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Spectators awaiting racers at Derby Road, Peel, Motorcycle Race Day, 1909

Date(s): 23 September 1909

Creator(s): Goodwin, George

Scope & Content: The start of the original Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) St John’s Course was at Tynwald Green, St John’s and went along the Peel Road to Ballacraine, turning left, through Ballig Bridge, Laurel Bank, Glen Helen, Creg Willey’s Hill, Cronk-y-Voddy, Barregarrow to Kirk Michael, where machines again turned left toward Peel, through the Devil’s Elbow, Knocksharry and into Peel and back out to Tynwald, a distance of 15 miles 1430 yards.

From 1911 racing switched to the longer and more arduous Mountain course.

The 1909 Senior race was won by Harry Collier, on a Matchless. The Collier brothers, Charlie and Harry, were the founders of Matchless motorcycles. They might also be regarded as the founders of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) itself, for it was they along with the Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars who conceived of the idea of testing road going motorcycles by racing them on the Isle of Man. Charlie made history by winning the first ever TT in 1907, in which race Harry retired. (The first twin cylinder TT race was won by Rem Fowler on a Peugeot-engined Norton, while a Matchless, ridden by its manufacturer Charlie Collier, won the single cylinder race).

Language: eng

Extent: 4 1/2 in x 6 in

Item name: photograph

Collection: Photographic Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: PG/6716

Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT

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