JAP advertising copy took on a changing pattern during the first three months of 1922. The first advertisement to be published related to the new 293cc side valve engine, which was claimed to have four outstanding attributes - Efficiency, Reliability, Speed and Economy. But when the results of the London - Exeter - London Trial were announced, no opportunity was lost to proclaim that 25% of the Gold Medals were awarded to riders of JAP-engined machines. Rather as an afterthought, attention was drawn to 'The Combination Single', the 85x95mm 550cc. Only a matter of a few weeks later, a prophetic advertisement appeared, which proudly announced 'Britain's Reply - The Super Big Twin', an allusion to the 986cc 85.5x85mm ohv sports engine.
It had not escaped the attention of motorcycle enthusiasts that the American big twins were now making most of the running at speed events in the larger capacity classes. Something was needed to restore British supremacy.
The first positive step to be taken in this direction was made towards the end of March, when a small announcement in The Motor Cycle, accompanied by a photograph, confirmed that Bert Le Vack would henceforth be associated with the JAP marque as development engineer. The photograph showed him astride a Brough Superior fitted with a 976cc vee-twin JAP engine, the machine on which he had competed at the recently-held Essex MC's Kop hill climb. This particular meeting is worthy of special mention because the star of the event was Stan Greening. He made five ascents on a 250cc Francis-Barnett JAP, all five times varying by not more than 0.5 second, a quite remarkable feat of consistency. He won the 250cc and 350cc Touring Classes outright, was second in the 500cc Class, and first in the 750cc Class.
Vivian Prestwich also rode at the same meeting, using a machine fitted with a 2-hp JAP engine. He was second in the 250cc and 350cc Touring Classes, 6th in the 500cc Class, and 3rd in the 750cc Class. He was also placed 5th and 6th respectively in the Any Machine up to 500cc and 1,000cc Classes. Once again, JAP engines had made their mark in no uncertain manner.
The acquisition of Le Vack's services was a brilliant move, for although he remained with the company for less than four years, he accomplished so very much during this relatively short period. Yet for all that, he was an enigmatic character, such that what little is known about him has been told by his nephew, Wal Phillips. He hero-worshipped his uncle and managed to get a job at the factory to be near him.
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