Small silver Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) cup awarded to Max Deubel
Date made: mid 20th century
Description: Small silver Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) cup awarded to West German rider Max Deubel, 4 times sidecar World Champion in the 1960s and 3 times TT winner. First rider to break the sidecar 90mph barrier.
Engraved 'Walter Handley Replica. Fastest Lap 1962 sidecar TT'. Deubel actually retired in this race, though he became the first sidecar driver to exceed 90mph average speed in a lap and the first lap under 25 minutes. He wrote later: "I always sent my engines to the race workshop at BMW in Munich where men like Gustl Lachermair took perfect care of them ... I first received works support for the TT race in the Isle of Man in 1961 ... I myself have never been much of a mechanic. As a trained toolmaker I was not very familiar with the engine. With only one single exception I completely relied on Lachermair. After not finishing the 1962 TT race he was more angry because of the technical failure than me." [Mildebrath, Lothar, 'Munster Meistermacher Maschinen.' p.7]
Deubel's last TT was in 1966 - the event was held in August, instead of the traditional June due to a seamen's strike. Although Deubel and his passenger Emil Horner were originally placed second just 0.8 sec. behind rivals Scheidegger and Robinson, they were promoted to first place when the latter were excluded on a fuel technicality. On appeal Scheidegger and Robinson were reinstated as TT winners, which also gave them the 1966 world championship ahead of Deubel and Horner. Deubel retired at the end of the 1966 season, but continued to be involved in racing as an official of the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme).
Measurements: overall: 15.6 cm x 12.3 cm
Materials: metal: silver, plated, plastic: phenolic
Object name: trophy
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2017-0144
Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT