1957 Junior TT

Course name: Mountain (post 1914)

Course length: 264.25 miles (7 laps)

Description: Race report from the IOM Weekly Times 7 June 1957, pp 6-7, below which is a full list of competitors:

McIntyre Wins Junior TT
2Hrs.46Mins.50.2 Secs- Average Speed 94.99 m.p.h

Previous race record beaten- despite minute stop to change plug
Drama Packed Race of Surprises
Hartle and Dale skid on oil at Quarry bends
Record Lap of 97.42 m.p.h goes to McIntyre from standing start

Bob McIntyre (Gilera) won the junior T.T on Monday in the record time of 2hrs. 46 mins. 50.2 secs- average speed 94.99. M.p.h.
Australian Keith Campbell (Guzzi0 was second in 2hrs. 50 mins 29.8 secs., average speed 92.95 m.p.h., and fellow Australian Bob Brown (Gilera) was third in 2 hrs. 51 mins. 38.2 secs., average speed 92.34 m.p.h.
This means that the first three men beat the 1955 race record put up by Bill Lomas, 92.33 m.p.h. It was a race full of drama- no easy road for McIntyre!

First of all he led the race with a record - smashing lap of 23 mins. 14.2 secs., average speed 97.42 m.p.h.
Then at the end of the second lap he stopped to change a plug; at the end of the third he drew in to take in more fuel; then, with other orders out of the race, he “stepped on the gas” to leap into the lead again- and stay there!
Bad luck put John Hartle out of the race. He was probably leading for a short time on the fourth lap when he came off on a patch of oil at Quarry Bends. He suffered cut hands, burns on the back, and abrasions. Dickie Dale (Guzzi) came off on the same patch- which had been caused when the Manx rider Jackie Wood had a spill there (due to a con-rod going through the crank case).
And this was the second bit of bad luck which Dickie Dale, No.1 string for the Guzzi’s, had suffered, because at the end of the third lap he had been stopped for 3 mins, 38 secs. For the removal of a broken windshield; still he went on, although it was obvious that he could never make up the leeway.

The start, Monday.
The island awoke to sunshine on this, teh day of the first Golden Jubilee events, the Junior T.T. Though a sea mist folded itself over Onchan head and the southern end of Douglas Bay, the mountains were clear and the race started on time. Prior to 11am the crowds on the stand looked down on to the pits, where there was hurried but orderly activity.
There were twelve non-starters out of a field of 89.
A last minute non-starter was J.R. Banks (Norton) who bent a valve while warming up.
At 10-30 His Excellency was on the grandstand and the machines were being revved up by the riders. The sea moist was rolling inland, but the mountains were still discernible. There was a haze, but no mention was made of any possible postponement.
The riders came to the starting line preceded by the Boy Scouts bearing flags of the nations. Then at 11am the Lord Bishop sent off the first man G.T. salt (Norton), who was followed by Manxman George Costain (Norton).
The mist was still coming in from the sea, but Ronaldsway reported that the weather would be bright and clear all day on the course, with light and variable winds. A travelling marshal reported light drifting most at the Bungalow, otherwise conditions were good.

First Lap
Brett and Surtees on their way

Particular attention was paid to the departure of Jack Brett (Norton) and John Surtees (M.V.). Starting with one minute 20 seconds between them, this would be a great encounter. Other ‘scraps’ were promised with Ray Fay (Norton) and Bob Brown (Gilera) who started within 30 seconds of each other, and Keith campbell (Guzzi), Codd (Norton), Tanner (Norton) and Alan Trow (Norton), all setting off in the space of half a minute. At the end of the field was Bob McIntyre, whose Gilera whined away in full and healthy song. He was followed by Guzzi rider John Clark, 30 seconds later.
The mist, it was thought, would help riders in diminishing the glare from the sun, which could easily melt the tar and make conditions difficult.

Cosatin First at Ballacraine
Costain was signalled first at Ballacraine, followed by Murphey, the New Zealander, one minute after him. A few seconds later Jack Brett arrived at that point. Brett was certainly ‘moving’ an interesting feature of his machine being the streamlining (manufactured in Peel). Brett was wearing his familiar orange helmet. Costain Murphey and Brett arrived at Kirk Michael within seconds of each other.
John Clark, an official Guzzi works entry, lost valuable seconds at the start. He had to push his machine a considerable way down the road before the engine fired.

