1978 silver salver presented by Dunlop tyres
Date made: 1978
Description: A silver salver presented by Dunlop tyres. Engraved: 'The Dunlop TT award, presented to Mick Grant for his contribution to Dunlop's success at the Isle of Man TT.' The award ceremony took place at the Castle Mona hotel, and the four top riders on Dunlop tyres each received a salver: Grant, Mike Hailwood, John Williams and Phil Read. See PG/13633/1/1978/471/1.
Racing at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) plays an important role in tyre development, which feeds through to road tyres available to ordinary motorcyclists. Racing wins are also good sales and marketing publicity for tyre manufacturers.
Mick Grant was born near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, in 1944. An early interest in motorcycles led to a career as a racer, first as a privateer and then a works rider with John Player Norton in 1972. It was the aura of the TT which drew Grant to the Isle of Man, “I just had to race in the Island…There was a magical ring to the place and I felt I had to go.” He is regarded as one of the greatest riders of the 1970s.
Materials: metal: silver, plated?
Object name: salver
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2017-0120
Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT