1959 Junior TT

Course name: Mountain (post 1914)

Course length: 264.25 miles (7 laps)

Description: Race Report from the IOM Weekly Times 5 June 1959, p. 4, below is a full list of competitors:

Surtees Leads All The Way in Junior TT

Hartle-McIntyre Four Laps Duel

THEN FLYING SCOT GOES OUT

JOHN SURTEES, the London rider of an Italian M.V. Agusta on Monday, led all the way to win the International Junior T.T., and get in the first leg of his second Junior and Senior “double” in succession in an effort to emulate the feat of Stanley Woods, who won both races for Nortons in 1932 and 1933.

With Surtees leading the race from the start, spectator interest was largely centred on the great duel between John Hartle and Bob McIntyre, the lap record holder, who managed to separate the two M.V.’s, and then came a sensation at the end of the fourth lap.

Bob McIntyre was out. He retired at the pits after a wonderful effort on his A.J.S. against the faster M.V.’s.
Bob McIntyre’s 1957 lap record of 97.42 m.p.h. was never in danger. Fastest lap was put up by Surtees on his second circuit, in 23 minutes 19 seconds, a speed of 97.08 m.p.h.
The Start, Monday.

With glorious sunshine bathing the hills and a cool breeze tempering its warmth, high speeds were expected and thousands of spectators who had been boarding coaches in Douglas from early morning anticipated exciting tussles among the first men.

This year the star men had been “seeded” to give spectators a clearer idea of who was in the lead. This special placing gave the outstanding riders a clear field ahead, though by the end of the third lap they would be catching up with the tail of the field.

Out of an original field of 76 there were seven non-starters – D.G. Chapman (Norton), R. Venturi (M.V.), a non-arrival; Don McNeill (A.J.S.), injured in practices; G.J. Turner (A.J.S.); W. Spinnler (Norton), a non-arrival; P. Carr (A.J.S.), and T. Scmitz (A.J.S.), another non-arrival.

When the riders warmed up, the National Anthem signified the arrival of the Lieutenant-Governor and Lady Dundas, Announcer, the Rev. R.H. Reid, stated that the Ronaldsway met. report indicated that the wind was west, north-west, visibility was good, but there was a possibility of a light shower. The white clouds were building up over the mountains.

BATTLE OF THE STARS

The maroon fired and Hartle’s M.V. came to life like a well-tuned organ, and thundered away to Bray Hill as Bob Anderson roared away ten seconds later. Third man away was the 500 c.c. Formula 1 winner, Bob McIntyre (A.J.S.), and behind him came maestro Geoff Duke, who calmly pushed his machine and streaked away ahead of John Surtees, on the second powerful M.V. The next man to leave was Australian Bob Brown, who’s engine was slow to fire. A hundred yards from the starting line he tore a piece of rag from the engine which had apparently been sucked into the carburretor intake and threw it to some pit attendants. The engine roared healthily and Bob was away with Dickie Dale, Dave Chadwick and Alastair King following.

At Ballacraine Hartle was signalled shortly before Bob McIntyre, who had passed
Anderson (Norton) on the first leg, and Surtees had overtaken Geoff Duke. The first five were well ahead and Dale had passed Bob Brown, while Terry Shepherd was closing up on Alastair King. The first ten went through the western point as No. 43, Rowbottom (Norton) got away. Hartle was still first man through Ramsey, followed by McIntyre, but Duke had forged ahead of Surtees, and the fifth man on the road was Bob Anderson, with Brown and Dale rather later.

At Sulby Bridge announcer Eric Teare spoke of the phenomenal speeds of the leaders as they went through that point. He stated that on unofficial timing Surtees was 25 seconds up on Hartle. It was Hartle again at the Mountain Box, with McIntyre being chased by Surtees, and when they reached Keppel Gate David Lay reported that Surtees and McIntyre were in very close company and “all the riders are absolutely magnificent.”

Shortly afterwards Hartle, Surtees, McIntyre and Anderson were signalled at Signpost Corner, and the crowds on the Grandstand waited to hear the whine of the M.V.’s. In a few moments their distinctive note was heard and Hartle rocketed through with Surtees not far behind, chased by McIntyre, Anderson and Duke.

A RETIREMENT

Two retirements were reported, Alan Shepherd (A.J.S.), who got as far as Crosby. Hard luck for last year’s Junior M.G.P. winner. The other retirement was Albert Moule (Norton), who stopped at the Highlander with a seized engine. The rider was O.K.

It was later reported that Albert had passed Barregarrow and was obviously continuing.

