71,744
edits
Difference between revisions of "Isle of Man TT"
m
no summary specified
m (→The 1920s) |
m (no summary specified) |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
Motor-Cycle racing in the Isle of Man did not restart after the end of the First World War until 1920. Changes where made to the Snaefell mountain course and competitors now turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona and followed the primary A18 Mountain Road to Governors Bridge with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course to 37 ¾ miles. | Motor-Cycle racing in the Isle of Man did not restart after the end of the First World War until 1920. Changes where made to the Snaefell mountain course and competitors now turned left at Cronk-ny-Mona and followed the primary A18 Mountain Road to Governors Bridge with a new start/finish line on Glencrutchery Road which lengthened the course to 37 ¾ miles. | ||
The 1920 Junior TT Race included for the first time a new Lightweight class for motor-cycles of 250cc engine capacity. The Lighweight class of the 1920 Junior TT race was won by R.O Clarke riding a [[Levis (motorcycle)|Levis]] and he may have won the event overall but crashed at the 33rd Milestone on the last lap, finishing fourth overall. The 1921 Senior TT race was won by Howard Davies riding a 350cc Junior TT Race motor-cycle by a margin of 2 minutes and 3 seconds from Freddie Dixon and [[Hubert Le Vack]]. For 1922 the ACU introduced for 250cc motor-cycle a [[Lightweight TT]] race and the first winner was [[Geoff S.Davison]] riding a Levis motor-cycle at an average race speed of 49.89. The 1922 Junior TT Race was won by local Isle of Man competitor [[Tom M.Sheard]] riding an AJS motor-cycle at an average race speed of 54.75 mph. Despite crashing twice, a broken exhaust and a fire in the pits, [[Stanley Woods]] riding a [[Cotton (motorcycle)|Cotton]] managed to finish in 5th place in the 1922 Junior TT Race. In the 1922 Senior TT Race, Alex Bennett riding a Sunbeam motor-cycle led all 6 laps from start to finish to win from [[Walter Brandish]] riding a Triumph. | The 1920 Junior TT Race included for the first time a new Lightweight class for motor-cycles of 250cc engine capacity. The Lighweight class of the 1920 Junior TT race was won by R.O Clarke riding a [[Levis (motorcycle)|Levis]] and he may have won the event overall but crashed at the 33rd Milestone on the last lap, finishing fourth overall. The 1921 Senior TT race was won by Howard Davies riding a 350cc Junior TT Race motor-cycle by a margin of 2 minutes and 3 seconds from Freddie Dixon and [[Hubert Le Vack]]. For 1922 the ACU introduced for 250cc motor-cycle a [[Lightweight TT]] race and the first winner was [[Geoff S.Davison]] riding a Levis motor-cycle at an average race speed of 49.89. The 1922 Junior TT Race was won by local Isle of Man competitor [[Tom M.Sheard]] riding an AJS motor-cycle at an average race speed of 54.75 mph. Despite crashing twice, a broken exhaust and a fire in the [[pits]], [[Stanley Woods]] riding a [[Cotton (motorcycle)|Cotton]] managed to finish in 5th place in the 1922 Junior TT Race. In the 1922 Senior TT Race, Alex Bennett riding a Sunbeam motor-cycle led all 6 laps from start to finish to win from [[Walter Brandish]] riding a Triumph. | ||
More changes to the course followed in 1923 with the adoption of a private road between Parliament Square and May Hill in Ramsey. The course had previously had negotiated Albert Road and Tower Road in Ramsey and the new course length was now 37.739 miles.<ref>Offical TT Guide 1992 page 45 - Revised to 37.733 miles in 1938</ref> Part of the [[Snaefell mountain course]] was named 'Brandish' after [[Walter Brandish]] crashed at a corner between Creg-ny-Baa and Hillberry and broke a leg. The first [[Side-Car TT]] race was held in 1923 over 3 laps (113 miles) of the TT course and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Perry with a special [[Douglas]] banking-sidecar average race speed of 53.15 mph. The Senior TT Race of 1923 was held in poor weather and local course knowledge allowed local Isle of Man competitor Tom Sheard riding a [[Douglas]] motor-cycle to win his second TT Race to add to his first win in the 1922 Junior TT Race on an AJS motor-cycle. Another first-time winner of a TT race in 1923 was Stanley Woods riding to victory in the Junior TT Race on a [[Cotton (motorcycle)|Cotton]]. | More changes to the course followed in 1923 with the adoption of a private road between Parliament Square and May Hill in Ramsey. The course had previously had negotiated Albert Road and Tower Road in Ramsey and the new course length was now 37.739 miles.