1920 Isle of Man TT

Last updated

1920 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
Date15 & 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
SecretaryT.W. Loughborough
Junior TT
First Cyril Williams, AJS
Second J. A. Watson-Bourne, Blackburne
ThirdJ. 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 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]

Contents

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

Junior TT 350cc race

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

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

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

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

Junior TT 350cc

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

Junior TT 350cc

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.

Flag of the Isle of Man.svg The 9th International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy [11]
Pos#RiderBikeCyl.Junior TT and Lightweight class race classification
LapsTimeSpeedPrizes & Remarks
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Cyril Williams 2¾ hp AJS 349cc154:37.5740.74 mph1st Prize - Winner of Junior Trophy, £40 and a gold medal.
215 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Watson-Bourne2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc154:47.0739.44 mph2nd Prize - £20 and a gold medal.
317 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jack Holroyd2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc154:47.3739.37 mph2nd Prize - £10 and a gold medal.
425 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ronald Clark2¼ hp Levis 247cc154:55.3738.31 mph1st in Lightweight class - Winner of The Motor Cycle Trophy and a gold medal.
532 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eric Longden2¾ hp DOT (348cc JAP)255:11.0236.41 mphFirst twin-cylinder.
627 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg R.W. Loughton2¾ hp Douglas 348cc255:15.5236.34 mph
714 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gus Kuhn 2¼ hp Levis 247cc155:19.3535.43 mph2nd in Lightweight class and a gold medal
820 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harry Prescott2¾ hp AJS 349cc155:55.4631.83 mph
913 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank W. Applebee2¼ hp Levis 247cc156:05.2130.99 mph3rd in Lightweight class. The Nesbit trophy for pluck and endurance.
101 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Sidney Haden2½ hp New Comet (293cc Climax)156:11.3130.48 mph
119 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Percy Dallison3 hp Ivy 349cc156:17.3229.99 mph
DNF12 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A.E. Wills2¾ hp Douglas 348cc23Crashed on lap 4 at Creg-ny-Baa without doing himself any damage.
DNF3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harry Harris2¾ hp AJS 349cc12Retired on lap 3 at Ramsey Hairpin.
DNF6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard R. Davies 2¾ hp AJS 349cc12Retired on lap 3 due to broken exhaust valve just below the Bungalow.
DNF7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eric Williams2¾ hp AJS 349cc12Retired on lap 3, while leading the race, due to broken mainshaft 500 yards from the Bungalow. [12]
DNF11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A.F. Houlberg2¾ hp Wooler 350cc22Retired on lap 3 near Ballacraine due to broken connecting rod. [13]
DNF23 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Pike2¼ hp Diamond 249cc12Retired on lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa due to broken exhaust valve.
DNF19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stan Marks2¾ hp Diamond 349cc11Retired on lap 2 between Braddan and Union Mills, bearings gave out.
DNF2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ossie Wade2¾ hp AJS 349cc10Retired on first lap at Ballaugh due to engine trouble.
DNF5 Flag of the Isle of Man.svg Tom Sheard 2¾ hp AJS 349cc10Retired on first lap at Sulby with valve trouble.
DNF16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg P.J. Enticknapp2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc10Retired on first lap due to sheared key on the flywheel. [14]
DNF18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman Sclater, jun.3 hp Aurora (331cc Dalm) [15] 10Retired on first lap at Hillberry due to broken release valve.
DNF21 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Albert Milner2¾ hp Diamond 349cc10Retired on first lap at Kirkmichael due to a broken valve cup.
DNF28 Flag of Scotland.svg Alfie Alexander2¾ hp Douglas 348cc20Retired on first lap due to engine trouble near Glen Helen
DNS1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg L.W. Clement2½ hp New Comet (293cc Climax)1Was replaced by Sidney Haden.
DNS4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg N.C. Heath2¾ hp AJS 349cc1Collided with marshals during practice, as taken to a hospital and was replaced by the eventual race winner Cyril Williams.
DNS5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg T.H. Haddock2¾ hp AJS 349cc1Crashed during practice at Keppel Gate was taken to hospital. Suffered head injuries.
DNS8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Cowley, Senr.2¾ hp AJS 349cc1Skidded at Governor's Bridge during practicing.
DNS10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg J.H. Dowell2¾ hp Wooler 350cc2
DNS22 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bert Houlding2¾ hp Diamond 349cc1
DNS24 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg F.J. Price2¾ hp Diamond 349cc1
DNS26 Flag of the Isle of Man.svg Jimmy Oates3 hp Aurora (331cc Dalm)1
DNS29 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E. Greenwood2¾ hp Douglas 348cc2
DNS30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg J.S. Clayton2¾ hp Wooler 350cc2
DNS31 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg T.P. Lewis2¼ hp Levis 247cc1
Fastest lap: Eric Williams, 44min. 6sec. 51.36 mph (New record) [16]

Senior TT 500cc final standings

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.

