MOTOR-CYCLE RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22447, 17 June 1936, Page 13

MOTOR-CYCLE RACE

JUNIOR TOURIST TROPHY RECORD BY F. L. FRITH British Wireless RUGBY. June 15 The Junior International Tourist Trophy race, over a course of 264 miles, on the Isle of Man, was won to-day by F. L. Frith, driving a Norton, in 3 hours 17 minutes 6 seconds, with an average speed of 80.14 miles an hour. White, on another Norton, was second, with an average speed of 77.97, and E. A. Mellers, on a Velocette, was third, his average speed being 77.91. James Guthrie, winner for the last two years, was disqualified after leading for four laps, but the disqualification was cancelled after evidence had been heard. He broke Jiis own lap record of 80.11 miles an hour, which was also beaten by Frith, who set a new lap record of 81.94 miles an hour. Frith s winning total time broke Guthrie's previous record by 2 minutes 28 seconds. The value of the second prize, £7O, which Guthrie probably would have won, was awarded to Norton's, who won the team prize.

The original Tourist Trophy was presented to the Auto-Cycle Union by the Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars, a pioneer enthusiast who assisted in the early development of the motor-cycle. The trophy was first competed for in 1907 on the Isle of Man over a shorter and less arduous course than the present one. There were separate classes for single and twin cylinder machines limited to a petrol consumption of 90 and 75 miles to the gallon respectively. Similar conditions ruled in 1908, but in 1909 the petrol restriction was dropped. In that year pedalling gear was barred for the first time. The course was lengthened in 1911 t-o include a climb over Snaefejl Mountain, and a lightweight event was introduced for single cylinder engines under 300 c.c. and for twin cylinder engines under 350 c.c. capacity. These arrangements marked the origin of the junior and senior events. In 1913 a further innovation was tried, and each race was continued over two days, but in 1914 a reversion to one-day races was made. No further races were held until 1920, and in 1922 the lightweight race was instituted for engine capacities of 250 c.c. and under. In 1923 and the two following years side-car races were included, but that class was abolished in 1926. In 1925 and 1926 a race was instituted for machines up to 175 c.c. engine capacity, but that class,. described as " ultra-lightweight," has since been dropped lest it should encourage the wrong development of such small engines. In 1932 the course was lapped at more than 80 miles an hour for the first time and the average speed in 1935 was more than 84 miles an hour. The distance of the Tourist Trophy course is 264 miles, seven laps of 37J miles each. The difference between the highest and the lowest parts of the course is 1356 feet.