|
|
| To The Races | ||
What does mankind do when he invents a new machine or vehicle? Easy, he tries to make it go faster and if possible, he races it.The first known motorcycle race took place in France on the 20th September 1896 when EIGHT riders raced from Paris to Nantes and back . The course was 139 miles (152 km) and was won by M.Chevalier on a Michelin-Dion tricycle in a time of 4hours 10mins. 37seconds. It was over a year later before the first race for two-wheeled motorcycles took place . It took place on an oval track at Sheen House, Richmond, Surrey on the 29th November 1897. The race distance was over one mile and was won by Charles Jarrot in a time of 2mins 8secs on a Fournier.
|
||
 |
It was the advent of road racing that really helped to improve motor cycle design. The oldest and most famous motor cycle race (still running) is, of course, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races (The TT). In 1905 the Auto Cycle Club of the RAC (ACU) came to the island and held rehearsals for the 1906 International Cup race. Why the island? Road racing was banned on the mainland. It proved to be so popular that the TT was inaugurated on the 28th May 1907. The race was won by CHARLIE COLLIER on a single-cylinder Matchless. |
|
While the TT was starting its history in the Isle of Man things were happening elsewhere to cater for this new sport of Motor Cycle racing. Not on the public roads this time but on a purpose built motor racing track, BROOKLANDS. Situated near Weybridge in Surrey (England) the course was officially opened in June 1907, the first motor cycle race taking place the year after in February 1908, a private duel between the race's winner W.C.McMinnies on a Triumph and O.L. Bickford on a Vindec. The British Automobile Racing Club, having watched the race, added motor cycling to the menu at their Easter meeting on 20th April 1908. Twenty one riders took part, engine sizes ranging from 331 to almost 1000cc. It was to be the largest and most powerful bike, a 948cc NLG(North London Garages)-Peugot, with an average speed of 63mph, ridden by W.E. Cook, that took the prize of twenty sovereigns, a veritable fortune for the day.
BRITAIN VERSUS AMERICA, THE BEGINNING.
In the U.S.A. both the major factories, Indian and Harley-Davidson, founded in 1901 1nd 1903 respectively, had soon both got involved in racing. News filtered across the Atlantic to Britain of remarkable speed records. Britain's Brooklands speed riders put down to American exaggeration the news that that an 'Indian' rider, Jake de Rosier had, on his 994cc machine, raced for an hour and covered 84miles. When Jake arrived in England he was already the holder of three world speed records while Charlie Collier on his 985cc Jap powered Matchless was also a recognised World Champion. There was three races held on the 2.75 miles, banked track at Brooklands, 2, 5 and 10 laps respectively. The races were held on Saturday 15 July 1911. The two men dressed differently for the event, Jake wearing close fitting brown leathers while Charlie donned a white pullover and riding breeches. They both wore aviator style helmets. In a well balanced contest it was to be the American who took the final honours if aided by a machine problem encountered by Charlie, his ignition switch moving to off caused by vibration, the final tally..........2 races to 1.
Between The Wars.
It was on the Isle of Man during the 1920's that many great names, still talked of in some circles today, came to the fore. This was a time when British riders and bikes ruled supreme. Jimmy Simpson, Jimmy Guthrie, Graham Walker, Percy Hunt, Alec Bennett, Freddie Frith, Harold Daniell, Wal Handley, Freddie Dixon and Stanley Woods rushed form race to race success after another at the Isle of Man, Brooklands and across Europe. They rode Nortons, AJS's, Sunbeams, Rudge, Velocette, Matchless and Douglas's. In 1923 the first sidecar race took place at the TT won by Freddie Dixon on a Douglas-powered combination. 1924 saw Norton get their first win in the Senior TT, ridden by Alec Bennett. It was also the first time that a TT race had averaged more than 60mph, Bennett's average being 61.64mph. 1928 saw the first machine to exceed 100mph. It was a Velocette 350 and at the famous Montlhery track in France on 18/19 March 1961 it became the first machine to exceed a 100mph average for 24 hours, the official figure an average of 100.05 mph acheived by an eight stong team of Anglo/French riders. Velocette sadly went into voluntary liquidation in 1971.
After The War Until Today.
No doubt a contributory factor to failing British was the invasion of the Japanese. It was Honda first on the Isle of Man followed quickly by Suzuki and Yamaha. MV Augusta too were successful with many 'legends' astride the saddle. The rider that actually proved his worth to me was Agostini. Rightly or wrongly, along with others, thought that he only won races because of the superior bike. At the TT he proved he could RIDE. 1949 the TT became part of the newly formed FIM World Championships. Many famous names 'did the business' on the Island. As well as 'Ago' there was FFrith, Duke, Amm, Les Graham (Tragically killed on the course during the Senior in 1953), Haas, Surtees, McIntyre, Ubbiali, Hailwood, Minter (The 1st man to take a single cylinder machine around the course at over 100mph in 1960), Read, Ito, Anderson, Taveri, Hocking, Degner, Redman, Itoh, Ivy. I could fill pages with names and no doubt they would all strike a chord and a memory for fans old and new. The names I mention take us up to the time when the TT ceased to be a GP anymore, the final year being in 1976 when by coincidence a young Irishman made his TT debut. On Mike Hailwood (My Heroes) page I mention the Irish love of 'the road race'. It is safe to say that this particular Irishman has a certain aptitude for it, Joey Dunlop. To this day the TT is still as, if not more, popular than ever.Why do they do it? people ask when we hear of another death on the course and believe me I mourn every biker that loses his life competing in THE TT. In answer to the critics I quote climbers who scale Everest, 'Because it's there'. It is part of the psyche of man to overcome the ultimate test.