<ref>Offical TT Guide 1992 page 45 - Revised to 37.733 miles in 1938</ref> Part of the [[Snaefell mountain course]] was named 'Brandish' after [[Walter Brandish]] crashed at a corner between Creg-ny-Baa and Hillberry and broke a leg. The first [[Side-Car TT]] race was held in 1923 over 3 laps (113 miles) of the TT course and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Perry with a special [[Douglas]] banking-sidecar average race speed of 53.15 mph. The Senior TT Race of 1923 was held in poor weather and local course knowledge allowed local Isle of Man competitor Tom Sheard riding a [[Douglas]] motor-cycle to win his second TT Race to add to his first win in the 1922 Junior TT Race on an AJS motor-cycle. Another first-time winner of a TT race in 1923 was Stanley Woods riding to victory in the Junior TT Race on a [[Cotton (motorcycle)|Cotton]]. | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
The 1930s was a decade which the TT Races became the predominant motorcycling event in the racing calander and perhaps seen as the classic-era of racing in the [[Isle of Man]]. A number of changes occurred to the [[Snaefell mountain course|Mountain Course]] during the 1930s with extensive road widening on the A18 Mountain Road and the removal of the hump-back bridge at [[Ballig]] for the 1935 racing season in the Isle of Man. | The 1930s was a decade which the TT Races became the predominant motorcycling event in the racing calander and perhaps seen as the classic-era of racing in the [[Isle of Man]]. A number of changes occurred to the [[Snaefell mountain course|Mountain Course]] during the 1930s with extensive road widening on the A18 Mountain Road and the removal of the hump-back bridge at [[Ballig]] for the 1935 racing season in the Isle of Man. | ||
The 1930s produced a number of changes for the Isle of Man TT Races in which the event became more commercialized. The George Formby film No Limit (1936 film) used the [[1935 Isle of Man TT]] races as a backdrop for filming. Also, the 1930s was increasingly used by the motorcycle manufacturers to show-case their products by racing at the Isle of Man TT Races. As a result, the 1930s produced an increased pace of motor-cycle development with the introduction of over-head camshaft engines, plunger rear-suspension and telescopic front-forks. These technological improvements where played-out by the different British motor-cycle manufacturers such as [[AJS]], [[Rudge-Whitworth (motorcycles)|Rudge]], [[Sunbeam]] and [[Velocette]] gradually being eclipsed by the pre-eminence of the works Nortons. Increasing interest by foreign manufactures in the 1930s produced works entries from [[BMW]], [[DKW]], [[NSU]], [[Bianchi]] and [[Moto Guzzi]] at the Isle of Man TT Races. Increased professionalism by the TT riders during the 1930s was the reason for [[Stanley Woods]] parting with Norton motor-cycles, despite the winning of four TT Races in 2 years, over the issue of prize money and joined [[Husqvarna]] and later riding for [[Moto Guzzi]] and [[Velocette]]. | The 1930s produced a number of changes for the Isle of Man TT Races in which the event became more commercialized. The George Formby film No Limit (1936 film) used the [[1935 Isle of Man TT]] races as a backdrop for filming. Also, the 1930s was increasingly used by the motorcycle manufacturers to show-case their products by racing at the Isle of Man TT Races. As a result, the 1930s produced an increased pace of motor-cycle development with the introduction of over-head camshaft engines, [[plunger rear-suspension]] and [[telescopic front-forks]]. These technological improvements where played-out by the different British motor-cycle manufacturers such as [[AJS]], [[Rudge-Whitworth (motorcycles)|Rudge]], [[Sunbeam]] and [[Velocette]] gradually being eclipsed by the pre-eminence of the works Nortons. Increasing interest by foreign manufactures in the 1930s produced works entries from [[BMW]], [[DKW]], [[NSU]], [[Bianchi]] and [[Moto Guzzi]] at the Isle of Man TT Races. Increased professionalism by the TT riders during the 1930s was the reason for [[Stanley Woods]] parting with Norton motor-cycles, despite the winning of four TT Races in 2 years, over the issue of prize money and joined [[Husqvarna]] and later riding for [[Moto Guzzi]] and [[Velocette]]. | ||
The 1930 Senior TT Race was won by Rudge with [[Wal Handley]] becoming the first TT rider to win in all three major TT Race classes and the first lap under 30 minutes of the Mountain Course. The 1931 TT Race meeting was again dominated by the battle between Rudge and Norton motor-cycles. The 1931 Senior TT Race provided Tim Hunt with a popular Junior/Senior double win and also produced the first 80 mph lap by Jimmy Simpson on a Norton motor-cycle. | The 1930 Senior TT Race was won by Rudge with [[Wal Handley]] becoming the first TT rider to win in all three major TT Race classes and the first lap under 30 minutes of the Mountain Course. The 1931 TT Race meeting was again dominated by the battle between Rudge and Norton motor-cycles. The 1931 Senior TT Race provided Tim Hunt with a popular Junior/Senior double win and also produced the first 80 mph lap by Jimmy Simpson on a Norton motor-cycle. | ||
