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1920 Isle of Man TT

Summary

The 1920 Isle of Man TT races was the first races to take place following the end of World War I. Official practice sessions started on 31 May with the races taking place on 15 and 17 June 1920.[1]

1920 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
Date 15 & 17 June 1920
Location Douglas, Isle of Man
Course Isle of Man TT Mountain Course
37.75 miles (60.75 km)
Organiser Auto-Cycle Union
Secretary T.W. Loughborough
Junior TT
First Cyril Williams, AJS
Second J. A. Watson-Bourne, Blackburne
Third J. Holroyd, Blackburne
Fastest lap
Eric Williams
44min. 6sec. 51.36 mph New record
Lightweight class
First R. O. Clark, Levis
Second Gus Kuhn, Levis
Third Frank W. Applebee, Levis
Senior TT
First Tommy de la Hay, Sunbeam
Second Duggie Brown, Norton
Third R. Brown, Sunbeam
Fastest lap
George Dance
40min. 43sec. 55.62 mph New record

The 350cc Junior TT race was won by Cyril Williams riding an AJS motor-cycle and the 250cc Lightweight class by R. O. Clark with a Levis machine.[2] The first post-war Senior TT was won by Tommy de la Hay with a 500c Sunbeam bike.[3]

Races edit

Junior TT 350cc race edit

The Junior TT race was initially led by Eric Williams, the winner of the 1914 Junior TT race riding an AJS and set a new Junior lap record of 44 minutes and 6 seconds, an average speed of 51.36 mph. A mechanical retirement for Eric Williams allowed Cyril Williams also riding an AJS to build up an impressive lead of 20 minutes. However, Cyril Williams hit gear-box problems at the Creg-ny-Baa corner on the last lap and free-wheeled and pushed to the finish-line located at the Nobles Park playing fields in the town of Douglas.[4] The winning margin for Williams was 9 minutes and 50 seconds from Jack Watson-Bourne, riding for Blackburne motorcycles in 4 hours, 37 minutes and 57 seconds, at an average race speed of 40.74 mph.

Lightweight TT 250cc race edit

The Lightweight class within Junior TT race was won by R. O. Clark riding a Levis and he may have won the event overall but was thrown from his Levis motor-cycle at the Creg-ny-Baa after a puncture on the last lap. After completing the race on a bent front wheel-rim he was detained in Nobles Hospital after the race with physical exhaustion.[5]

Senior TT 500 race edit

The Senior TT race was won by Tommy de la Hay riding a Sunbeam at an average race speed of 51.79 mph from local Isle of Man competitor Duggie Brown riding a Norton. A new lap record was set by George Dance riding a Sunbeam of 40 minutes and 43 seconds, an average speed of 55.62 mph. AJS thought they could repeat the success of the 1914 Junior TT with a newly developed 2.75 hp (2.05 kW) ohv-engined machine.[6] While Cyril Williams won the Junior race for AJS, H. R. Davies, also on the AJS team, retired from both races with engine trouble.[7]

Race awards and classes edit

The 1920 Junior TT race included for the first time a new Lightweight TT class for motorcycles of 250 cc engine capacity. R. O. Clark riding for the Levis marque finished in 4th place overall and was within the 30 minute limit for The Motor Cycle Cup Trophy for the smaller 250cc motor-cycles.[8]

Race results edit

Junior TT 350cc edit

Held on 15 June 1920, at 9:30 am over a distance of 188.75  miles (5 laps of 37.75 miles each)[additional citation(s) needed], limited to machines of cylinder capacity not exceeding 350cc., with a class for 250 cc. engines run concurrently for The Motor Cycle cup.[9] Out of 32 entries, comprising 8 two-strokes, 16 four-stroke Singles, 7 Flat Twins and 1 V Twin, twenty-four started the race and only eleven finished.