First retirement was that of Dave chadwick (Velocette), whose engine seized at the hawthorn Inn.
Jack Brett was putting on the pace, arriving at Ramsey shortly after Costain, who started 1 min.20 secs in front of him. He had passed Murphey between Michael and Ramsey.
From the Mountain Box came the report that Brett was leading on the roads, having passed Costain on the Mountain stretch. He was followed shortly afterwards by John Surtees, who was reported to be well over 30 seconds ahead of Brett, both riders ‘travelling extremely fast and cornering extremely well’.
Salt went through Greeba with his engine misfiring. It was thought that he had stopped between there and Ballacraine. Marshals were sent out to find him. Northwood (Norton) stopped at Handley’s Corner with engine trouble, but proceeded along the course slowly.

Surtees Pulls In
A minor sensation was caused when John Surtees (M.V.) pulled in at his pit at the end of the first lap. It was learned that he had come in for a plug change. This meant he lost a valuable minute in a race where seconds counted.
“Flying Scot’s” lap at 97.42 m.p.h!
Then came the astounding news that from a standing start Bob McIntyre had broken the lap record, completing the lap in 23 mins. 14.2 seconds, a speed of 97.42 m.p.h. This was actually 42 seconds less than the 1954 record of the late Ray Amm and close on three miles an hour faster.
Dickie Dale (Guzzi) had a first lap time of 23 mins. 58 secs (two seconds longer than the 1954 record), while Jack Brett went round in 24 mins. 30 secs.
Three more retirements were announced - F. wallis (B.S.A) at Ramsey, with engine trouble; J.B. Denton (B.S.A) at Ballacraine with loose streamlining; and G.A. Northwood (norton), who had been experiencing difficulty with his engine finally retired at Kirk Michael.
Leading the quarter of Manx-men was Jackie Wood (norton), who with a time of 25 mins. 25.8 secs, was lying in 11th position. Right behind him only four seconds in arrears, was Denis Christian (AJS). Other Manx-mens’ times were Costain, 26 mins. 11.8 secs; and Capner, 27 mins. 57.8 secs.

Second Lap Dale Takes the lead
Somewhere along the course on this lap McIntyre lost the lead- and Dickie Dale promptly stepped into it! Ginger Hall commentator Eric Teare had reported that both men were driving in immaculate style at that point, BUT that they had come round with only eight seconds between them on time. THAT seemed strange too because of the time lag between their respective starts, because it had to be remembered that the ‘Flying Scot’ had 44 seconds in his favour when they both started out on their second lap. It looked too, as though Hartle had pulled another ‘horse’ out of his engine. Somehow, or other he finished in second place, relegating Bob Mcintyre to third- by two seconds.

It was later announced that Hartle had reached Ballacraine before Bob.
G.T. Salt (Norton) retired at Appledene with engine trouble and R. Ferguson (A.J.S) retired at Creg- ny- Baa. V.T. Williams (Norton) went out of the race with engine trouble at Keppel Gate, also J.D. Anderson, the New Zealander, on an A.J.S., at Bedstead Corner. The petrol tank was damaged but Anderson was said to be OK.
At the end of this lap, the ‘Flying Scot’ pulled in at the pits.
To say this was a surprise is to put it mildly. Officials crowded round his machine and he lost important seconds before pushing off again.
What was the matter? He has to change a plug!
This was the second Italian machine to make this change and it appeared as if the four-cylinder foreign jobs had to contend with in opposition to the single-cylinder British machines.

Manxman in 12th Place
Jackie Wood went to 12th position with growing time of 50 mins 37 secs., just 22 seconds behind John Surtees. Dennis Chistian, 50 mins. 58.6 secs, was going well, and George Costain, 52 mins. 12.8 secs, continued to lap steadily. Roy Capner had a growing time of 55 mins. 25.6 secs.

