TOURIST TROPHY RACE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 145, 22 June 1931, Page 7

TOURIST TROPHY RACE

DARING MOTOR-CYCLISTS NEW RECORDS ESTABLISHED DEATH OF A FAMOUS RIDER [British Official Vireles?.] RUGBY, Juno 19. Speeds considerably exceeding t ose reached in previous years were attained at tho Isle of Man when the Tourist Trophy senior motor cyclo race was contested with the keenest rivalry by 56 competitors, representing entries from nine countries. Circuits of 38 miles had to be covered seven times and included mountain passes, extremely steep gradients, and sharp elbow corners. Fresh, ci re, it rc ords wero established every few minutes, several exceeding <BO miles an hour. Tho foreign machines seemed to bo unable to maintain tho strain of the, pace involved, and tho race resolved into itself into a duel between the homo competitors. It was eventually won by Percy Hunt, on a Norton machine, at an average sped of 77.9 miles an Lour. Norton machines, ridden by Guthrie and Woods, were second and third respectively. Two Rudges, ridden by Nott, and Walker, wcro fourth and fifth. Hunt beat last year’s winning time by over 10 minutes. The event was marred by tho death of F. G. Hicks, one of the most famous riders, whose machine skidded, throw’ing him on his head as ho was making an attempt to overtake tho leaders. Hicks held many world records and took first place in the French Grand Prix two years ago, when British riders won all the prizes. There were also several minor casualties. Tolley (New Zealand) retir'd in tho second lap. Bray (New Zealand) retired in tho fifth with engine trouble. Sir lam Hamilton presented the trophy.