Beryl Swain

Epithet: TT’s First Solo Woman

Record type: Motorsport Biographies

Biography: Beryl Swain is a legend of the TT. In 1962 at the age of 26 she became the first solo woman to compete, riding in the 50cc race. Beryl completed two laps of the Mountain Circuit aboard an Italian Itom motorcycle to finish 22nd, ahead of some of her male rivals. Confident, she declared her intention to move on to more powerful machines the following year, hopefully contesting the Senior.

Beryl’s racing career however was to be cruelly cut short. The sport’s governing body, FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), withdrew her racing licence on the grounds the sport was not suitable for women. In spite of Beryl’s protests, the decision was upheld. She hung up her leathers, and did not race again.

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Gender: Female

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