Flag of the Isle of Man.svg The 9th International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy [18]
Pos#RiderBikeCyl.Senior TT race classification
LapsTimeSpeedPrizes & Remarks
166 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tommy de la Hay 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc164:22.2351.79 mph1st Prize - Winner of Senior Trophy, £50 and a gold medal.
256 Flag of the Isle of Man.svg Douglas Brown 3½ hp Norton 490cc164:26.1351.05 mph2nd Prize - £25 and a medal from Manx Motor-Cycle Club.
370 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reg Brown3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc164:32.2749.88 mph3rd Prize - £15 and a medal from Manx Motor-Cycle Club. 1st Private entry.''
467 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman Sclater. jun.3½ hp Norton 490cc164:39.4748.57 mphGold medal.
553 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reuben Harveyson3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc264:40.2548.46 mphGold medal. 1st Twin-cylinder machine.
651 Flag of Scotland.svg Douglas Alexander3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc264:41.2548.30 mphGold medal. 2nd twin-cylinder machine.
757 Ulster Banner.svg Jimmy Shaw3½ hp Norton 490cc164:51.4646.57 mphGold medal.
858 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Noel H. Brown3½ hp Norton 490cc164:54.2446.16 mph
964 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Townshend3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc164:54.2946.148 mph
1063 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lieut. Charlie North3½ hp Norton 490cc165:01.0545.13 mphBroken saddle delayed him in the first lap.
1179 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman Black3½ hp Norton 490cc165:08.2644.06 mphSuffered multiple punctured and belt-stops. Rode last 30 miles with no bearings in the back hub.
1252 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Freddie Dixon 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc265:17.1242.84 mph
1359 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Graham Walker 3½ hp Norton 490cc165:24.5041.83 mph
1476 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Jack Thomas3½ hp Norton 490cc165:53.2138.463 mph
DNF75 Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Capt. Alexander Lindsay, M.B.3½ hp Norton 490cc14Retired on lap 5 near Ballaugh. Engine trouble.
DNF69 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bert le Vack 3½ hp Duzmo 496cc14Fell on lap 5 near Bungalow. Escaped unhurt.
DNF61 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Harold Petty3½ hp Norton 490cc13Dry-skidded on lap 4 at Ramsey. Damaged front fork.
DNF74 Flag of Scotland.svg Alfred Alexander3½ hp Douglas 494cc23Retired at the end of lap 4 in pits, with belt fastener trouble, after taking 1½ hours for lap 3.
DNF54 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bert Houlding3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc23Retired on lap 4. Tyre trouble at Union Mills.
DNF65 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Dance3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc12Retired on lap 3 near Creg-ny-Baa due to broken inlet valve.
DNF62 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Victor Horsman3½ hp Norton 490cc12Toured in at the end lap 3 due to partial engine seizure at Bungalow
DNF55 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vivian Olsson3½ hp Norton 490cc12Crashed on lap 3 at Windy Corner, brake gear fouled chain.
DNF68 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Simister3½ hp Norton 490cc12Retired on lap 3 at Hillberry due to broken piston.
DNF68 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eric Williams 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc12Dry-skidded on lap 3 into a wooden gate at Quarterbridge due to jammed brake. Escaped unhurt.
DNF72 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg E.S. Abram3 hp ABC 400cc21Retired on lap 2. Valve trouble at Crosby.
DNF60 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Howard R. Davies 2¾ hp AJS 349cc11Retired on lap 2. Engine trouble at Kirkmichael.
DNF78 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Reg. Lucas3 hp ABC 400cc20Retired on first lap at Ramsey with broken valve
DNS77 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg S.J. Redmond3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc2Withdraw during preliminary stages.
DNS73 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg A.J. Moffat3½ hp Norton 490cc1Damaged his machine in practice and was unable to find another.
Fastest lap: George Dance, 40min. 43sec. 53.62 mph (New record) [19]

Notes

[22]

Related Research Articles

The 1912 Isle of Man TT races were again held over the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. Several manufacturers complained that the new mountain course was too arduous and threatened to boycott the 1912 races.

The 1921 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Junior 350 cc race took place on Tuesday 14 June and the Senior 500 cc was on Thursday 16 June.

The 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy introduced a new race, within a race, for 250 cc motorcycles called the Lightweight TT, to be run concurrently with the already-established Junior 350 cc that took place on Tuesday 30 May, and Senior 500 cc race on Thursday 1 June.

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References

  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

Sources

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