Third Lap Sensations
Dale Loses 3.5 minutes
The leader board was most interesting- it read Guzzi, Norton, Gilera, Norton, Guzzi, Gilera and it was good to see two Commonwealth riders, Campbell and Bob brown, from Australia, in fifth and sixth positions.
Murphy (A.J.S.) was in seventh position and Geoff Tanner, MGP double winner, was eighth; Surtees had been relegated to 10th place and about this time, D.T. Powell retired at Barregarrow.
Then another sensation! Leading man, Dickie Dale, stopped at the pits and the scrutineer made him remove a broken windshield.
This cost Dale 3 mins. 38 secs. Dale’s lead over Hartle had only been a mere 31 seconds. Dale’s delay would alter the leader board in the next lap, because it would be impossible for him to make up three-and-a-half minutes.
A number of riders pulled in for fuel at the end of this lap and some fast work was the order of the day.
Jack Brett’s mechanic completed the operation in 20 seconds and it was noted that Hartle streaked through while McIntyre was still being filled up, because in addition to his involuntary stop for a change of plug at the end of the third. ‘Why, oh why,’ said a commentator, ‘did he not do both jobs at the one time?’ Alastair King was coasting in from in from Hillberry, but eventually retired at Governor’s Bridge, while Setaro retired on the Verandah with engine trouble.
A.King (Norton) retired at Governor’s Bridge, and E.A. Laving (Velocette) stopped at Ballacraine with engine trouble.
With these and other retirements only one manufacturers’ team-that of the Guzzi’s- was left in the race.

Jackie Wood in 11th Place
Times of the local riders were:Jackie Wood (11th), 1hr.15 mins 57 secs.; Dennis Christian, 1hr 16 mins. 23 secs; George Costain, 1 hr 18 mins 13.2 secs; and Roy Capner, 1 hr. 23 mins. 10 secs.

Brett and Hartle Out of Race
Fourth Lap Sensations
Phew!
More news! None of it good for the Norton stable. First of all Jack Brett, one of the ‘home hopes’ retired between the Guthrie Memorial and the Mountain Box. The rider was OK.
Once more, the ill-luck which seems to follow the TT career of the brilliant Leeds rider seemed to have taken its toll.
The speed of the pace makers seemed to be cracking up the ‘field’. Too. Australian R. Barker (Norton) retired at Kirk Michael with a broken chain, and it was noticed that Surtees (M.V.) was doing some fast motoring. He moved up steadily, being followed on time by Geoff Tanner (Norton), Murphy (A.J.S) and Eric Hinton (Norton), another commonwealth rider.
And spectators had time to notice all these things before a suspicion became a certainty.
John Hartle’s number had stayed far too long at Ballacraine- which meant that he had not been checked in at Michael. For the moment there was no news of the trouble which had defeated his chances, but defeated they were.
And so, at the end of this lap McIntyre came into his own again to lead the field (after two pit stops!) with Australian Keith Campbell following and Mac’s team mate, Bob Brown in third place. What a race of the thrills!

Dale and Hartle off Norton Rider Hurt
An unfortunate accident occurred at the Quarry Bend when Manxman Jackie Wood experienced engine trouble. The conrod went through the crankshaft and a certain amount of oil spilled onto the road. The yellow flag was shown, but two of the keading riders, Dickie Dale and John Hartle, skidded on the oil and came off. Dale was said to be all right, but a doctor was in attendance on Hartle, who had cut hands and abrasions and burns on his back.
Dennis Christian continued to lap confidently. His aggregate time for four laps was 1 hr. 42 mins. 2 secs. George Costain, 1 hr. 45 mins. 1.6 seconds; and Roy Capner, 1 hr, 52 mins. 08 secs were still riding well.

Commonwealth to Fore in Fifth Lap
There were now six men on the leader board on five different machines- and there were three Australians and one New Zealand rider, which showed the consistent skill of these Commonwealth boys. McIntyre, in the lead, was riding superbly, while Keith Campbell, on his Guzzi, was described as ‘absolutely meteoric’. His fellow countryman, Bob Brown, on the second Gilera, lay in third position, and he was being strongly challenged by John Surtees, who was making up leeway in no uncertain way. It was now reported that Brett (Norton) had retired with engine trouble.