SURTEES LEADS FROM McINTYRE

When the times went up on the television screens, it was seen that John Surtees was well in the lead with a first lap of 23 mins. 29.6 secs., a speed of 96.36 m.p.h., which was over one mile per hour slower than Bob McIntyre’s 1957 lap record. But the Flying Scotsman, McIntyre, had sandwiched himself between Surtees and Hartle, and was 14 seconds ahead of the second M.V.

But there was very little margin between Hartle and Bob Anderson – a mere two seconds. The Nortons were challenging very strongly.

At Michael it was Hartle, Surtees, Anderson and Duke, who was now sixth man on the leader board, a minute behind Surtees.

Surtees took the lead on the road as well as on the board between Ramsey and the Mountain Box, and sensationally there shortly before Hartle, some way ahead of Anderson and Duke.

Second Lap

From Keppel Gate David Lay gave a wonderful description of the arrival of the leaders – Surtees was first and of course fast, with beautifully controlled riding and not a murmur of trouble from the four-cylinder engine.
McIntyre was but two machine lengths ahead of Hartle, who was trying his best to squeeze past on the drop to Kate’s Cottage. Unofficial timing put him 32 seconds in arrears of the Scotsman.

Fourth man on the road was Bob Anderson, and, lagging behind was Geoff Duke.

In a short while Surtees was signalled at Signpost and then he came through like a meteor. Some distance in arrears was McIntyre, who streaked through about ten machine lengths ahead of Hartle.

TWO MORE RETIREMENTS

Alan Trow (Norton) retired at Sulby Bridge on his lap with a seized engine, while L. Richter (A.J.S.), retired at Handley’s corner also with a sick engine. Both riders were o.k.
It was noticed that Dickie Dale (A.J.S.) was somewhere between Michael and Ramsey and had met with trouble.

Third Lap

While McIntyre was pulling out all stops to keep up with Surtees – and there were only 35 seconds between them – his compatriot, King had forged ahead of Anderson, the Scotsman having lapped in 23 mins. 35 secs to put himself 11 seconds ahead of the Bedford boy.

At Sulby Bridge, Eric Teare said that McIntyre went through to Ginger Hall ahead of Hartle. Anderson was another who looked down at his rear wheel. He was not travelling as fast as on previous laps. Jimmy Buchan (Norton) pulled in at the pits to remove the end of his “megaphone,” and we had news of Dickie Dale. He had retired at Sulby with engine trouble.
Surtees and McIntyre came to Signpost long before Hartle and the leader pulled in, took a drink of water, changed his goggles, filled up and was away just as McIntyre came in two pit places away, but Hartle swept through without stopping, putting him second man on the roads.

There was now two M.V.’s in full chase with “Mac” on their heels. Anderson also pulled in to refuel, and then the helmet with the Red Rose signalled that Geoff Duke had come in for goggle change and replenishments, while Alastair King continued to his fourth lap without stopping.

At this stage there were only four retirements.

Fourth Lap

If Hartle thought there was any advantage to be gained over McIntyre by going through without refuelling, he appears to have lost it when signalled at Ballacraine. Surtees was first there, and Hartle second, but “Mac” had been moving at a brisk pace to the west, and arrived there shortly after Hartle – who was 43 seconds down on him at the end of the third lap.

Meanwhile Surtees was in the lead by 47 seconds, completing his third lap in 23 mins. 21.8 secs., a speed of 96.89 m.p.h. – still outside the record of 97.47 m.p.h. held by McIntyre.
The excitement was building up in the battle between McIntyre and Hartle. The latter went through Michael ahead of McIntyre, but on the long winding road to the Sulby straight, Hartle was taken and it was “Mac” who roared first over Sulby Bridge.

HARTLE – McINTYRE DUEL

The spectators were astounded when Hartle slipped through on the right and passed McIntyre on the Ginger Hall corner, both travelling at a phenomenal rate. The high speeds were taking their toll on the back markers and the hopes of two Colonial riders were dashed by engine trouble.

Paddy Driver (Norton) of South Africa, retired at the pits, while New Zealander Peter Pawson (A.J.S.) stopped at Ballaugh. Another retirement was Ray Fay (Norton), near Sulby.
At noon, Surtees, Anderson and Hartle flashed by the Mountain Box, while David Lay stated that within seconds Surtees would arrive.

He screamed past, plummeted down to Kate’s Cottage, and after a short pause there was the Scotsman McIntyre, leading Hartle by a short gap.

