capabilities and the classic tyres and how they perform, a few people came by in the opening laps, but Olie got his head down and managed to pass them back and take Luke Notten at about half distance. Lea Gourley was now too far in front to be caught so Olie was set for a second place. However selecting a false neutral around the long left-hander, allowed Luke to sneak back through, and Olie finished with a podium third. The trend was continuing- 5th, 4th, 3rd, and we were hoping for a win in the national. The second race of the day Olie once again lead into the first corner then hold second for the rest of the race, coming home about a second and a half behind Lea Gourlay. Getting closer. We were pleased to see reduced lap times to 1.04.3 and the bike working much better for the adjustments.
The last race of the weekend was the national. Olie knew he might struggle with the race distance, due to the increasing arm pump problem, the distance being nearly double the other races. Starting from second on the grid Olie got balked in the first corner and lost a few places, but pushed on, knowing that he needed a good result to get the championship off to a flying start. By lap three he'd worked his way to 2nd place and set about catching Lea, who by this time was just a few second’s in front. Olie was faster down the start finish and throughout the first half of the track, while Lea was slightly better in the second. By lap 6, normal race distance, the Paton was right on Lea’s tail. Getting tired toward the latter part of the race Olie tried to relax, as he knew he could have a good stab at winning. However his arm pump was now so bad that he could hardly brake or hold on during the last lap, Mike Smith managed to get by and Olie had to settle for 3rd and a lap time of 1.04 dead.
Overall it wasn’t a bad weekend. Olies confidence grew as the weekend progressed, and will only get quicker. Lea Gourley and Mike Smith were only one tenth of a second faster than last year, but it's likely Olie has lots to come. By Lydden on the 5th/6th May a new brake lever to combat the arm pump should be fitted and a new front tyre to provide a bit more stability and grip. It will be tough as it is a slow, twisty track, more suited to the light singles than the heavier, powerful Paton twin, but we're sure Olie will be right up at the sharp end trying to close the gap on Gourlay.
Next up is the first round of the Triumph Young Guns on the Wheeler Electrical Triumph 675, this weekend 14/15th at Snetterton. Hopefully see some of you there.
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| Royal fun for Steve at Pembry!
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11 April 2007 |
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| Archive racing news
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03 January 2005 |
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