Dale retires
The leader board was settling down, although there was a change in fifth and sixth men, when Eric Hinton (son of Australian Harry) moved into fifth place, putting New Zealander George Murphy sixth.
McIntyre, now the undisputed leader, was thrilling the thousands of spectators with his brilliant and steady riding. He seemed to make cornering an effortless procedure while his high speed velocity on the straights was something unbelievable.
Dickie Dale was announced officially as having retired with Hartle and Woods; another retirement was that of P.A. Davey (B.S.A.) He stopped at Ramsey with a seized engine.
The number of retirements so far totalled 19 and left five out of 11 club teams.
A.R Capner pulled in at Ballacraine and retired: driver OK. B.H. King called it a day at Signpost.
Dennis Christian improved his position and now lay 10th, in 2hrs. 7 mins. 35.4 secs.
Costain’s time for the five laps was 2 hr. 11 mins. 22.4 secs.

Sixth Lap
McIntyre leads in sixth lap
McIntyre’s overall speed for six laps was 94.85 miles an hour, two miles an hour in excess of the record average in 1955, and .24m.p.h faster than Ray Amm’s lap record of 23 mins 56 secs, a speed of 94.61 m.p.h, set up in 1954.
He led the field, therefore, with a margin to spare- there seemed to be nothing on teh course to equal the ‘Flying Scotsman’.
Both Christain and Costain were riding beautifully and they completed six laps in 2 hrs. 32 mins. 58.4 secs, and 2 hrs. 37 mins. 54 secs respectively.

McIntyre Beats the Field
McIntyre set out on his last lap well ahead of the field. His riding at Ballacraine, Michael, Sulby and Ramsey was of the highest order, and it seemed that nothing could hold Bob McIntyre, who was speeding to a junior victory- and a very worthy winner indeed!
Surtees was first on the road, and he was signalled at the Mountain Box, McIntyre was on his way up the long mountain climb. Campbell and Brown were battling on in their private ‘war’ though they were said to be slower than McIntyre and Surtees at Ginger Hall and at Ramsey.
As Surtees flashed over the line, McIntyre was on the Mountain. Then into the its came second and third men, Campbell and Brown, and their achievements were applauded by the crowd on the grandstand.

All eyes were turned on McIntyre’s position clock as he swept down the mountain at a fantastic speed. The crowd waited anxiously as he passed Hillberry and then the light went up over his number.
The crowd waited tensely to applaud the wonderful ride by an outstanding rider, who learned his apprenticeship on the TT course in the Manx Grand Prix, in which he won one event, and was second in another.
And then he came over the line.
There was no manufacturer’s team award.
McIntyre said he did not know really what to say about his win, but the machine went very well, except for when he had to change a plug, but all credit must go to the Gilera firm.

The Finish
Of the 77 riders who started, 53 finished the course- 26 gained first-class replicas and further 23 won second-class replicas. The club team award went to the B.M.C.R.C trio of Bob McIntyre, John Surtees and Arthur Wheeler. No manufacturers’ team finished intact.

Big Ovation for ‘Mac’ at the Villa
Thousands of admirers gave Bob McIntyre a tremendous ovation at the Villa Marina at night as he stepped forward to receive the trophy from Deemster Sir Percy Cowley.
‘Mac’, quite overwhelmed with the applause, could hardly be heard as he spoke into the microphone, but he thanked the Gilera form and the mechanics who had helped him to gain victory.
In particular he thanked Geoff Duke for his assistance, and this reference to the maestro delighted the crowd who had heard Bob Brown, third man home on a Gilera say, “From the bottom of my heart I want to thank Geoff Duke for all he has done’.
Even if Geoff was not racing, his presence and his guidance dominated the evening’s proceedings, which took place in the royal Hall owing to the rain.

