Rolling Thunder – the history of CCM

A new book on the history of the UK’s biggest off-road competition success story is due for publication this month.

Rolling Thunder, CCM Motorcycles: The Odyssey, is a 208-page hardback published by Parker House

Born from the closure of BSA’s racing department in 1971, CCM (or Clews Competition Motorcycles) had its original workshop in founder Alan Clews’ garage.

Clews developed his own four-stroke motocross engines to fit in the BSA chassis he’d bought up. Achieving success in the mid-70s in the 500cc MX championship, the firm went on use Rotax engines in later machines of the ’80s and ’90s.

The company was sold twice before Clews bought it back in 2004. A new range was launched in 2005, and the company entered the world MX championship again in 2008.

Rolling Thunder costs £30 and is available from www.bookdepository.co.uk

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