Race results edit

Junior TT 350cc edit

Held on June 15, at 9:31 am over a distance of 188.75  miles (5 laps of 37.75 miles each), limited to machines of cylinder capacity not exceeding 350cc., with a class for 250 cc. engines run concurrently for The Motor Cycle cup.[10] Out of 32 entries, comprising 8 two-strokes, 16 four-stroke Singles, 7 Flat Twins and 1 V Twin, twenty-four started the race and only eleven finished.

  The 9th International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy[11]
Pos # Rider Bike Cyl. Junior TT and Lightweight class race classification
Laps Time Speed Prizes & Remarks
1 4   Cyril Williams 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 5 4:37.57 40.74 mph 1st Prize - Winner of Junior Trophy, £40 and a gold medal.
2 15   Jack Watson-Bourne 2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc 1 5 4:47.07 39.44 mph 2nd Prize - £20 and a gold medal.
3 17   Jack Holroyd 2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc 1 5 4:47.37 39.37 mph 2nd Prize - £10 and a gold medal.
4 25   Ronald Clark 2¼ hp Levis 247cc 1 5 4:55.37 38.31 mph 1st in Lightweight class - Winner of The Motor Cycle Trophy and a gold medal.
5 32   Eric Longden 2¾ hp DOT (348cc JAP) 2 5 5:11.02 36.41 mph First twin-cylinder.
6 27   R.W. Loughton 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc 2 5 5:15.52 36.34 mph
7 14   Gus Kuhn 2¼ hp Levis 247cc 1 5 5:19.35 35.43 mph 2nd in Lightweight class and a gold medal
8 20   Harry Prescott 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 5 5:55.46 31.83 mph
9 13   Frank W. Applebee 2¼ hp Levis 247cc 1 5 6:05.21 30.99 mph 3rd in Lightweight class. The Nesbit trophy for pluck and endurance.
10 1   Sidney Haden 2½ hp New Comet (293cc Climax) 1 5 6:11.31 30.48 mph
11 9   Percy Dallison 3 hp Ivy 349cc 1 5 6:17.32 29.99 mph
DNF 12   A.E. Wills 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc 2 3 Crashed on lap 4 at Creg-ny-Baa without doing himself any damage.
DNF 3   Harry Harris 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 2 Retired on lap 3 at Ramsey Hairpin.
DNF 6   Howard R. Davies 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 2 Retired on lap 3 due to broken exhaust valve just below the Bungalow.
DNF 7   Eric Williams 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 2 Retired on lap 3, while leading the race, due to broken mainshaft 500 yards from the Bungalow.[12]
DNF 11   A.F. Houlberg 2¾ hp Wooler 350cc 2 2 Retired on lap 3 near Ballacraine due to broken connecting rod.[13]
DNF 23   Phil Pike 2¼ hp Diamond 249cc 1 2 Retired on lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa due to broken exhaust valve.
DNF 19   Stan Marks 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc 1 1 Retired on lap 2 between Braddan and Union Mills, bearings gave out.
DNF 2   Ossie Wade 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 0 Retired on first lap at Ballaugh due to engine trouble.
DNF 5   Tom Sheard 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 0 Retired on first lap at Sulby with valve trouble.
DNF 16   P.J. Enticknapp 2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc 1 0 Retired on first lap due to sheared key on the flywheel.[14]
DNF 18   Norman Sclater, jun. 3 hp Aurora (331cc Dalm)[15] 1 0 Retired on first lap at Hillberry due to broken release valve.
DNF 21   Albert Milner 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc 1 0 Retired on first lap at Kirkmichael due to a broken valve cup.
DNF 28   Alfie Alexander 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc 2 0 Retired on first lap due to engine trouble near Glen Helen
DNS 1   L.W. Clement 2½ hp New Comet (293cc Climax) 1 Was replaced by Sidney Haden.
DNS 4   N.C. Heath 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 Collided with marshals during practice, as taken to a hospital and was replaced by the eventual race winner Cyril Williams.
DNS 5   T.H. Haddock 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 Crashed during practice at Keppel Gate was taken to hospital. Suffered head injuries.
DNS 8   George Cowley, Senr. 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 Skidded at Governor's Bridge during practicing.
DNS 10   J.H. Dowell 2¾ hp Wooler 350cc 2
DNS 22   Bert Houlding 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc 1
DNS 24   F.J. Price 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc 1
DNS 26   Jimmy Oates 3 hp Aurora (331cc Dalm) 1
DNS 29   E. Greenwood 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc 2
DNS 30   J.S. Clayton 2¾ hp Wooler 350cc 2
DNS 31   T.P. Lewis 2¼ hp Levis 247cc 1
Fastest lap: Eric Williams, 44min. 6sec. 51.36 mph (New record)[16]