Royal Telegrams
Mr Norman Dixon, in welcoming Sir Percy, said that two telegrams had been received from Buckingham Palace that day.
One was from the Queen, sending her good wishes to th riders, officials and all motorcyclists attending the Golden Jubilee TT Races. The other was from Prince Philip, patron of the Auto-Cycle Union, who sent his best wishes to everyone and his hopes for a successful meeting.
Expressing ihs congratulations to the winner and runners-up, His Honour hoped that those who had not secured replicas would come back to the Island and try again. He had the audience laughing with his inimitable humour, particularly his remark that as motor-cyclists they were exercising their skills and ‘enjoying yourselves at the same time, by the number of pillion passengers I have seen’.As each rider came to collect his trophy there was a full measure of applause, and `manxmen Dennis Christian, 11th man, and George Costain, who finished 16th, were given a special welcome.
Christain was ‘chaired’ to meet the Deemster, and when called upon to give a speech he thanked mr Tom Arter who had sponsored him for the races.
‘This is a smack in the eye for the Press,’ said Dennis, ‘an English paper said that the local boys never rode in these races, but this will show that paper a thing or two.’ Mr Arter voiced his pride in having a Manxman ride his machines.
Second man, Keith Campbell, from Australia, expressed his pleasure that Bob McIntyre had won the event, because after suffering bad luck in the past events he had taken the Junior trophy, ‘and he certainly deserves it’.

Jimmy Simpson Award Too
The winner was also the recipient of a replica of a Jimmy Simpson trophy for his record first lap, and he accepted the club team award on behalf of the B.M.C.R.C., in which team he was joined by John Surtees and Arthur Wheeler.
Presented to the crowd was Sgr. Roberto, one of the principals of the Gilera firm, and the Italian National Anthem was played as he acknowledged the applause of the crowd.

[The Three Ages of Mann!
Passengers disembarking from the steamers at the Victoria Pier have shown great interest in three large display boards which have been placed above the east arcade. They depict a motor-cycle of 1907, a penny-farthing of 1877, and a streamlined motor-cycle of 1957- a fitting reminder of the fact that the Island is celebrating 50 years of TT history.]



Sandford Wins 250 for Mondials
Time:1 h 25m.25.4s
Speed:75.8 m.p.h.
Sammy Miller’s Minor Crash When Leading
Dramatic Finish to Thrilling Race

The start, Wednesday.
The lightweight 250c.c International was won over the Clypse circuit today by C.C. Sandford (Mondial), after a record-shattering ride. His time was 1 hour 25 minutes 25.4 seconds- speed 75.8 m.p.h.
Drama of the event came in the last lap, when Sammy Miller from Belfast came off at Governor’s Bridge after he had been signalled as leading the field at signpost. He was relegated to fifth position after pushing in his machine from the bridge.
Miller’s misfortune let L. Taveri, from Switzerland (M.V.), into second place, and R.Colombo from the same camp was third.
Lap records went from the word ‘go’. The old record of 73.13 m.p.h. Was beaten by many drivers- first of all by Dandford himself in his first lap, but the record to beat all lap records was achieved by Tarquino Provini (Moondial) in 8 minutes 18 seconds- average speed 78 m.p.h.
Unfortunately, Provini had to retire at Parkfield with mechanical trouble on his sixth lap. Ubbialio also packed up for a similar reason.

A strong fresh breeze blew: conditions at the Grandstand were extremely cold, but the clouds were drifting away, leaving patches of blue, and there was a promise of sunshine.
There were 32 starters; 11 of the entrants having withdrawn for one reason or another- including non-arrival on the Island. Included in the list was `John Hartle, injured in the Junior race, and Bob McIntyre, who, it is believed, decided to forgo this race in preparation for the Senior.

The First Three Laps
Precisely at 10 o’clock, the riders set off en masse with a deafening roar that all but split the eardrums. Snaking away in front was the young Belfast rider, Sammy Miller, on a Mondial, followed by Ubbiali (M.V.) and Cecil Sandford (Mondial). At Creg-ny-Baa Sandford had passed Ubbiali, but Miller was still in the lead.
This young Irish rider has been tutored by Artie Bell himself a TT winner, and he did extremely well last year, leading the field in this event until his retirement with engine trouble.

[Spectator Hit
A spectator at Cronk-y-Garroo was taken to hospital after being hit by a 250c.c. machine, ridden by K.W. James, who crashed in the closing stages of the race.She was mrs E.Mason, 23, Raleigh Gardens, London. After an X - ray at Nobles Hospital, Mrs Mason was discharged. She sustained bruises. The rider was uninjured.]

[Meeting of the Stewards
Consternation was caused at the Grandstand when the stewards of teh race were called to attend a special meeting at one o’clock. It was learned that several of the 250 c.c riders protested at being flagged off the course at the end of nine laps, saying they should have been allowed to complete the full distance.
The stewards decided that riders who had completed nine laps and then received the chequered flag in error, should be credited with a tenth lap. The time for this lap was calculated by taking the average of their seconds to ninth lap times.]


Sanford was going great guns. He passed Miller between the 5 ½ mile stone and Hall’s Corner and then roared through the pits followed closely by the bBelfast man and Ubbiali, while the remainder of the riders passed through as the field was stretched out.

On the second lap, Sandford was two lengths ahead of Miller at Creg-ny-Baa, both riders going extremely well. Both were putting in some hectic cornering, though they were riding well within their limits, but Ubbiali was challenging strongly.
The record lap goes!
Provini (Mondial) was not on the first leader board due to a bad start; he was, in fact, way down the field, about 38 seconds behind the leader, but those who knew how he had driven in practice waited. They knew their man!

In the meantime the record lap of 73.13 m.p.h. went with a bang! Sandford started the ball rolling on his first lap- time, 8 mins. 46 secs., speed 73.85 m.p.h. He was driving extremely well, with Sammy Miller clinging to his tail, to return an average of 73.74 m.p.h. (his time by the way was less than a second longer than Sandford’s). Both men appeared to be drawing away from Ubbiali.
It was reported that Rutherford had come off his N.S.U at Ballacoar, but was OK; that Rensen (Velocette) had retired at the pits with engine trouble and that F.E. Heath 9benelli) was stopped at Parkfield.
In the meantime, Provini was getting into his stride, making up for his bad getaway. Driving his Mondial with the one intention of getting his number on to that leader bioard, he ended up the third lap in fourth position.
And this had, in part, been possible because in his second lap he had smashed Sandford’s record- time 8mins. 28.6 secs.; speed, 76.37 m.p.h.
Riding a German N.S.U., Manxman Jacki Wood covered his first lap in 9 mins. 47.6 secs and lay in 13th position.

Second Section
Provini and Ubbiali ‘Pack up’
Tarquino Provini retained his fourth position with four laps completed, and the real duel of speed was between Sandford and Miller. They were some considerable distance ahead of the field; both were driving magnificently, and excitement was rife round the small Clypse circuit, the vantage points of which were ‘crammed’ with spectators.
Sammy Miller hung on to Sandford’s tail- there were only a couple of lengths between them as they battled for supremacy.
Then there was a minor sensation at the grandstand. At the end of his fourth lap Provini streaked ahead of Ubbiali, so for the moment Mondials took the first three positions, with Ubbiali, Taveri and Coombo- all driving M.V.’s in the succeeding positions for the time being- and Provini was cramming on the speed.

In this section he created another record. Those who know the turns, twists and the corners of the Clypse will realise he put up an incredible performance.
Provini’s time was 8 mins 18 secs- speed 78 m.p.h. This was close on five miles an hour faster than the old record put up by Bull Lomas in 1955.
The Italians' triumphant ride, unfortunately, was short lived. In the sixth lap he went out with engine trouble at Parkfield, and Ubbiali had to pick up at the end of the fifth at the pits.

Jacki Wood Retires
Jackie Wood had moved up to 11th place by the end of lap four, but commentator David Lay reported from Creg-ny-Baa that the Manx boy had stopped there and was working on his machine. It appeared, said Mr Lay, that the N.S.U. engine had seized. Wood later succeeded in restarting his machine, but toured into the pits to retire.