| Line 55: | Line 55: | ||
The 1950's may be seen as a decade when the course and race changes the Isle of Man TT Races evolved into the motor-cycle event that occurs today. Perhaps seen as the 'golden-era,' the 1950's for the Isle of Man TT Races mirrored changes in the motor-cycling industry and motor-cycling technology and the increasing globalization of not only of motor-cycle racing, but also of the motor-cycle industry. As with the 1930's, the period from 1947 to 1959 the dominance of the British motor-cycle industry was gradually eroded by increased European competition. Again through the 1950's this was played-out through increased technological change. The introduction of the [[Featherbed Frame]] or the abortive [[Norton Kneeler]] concept by the works [[Norton]] team it was not sufficient to challenge the multi-cyclinder European motor-cycles from [[Gilera]] and [[Moto Guzzi]]. Financial problems led to the demise of the Norton team and along with other traditional British motor-cycle manufacturers [[AJS]], [[BSA]], [[Matchless]] and [[Velocette]] where replaced by European competition from [[Česká Zbrojovka Strakonice|CZ]], [[DKW]], [[Ducati]], [[Mondial]], [[MV Agusta]] and [[NSU Motorenwerke AG|NSU]] at the Isle of Man TT Races. By the end of the 1950's, the East Germany motor-cycle firm [[MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk|MZ]] used the Isle of Man TT Races to improve their [[Walter Kaaden]] designed two-stoke technology. The [[1959 Isle of Man TT]] Race was the first race for the fledgling Japanese [[Honda]] team when [[Naomi Taniguchi]] finished in 6th place in the 1959 125cc Ultra-Lightweight TT Race on the [[Clypse Course]] at an average race speed of 68.29 mph. | The 1950's may be seen as a decade when the course and race changes the Isle of Man TT Races evolved into the motor-cycle event that occurs today. Perhaps seen as the 'golden-era,' the 1950's for the Isle of Man TT Races mirrored changes in the motor-cycling industry and motor-cycling technology and the increasing globalization of not only of motor-cycle racing, but also of the motor-cycle industry. As with the 1930's, the period from 1947 to 1959 the dominance of the British motor-cycle industry was gradually eroded by increased European competition. Again through the 1950's this was played-out through increased technological change. The introduction of the [[Featherbed Frame]] or the abortive [[Norton Kneeler]] concept by the works [[Norton]] team it was not sufficient to challenge the multi-cyclinder European motor-cycles from [[Gilera]] and [[Moto Guzzi]]. Financial problems led to the demise of the Norton team and along with other traditional British motor-cycle manufacturers [[AJS]], [[BSA]], [[Matchless]] and [[Velocette]] where replaced by European competition from [[Česká Zbrojovka Strakonice|CZ]], [[DKW]], [[Ducati]], [[Mondial]], [[MV Agusta]] and [[NSU Motorenwerke AG|NSU]] at the Isle of Man TT Races. By the end of the 1950's, the East Germany motor-cycle firm [[MZ Motorrad- und Zweiradwerk|MZ]] used the Isle of Man TT Races to improve their [[Walter Kaaden]] designed two-stoke technology. The [[1959 Isle of Man TT]] Race was the first race for the fledgling Japanese [[Honda]] team when [[Naomi Taniguchi]] finished in 6th place in the 1959 125cc Ultra-Lightweight TT Race on the [[Clypse Course]] at an average race speed of 68.29 mph. | ||
Pre-war, the Isle of Man TT Races was seen as the preserve of British, Irish and Commonwealth competitors. This strangle-hold was first broken by [[Omobono Tennni]] as the first foreign winner in 1937. As the Isle of Man TT Races became a World Championship event in 1947, the post-war period produced race wins from European competitors such as [[Carlo Ubbiali]] and [[Tarquinio Provini]]. The first New Zealand winner was [[Rod Coleman]] in 1954 and first competitor from Southern Rhodesia was [[Ray Amm]] when he raced at the [[1951 Isle of Man TT]] Races. Despite a win by [[Eric Oliver]] at the first post war [[Sidecar TT]] race, this also became dominated by German and Swiss competitors such as [[Walter Schneider]], [[Fitz Hillebrand]] and [[Helmut Fath]]. For the [[Senior TT]] Race this was still dominated by new British TT competitors, [[Geoff Duke]] winning the 1955 