Senior TT 500cc final standings edit

Held on June 17, at 9:30 am over a distance of 226.50  miles (6 laps of 37.75 miles each), limited to machines of cylinder capacity not exceeding 500cc.[17] Out of 29 entries, comprising 21 four-stroke singles, 5 V Twins, 3 Flat Twins and no two-strokes. Twenty-seven riders started the race and fourteen finished.

  The 9th International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy[18]
Pos # Rider Bike Cyl. Senior TT race classification
Laps Time Speed Prizes & Remarks
1 66   Tommy de la Hay 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc 1 6 4:22.23 51.79 mph 1st Prize - Winner of Senior Trophy, £50 and a gold medal.
2 56   Douglas Brown 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 4:26.13 51.05 mph 2nd Prize - £25 and a medal from Manx Motor-Cycle Club.
3 70   Reg Brown 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc 1 6 4:32.27 49.88 mph 3rd Prize - £15 and a medal from Manx Motor-Cycle Club. 1st Private entry.''
4 67   Norman Sclater. jun. 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 4:39.47 48.57 mph Gold medal.
5 53   Reuben Harveyson 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc 2 6 4:40.25 48.46 mph Gold medal. 1st Twin-cylinder machine.
6 51   Douglas Alexander 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc 2 6 4:41.25 48.30 mph Gold medal. 2nd twin-cylinder machine.
7 57   Jimmy Shaw 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 4:51.46 46.57 mph Gold medal.
8 58   Noel H. Brown 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 4:54.24 46.16 mph
9 64   Frank Townshend 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc 1 6 4:54.29 46.148 mph
10 63   Lieut. Charlie North 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 5:01.05 45.13 mph Broken saddle delayed him in the first lap.
11 79   Norman Black 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 5:08.26 44.06 mph Suffered multiple punctured and belt-stops. Rode last 30 miles with no bearings in the back hub.
12 52   Freddie Dixon 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc 2 6 5:17.12 42.84 mph
13 59   Graham Walker 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 5:24.50 41.83 mph
14 76   Jack Thomas 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 6 5:53.21 38.463 mph
DNF 75   Capt. Alexander Lindsay, M.B. 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 4 Retired on lap 5 near Ballaugh. Engine trouble.
DNF 69   Bert le Vack 3½ hp Duzmo 496cc 1 4 Fell on lap 5 near Bungalow. Escaped unhurt.
DNF 61   Harold Petty 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 3 Dry-skidded on lap 4 at Ramsey. Damaged front fork.
DNF 74   Alfred Alexander 3½ hp Douglas 494cc 2 3 Retired at the end of lap 4 in pits, with belt fastener trouble, after taking 1½ hours for lap 3.
DNF 54   Bert Houlding 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc 2 3 Retired on lap 4. Tyre trouble at Union Mills.
DNF 65   George Dance 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc 1 2 Retired on lap 3 near Creg-ny-Baa due to broken inlet valve.
DNF 62   Victor Horsman 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 2 Toured in at the end lap 3 due to partial engine seizure at Bungalow
DNF 55   Vivian Olsson 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 2 Crashed on lap 3 at Windy Corner, brake gear fouled chain.
DNF 68   Tom Simister 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 2 Retired on lap 3 at Hillberry due to broken piston.
DNF 68   Eric Williams 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc 1 2 Dry-skidded on lap 3 into a wooden gate at Quarterbridge due to jammed brake. Escaped unhurt.
DNF 72   E.S. Abram 3 hp ABC 400cc 2 1 Retired on lap 2. Valve trouble at Crosby.
DNF 60   Howard R. Davies 2¾ hp AJS 349cc 1 1 Retired on lap 2. Engine trouble at Kirkmichael.
DNF 78   Reg. Lucas 3 hp ABC 400cc 2 0 Retired on first lap at Ramsey with broken valve
DNS 77   S.J. Redmond 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc 2 Withdraw during preliminary stages.
DNS 73   A.J. Moffat 3½ hp Norton 490cc 1 Damaged his machine in practice and was unable to find another.
Fastest lap: George Dance, 40min. 43sec. 53.62 mph (New record)[19]