Thrilling Finish
The seventh lap passed without any notable event. Sandford and Miller had established a very clear lead over the rest of the field. They had gone through the pits, round Parkfield and up towards Cronk-ny-Mona by the time that the third man came through. As they sped towards Parkfield, Provini was walking back on the pavement to the Grandstand and at this time, Manxman, Jackie Wood toured into the pits, after his retirement.
Sandford and `Miller were still close to each other, as they sped through Hillberry and Creg-ny-Baa. It was absolutely fantastic the way in which Miller tucked in closely behind Sandford, all the way through on the tricky stretch from creg-ny-Baa and the Morney bends. Both were driving superbly, and now in third position was the Swiss rider, Taveri, with Colombo fourth, and the Czecholovakian, Bartos (C.Z.), fifth.
Then, after this moment of the quietude came the news that Sammy Miller had passed Sandford in the eighth lap and so was leading on the road at all events.
It happened below the Creg-ny-Baa. David Lay, able commentator at that point, said that had passed the corner ‘as one man’. Then Miller had gone ahead. Fine strategy this!He had hung on to Sandford’s tail for two thirds of the race and it looked as though he might get the better of his stable-mate. But no! In the ninth lap Sandford passed the Belfast man- but there was absolutely nothing in it. This was going to be a ding-dong race for the last few miles.
At Creg-ny-Baa, with only a few miles to go, Sandford hung on to his marginal lead; at Hillberry it had been Miller’s turn to lead. People dared scarcely to breathe at the grandstands.
Then came the most dramatic and most cruel luck of all. It happened to Miller.\He came off his Mondial. At Cronk-y-Garroo he had led the field again-then it had been announced he was ‘out on his own’- he was still in the lead at the `Signpost. Then came the dramatic news that he had come off at Governors’ Bridge and was pushing his machine.
So Sandford crossed the line the winner.
Miller came walking down the road from Governor’s Bridge pushing his machine into the pits, to be given fifth place. He was greeted by loud cheers for his very fine but unlucky performance. Second, third and fourth men home were Taveri, Colombo and Bartos.

Czechs wins team award
The Club team award went to the Ustredni Automotoclub, consisting of Stastny, F.Bartos and J.Kostir.

Museum’s TT Exhibition
A further feature in connection with this week’s celebrations of the Golden jubilee of the TT Races is a small special exhibition arranged at the Manx Museum.
An interesting collection of early photographs of the races and also of portions of the course showing its state at the time of the early races, has been arranged around the large raised map of the Island, while the various courses used have been clearly marked on the map itself.
‘Vintage’ machines and some riders of earlier days (including Tom Sheard, the Island’s own TT winner) are shown, together with extracts- both humorous and historically interesting-from contemporary newspaper reports of some of the earliest races. Photographs and typical ‘period’ illustrations from early issues of technical journals are displayed, while TT humour always in evidence from the earliest period of the races, is represented by a selection of early TT cartoons.
The material for this exhibition has been drawn not only from the Museum’s own photographic collections, but also from various external sources duly acknowledged.
This exhibition is in no way competitive with the excellent one at the Villa Marina, but is essentially complementary to that, in focussing attention on the historical and local implications of the races, rather than on the technical racing side.
Visitors to the Museum are showing considerable interest in this show, marking the jubilee of this great sporting event which has become such an important part of the Manx scene of the last 50 years. It is planned to leave the exhibition on show throughout the season of the TT Jubilee year.

Provini Wins 125 c.c Race

And sets Up 74.44 m.p.h Record Lap
Time for Race 2 Hrs. 27 Mins. 51 Secs. - speed 73.69 m.p.h.
The Start, Wednesday. Tarquino Provini (Mondial) won the 125 c.c. International over the Clypse circuit this afternoon in 1 hr. 27 mins. 51 secs.- average speed of 73.69 m.p.h. Thus, the race was won at record speed- previous best time was set up by Ubbiali in 1955 at 69.67 m.p.h.
To Provini also went the honour of creating a new record lap for the course, his speed baing 74.44 m.p.h. in spite of of high winds. The old record of 71.65 m.p.h. Set up by Carlo Ubbiali on an M.V. in 1955, went many times.
Today Ubbiali was second man home, with Taveri, third ( both driving M.V.’s). The first six men home all averaged well over the 71 m.p.h. mark.
The cold wind persisted as the 125 c.c. race man came to the starting line- many of them ready to ‘have a go’ at the Clypse for the second time today! Out of the original field of 33, there were 26 starters.
This promised to be a real scrap between the 250 c.c winner, Sandford, and Sammy Miller, the man who was robbed of probable victory by his spill at Governor’s Bridge within an ace of finishing the distance.
The massed start enjoyed its usual impressive moment. The bikes roared away- and it was seen that Miller had snaked into the lead with Taveri close behind and Ubbiali on his tail.
L. Tinker (M.V.) from Canada had a shaky start and last man away was 62-year-old Frank Cope- also astride an M.V. Actually he got away just as Creg-ny-Baa repost=rted that Taveri had beaten the field at that point and was in the lead with Miller and Ubbiali (certainly out for his third consecutive win in this class) on his heels.
As Taveri, Miller, Provini, Ubbiali and Sandford came through with approximately ten miles of the race over, it looked as though it might be anyone’s win. Their engines whined in full song. There was time to notice that F. Purslow had retired at the pits with engine trouble, before it was announced that Taveri had achieved a lap of 9 mins. 6.4 secs. on his first trip- four seconds outside the record.
Then came the first sensation. In the winding tricky second half of the course, Provini had got his Mondial past Taveri and Ubbiali- he was in the lead and had created a lap record time, 8 mins. 41.8 secs.; speed 74.44 m.p.h.