Senior TT Race, [[John Surtees]] riding for [[MV Agusta]] and [[Bob | Pre-war, the Isle of Man TT Races was seen as the preserve of British, Irish and Commonwealth competitors. This strangle-hold was first broken by [[Omobono Tennni]] as the first foreign winner in 1937. As the Isle of Man TT Races became a World Championship event in 1947, the post-war period produced race wins from European competitors such as [[Carlo Ubbiali]] and [[Tarquinio Provini]]. The first New Zealand winner was [[Rod Coleman]] in 1954 and first competitor from Southern Rhodesia was [[Ray Amm]] when he raced at the [[1951 Isle of Man TT]] Races. Despite a win by [[Eric Oliver]] at the first post war [[Sidecar TT]] race, this also became dominated by German and Swiss competitors such as [[Walter Schneider]], [[Fitz Hillebrand]] and [[Helmut Fath]]. For the [[Senior TT]] Race this was still dominated by new British TT competitors, [[Geoff Duke]] winning the 1955 Senior TT Race, [[John Surtees]] riding for [[MV Agusta]] and [[Bob McIntire]] in the [[1957 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1957]] the Isle of Man TT races were headlined when he recorded the first 100 [[Miles per hour|mph]] (161 [[Kilometres per hour|km/h]]) lap, riding for [[Gilera]] motor-cycles. | ||
From [[1949 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1949]] to [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1976]] the race was part of the [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship]] and was the home of the British Grand Prix. The event came under increasing scrutiny due to safety concerns despite efforts by the [[AutoCycle Union|ACU]] to retain its world championship status. When Italian rider Gilberto Parlotti was killed during the 1972 TT, his close friend and the reigning world champion [[Giacomo Agostini]], announced that he would never again race on the Isle of Man. More riders joined Agostini's boycott and by the [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1976]] season, only a handful of serious Grand Prix riders were among the entrants. Shortly after the 1976 TT, the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] made the long-anticipated announcement. The TT, once the most prestigious race on the Grand Prix calendar, was stripped of its world championship status. The Grand Prix action was moved to the UK with the [[1977 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1977]] [[British motorcycle Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]] being held at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]]. | From [[1949 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1949]] to [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1976]] the race was part of the [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|Motorcycle Grand Prix World Championship]] and was the home of the British Grand Prix. The event came under increasing scrutiny due to safety concerns despite efforts by the [[AutoCycle Union|ACU]] to retain its world championship status. When Italian rider Gilberto Parlotti was killed during the 1972 TT, his close friend and the reigning world champion [[Giacomo Agostini]], announced that he would never again race on the Isle of Man. More riders joined Agostini's boycott and by the [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1976]] season, only a handful of serious Grand Prix riders were among the entrants. Shortly after the 1976 TT, the [[Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme|FIM]] made the long-anticipated announcement. The TT, once the most prestigious race on the Grand Prix calendar, was stripped of its world championship status. The Grand Prix action was moved to the UK with the [[1977 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1977]] [[British motorcycle Grand Prix|British Grand Prix]] being held at [[Silverstone Circuit|Silverstone]]. | ||
| Line 109: | Line 109: | ||
|4 | |4 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Adrian Archibald]], [[Ian Simpson (motorcycle racer)|Ian Simpson]], [[Simon Beck]], [[Carl Fogarty]], [[Ray Amm]], [[Luigi Taveri]], [[Tom Herron]], [[Bob | |[[Adrian Archibald]], [[Ian Simpson (motorcycle racer)|Ian Simpson]], [[Simon Beck]], [[Carl Fogarty]], [[Ray Amm]], [[Luigi Taveri]], [[Tom Herron]], [[Bob McIntire]], [[Tony Jefferies]], [[Alan Jackson jnr]], [[Alex George (motorcycle racer)|Alex George]], [[Dave Morris (motorcycle racer)|Dave Morris]], [[Rob McElnea]], [[Graeme Crosby]], [[Harold Daniell]], [[Phil Mellor]], [[Barry Woodland]], [[Barry Smith (motorcycle racer)|Barry Smith]], [[Rolf Steinhausen]], [[Walter Schneider]], [[Max Deubel]], [[Nick Crowe (motorcycle racer)|Nick Crowe]] | ||
|3 | |3 | ||
|- | |- | ||