Notes edit

  • During the first practice session, T.H. Haddock riding an AJS in the Junior race crashed at Keppel Gate.[20] George Cowley crashed at Governor's Bridge and Graham Walker, riding for Norton in the Senior class, hit sheep in the mist on the Snaefell Mountain section.[21]
  • During the Saturday practice D.S. Alexander riding an Indian Scout at number 51 in the Senior turned off the course at Braddan Bridge and rejoined at Hillberry and set a time of 39 minutes and 10 seconds!
  • Prize Money awarded for the Junior race was: 1st place £40, 2nd place £20 and 3rd place £10. A gold finisher's award was made for each competitor completing the race within 30 minutes of the winner. The Motor Cycle magazine Gold Cup was awarded to Eric Williams for setting the fastest lap of 44 minutes and 6 seconds.
  • Prize Money awarded for the Senior race was: 1st place £50, 2nd place £25 and 3rd place £15.

[22]

References edit

  1. ^ Isle of Man Examiner page 2 & 3 "The Motor Cycle Races" Saturday 12 June 1920
  2. ^ Manchester Guardian page 16 Wednesday 16 June 1920
  3. ^ Daily Express page 2 Saturday 19 June 1920
  4. ^ Motor Cycling page 181 THE JUNIOR RACE PROVIDES MANY SURPRISES 23 June 1920
  5. ^ Isle of Man Examiner page 2 "Interesting Race Pairs" Saturday 19 June 1920
  6. ^ "A. J. Stevens & Co. (1914) Ltd". Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009. LocalHistory History of A. J. Stevens & Company (retrieved 13 August 2006)[dead link]
  7. ^ Birmingham Daily Gazette page 3 Wednesday 23 June 1920
  8. ^ Isle of Man Times page 3 T.T. RACES Saturday 19 June 1920
  9. ^ The Motor Cycle page 701 THE JUNIOR TOURIST TROPHY RACE 24 June 1920
  10. ^ The Motor Cycle page 701 THE JUNIOR TOURIST TROPHY RACE 24 June 1920
  11. ^ The Motor Cycle page 638, 10 June 1920
  12. ^ The Motor Cycle page 704 Saturday 24 June 1920
  13. ^ The Motor Cycle page 705 Saturday 24 June 1920
  14. ^ The Motor Cycle page 703 Saturday 24 June 1920
  15. ^ The Motor Cycle page 636 Saturday 10 June 1920
  16. ^ The Motor Cycle page 706 Saturday 24 June 1920
  17. ^ The Motor Cycle page 721 THE SENIOR TOURIST TROPHY RACE 24 June 1920
  18. ^ The Motor Cycle page 721, 24 June 1920
  19. ^ Isle of Man Times page 3 "TT RACES The Junior and Senior. Splendid Wins for AJS and Sunbeam." Saturday 19 June 1920
  20. ^ Ramsey Couier page 3 ACCIDENTS ON THE COURSE Friday 4 June 1920
  21. ^ Peel City Guardian page 7 Saturday 5 June 1920
  22. ^ Isle of Man Examiner page 2 "Motor Cycle Races" Saturday 19 June 1920

External links edit

  • Detailed race results
  • Isle of Man TT winners

Sources edit

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