Peter Sharman, of Somerset in England, had been trying unsuccessfully for many years to get in contact with Batemans Bay and former Surrey (UK) buddy Eric Stallard, with letters returning answered.

Technology provided the missing link when Mr Sharman came across a story about Mr Stallard’s love for motorbikes, “Two wheels the real deal for Eric Stallard,” on the Bay Post/Moruya Examiner website, which had been published in July, 2014.

He emailed the newspaper, and soon after his correspondence was received, journalist Josh Gidney bumped into Mr Stallard, got his email address, emailed it to Mr Sharman and an old friendship forged by fast two-wheeled machines was renewed.

“Eric and I met almost by accident in the early sixties, at Guildford Technical College, where we were both studying engineering,” Mr Sharman said.

Mr Sharman learned that Mr Stallard was looking for a mechanic and jumped at the chance.

“We raced at Oulton Park, Mallory Park, Snetterton, Castle Combe, Thruxton, Silverstone and Brands Hatch,” he said.

Mr Stallard said he and Mr Sharman were now in regular contact by phone and email.

“He has weathered much better than me,” he said.