D.J. Beckett (B.S.A.) had his thumb down going through the pits and then came the scream of the M.V. going through. And here a sensation!
Coming down to the pits, Bob McIntyre slowed down and pulled off the course at the end of the pits, just as Hartle pulled in for replenishments.

Another Colonial rider and one of the leading men, Ken Kavanagh (Norton) retired at the pits.

Fifth Lap

McINTYRE OUT

Hard luck McIntyre! It was announced that he had retired at the pits, with a broken bracket on his fairings, leaving the two M.V. power houses dominating the Junior scene. And it was left to Alastair King and his Norton to keep up the Scottish challenge.

And hard luck for fellow Scotsman Jimmy Buchan, who retired at Barregarrow with engine trouble.

And although Scotland was having a tough time, the sixth man, Geoff Duke, was fighting a wonderful battle with Bob Anderson. At the end of the fourth lap Geoff was one second ahead of Anderson, thus moving up to fifth place. By McIntyre’s retirement, he would be lying fourth unless Anderson found more “horses.”

Another Commonwealth retirement J. Findlay (Norton), from Australia, retired at the Highlander, as the official announcer said, “these boys certainly pick some places to stop at.”

While it seemed to be a double M.V. victory, there was still great interest in the men behind Surtees and Hartle. From seventh to twelfth position, there were – Mike Hailwood (Norton), George Catlin, (A.J.S.), Dave Chadwick (Norton), Derek Minter (Norton), Bob Brown (Norton) and Terry Shepherd (Norton).

At Keppel Gate Surtees sizzled through, while Geoff Duke had reached the Mountain Box. The leading M.V. hurtled through and was past Braddan before Hartle’s light showed him at Signpost. Then came news that Hailwood had retired near the Waterworks with engine trouble.

All eyes were on the Anderson – Duke duel, and though Anderson came through first, Geoff was a few yards only in arrears. Meanwhile Alastair King was maintaining a steady performance even though he was about three minutes down on the leader. On the other hand he was only 18 seconds behind Hartle, and this unspectacular Scotsman would pull every trick out of the bag to break up the M.V. partnership.
Duke had increased his lead over Anderson by 15 seconds.

MANX RIDERS

Manx riders Syd Mizen (A.J.S.) and George Costain (Norton), were both going strong after five laps. Mizen was having the better of the local derby, leading the southern rider by over three minutes.
Their individual lap times were: Costain, 1st lap: 25-59.8; 51-54; 1-17-34.2; 1-43-11.2; 2-9-29.
Mizen: 25-18.8; 50-27.4; 1-15-34.4; 1-41-10.8; 2-6-17.

Sixth Lap

The red rockets piloted by Surtees and Hartle howled through Ballacraine and Michael and on to Sulby, where Eric Teare was frantic as he took them and the other leading riders through. Anderson and Duke had arrived together and the amazing Alistair King was breathing down their necks. At Ramsey, Geoff was leading Anderson, with King not far behind.
By the end of this lap, Surtees was well ahead of his team mate.

Last Lap

This was definitely to be a Surtees victory. His multi M.V. gobbled up the miles between the start and Ballacraine, and it was a long time before Hartle was there, with Alastair King, Duke and Anderson arriving there a few seconds before Surtees’ clock moved to Kirk Michael.

The fifth lap – 15 seconds difference between Duke and Anderson, widened
to 24 seconds at the end of the sixth, and Dave Chadwick had moved on to the leader board. Surtees screamed along the Sulby Straight to the bridge, and unwaveringly he swung to take the Ginger Hall corner as the crowds waved to him. While the retirement of No. 56, G.A. Northwood (Norton) with engine trouble, and that of American, Ed. La Belle (Norton) – both riders o.k. – was announced – Surtees was signalled at Ramsey.
The grandstand spectators had their eyes glued on the scoreboards and shortly after 1-15 Surtees’ red light went up and the snarling M.V. streaked through to the chequered flag for Surtees to repeat his last year’s Junior win.
Hartle came over the line second man just as King’s light went on, with Duke arriving
at Signpost a few seconds ahead of Anderson. King and Duke finished practically abreast past the chequered flag, as Anderson came from the dip at Governor’s Bridge to finish fifth man on the road.

TEAM PRIZE

Two teams were left in the race: The Matabeleland M.C.C., with Bob Anderson, Jim Redman and Garry Hocking, and the Southern I.O.M. team, with Geoff Duke, D. Chadwick and George Costain. According to the announcer it was going to be a tight decision, but it went to the Southern club.

Costain’s final time, 3 hrs. 0 mins. 30 secs. Syd Mizen’s final time, 2 hrs. 56 mins. 29.8 secs.

Competitors

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