Provini Retains Lead
During the second section of the race, going through after the fifth lap Provini lengthened the distance between himself and Taveri, who in turn was drawing away from Ubbiali. Some distance behind the third man were Miller and Sandford who were having a private battle. On this occasion Sandford was tucking himself in behind miller, and it would appear that they had come to some sort of ‘gentleman’s agreement’ on pacing each other in the respective class.
L.C. Harfield (L.C.H.) turned in to the pits and retired with transmission trouble and R.W.Porter (M.V.) stopped between Creg-na-Baa and Ballacaroon with a seized engine.
A Creg-ny-Baa, commentator David Lay, said that Provini was ‘riding in immaculate style’ and that Taveri, some 15 seconds behind him, and Ubbiali, 20 seconds in arrears, were chasing him hard. Ubbiali was ‘putting his skates on’ in an attempt to catch the first two men.
Provini was out on his own, going on to the sixth lap. And he had established a lead of 600 yards. He was drawing away steadily from Taveri and Ubbiali at Creg-ny-Baa and was obviously out to retrieve his misfortune in the 250 class.
It was noticeable that second and third man were very close together at the end of this lap. In similar fashion to Miller and Sandford, who were lying fourth and fifth.
R.W. Porter (M.V.) was officially announced as retiring at Creg-ny-Baa.

Provini Wins!
There had been excitement when Creg-ny-Baa announced that Ubbiali had passed Taveri on the corner, but that his lead was very slight and this position could change very easily! Manxman, A.R. Capner, walked down to Creg-ny-Baa, his machine having seized up.
In the meantime Provini was cornering beautifully and showing himself the potential master of the race.
Colombo was pulling up to Miller and Sandford, and was a mere six seconds in arrears. Going through the grandstand to start the eighth lap Ubbiali had dropped behind Taveri, who had resumed the second position he had maintained for so long. This was one of the races within a race!
The thrills as a matter of fact were not being provided by Provini’s consistent riding, as the now established leader. They came from the private battle between Ubbiali and Taveri, only separated by two seconds on the one hand., and Sandford, Miller and Comombo on the other, eight seconds separating these three riders. Once agaon at Creg-ny-Baa, Ubbiali passed Taveri. Dave Chadwick retired at Cronk-y-Garoo with engine trouble. The rider was reported to be OK. Ubbiali maintained his second position which he snatched from Taveri at Creg-ny-Baa, but he was still just over half a minute behind the leader at the end of the eighth lap.
Provini kept a steady lead throughout the ninth lap and his progress was of high speed and sureness. Some time later, second man, Ubbiali went flying past the stands with a very healthy sounding engine, and he was now putting some space between himself and Taveri.
Provini was clocked at Hall’s Corner- there was no doubt the race was in his pocket. All eyes were on the scrap which was going on for third place. Taveri was dropping back and Miller and Sandford were doing their best to oust the M.V. rider. Provini was signalled at governor’s and after a very fast and consistent race he received the chequered flag, winner of the Lightweight international 125c.c. race.
Second man home was Ubbiali. The crowds waited anxiously to see which rider would fill the third place.
Taveri, Miller and Sandford were signalled together at Governor’s Bridge, but it was Taveri who flashed over the line, only a yard or two in front of miller and Sandford, who were so close together that a ‘photo-finish’ would settle as to who were fourth and fifth men.

Team Prize for M.V.’s
The M.V. trio of Ubbiali, Taveri and Colombo- the only manufacturers’ team entered- won the team award. No club team finished intact.

Competitors

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