David Jefferies' motorcycle leathers
Date made: 2000
Description: Set of Swift racing leathers worn by David Jefferies at the 2000 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT)), riding for V&M Yamaha. At the TT that year Jefferies became the first rider to break the 125mph lap barrier. He won the Senior, Junior and Production races, retiring in the Formula One event. Leathers heavily scuffed and with signs of wear.
Jefferies first rode in the TT in 1996 and won the newcomers' award. In 1999, Jefferies scored a hat-trick with victories in the Formula One, Production and Senior. In 2000 he again won three races, Junior, Production and Senior and on the last lap of the Senior took the lap record in 18 mins 00.6 secs - 125.69mph.
There was no TT in 2001 due to foot and mouth disease, but in 2002 ‘DJ’ as he was known achieved his third consecutive hat-trick of wins in the Formula One, Production and Senior TTs and again increased the TT course lap record to 127mph.
Sadly David Jefferies died in a crash during practice for the 2003 TT.
Purchased with funds provided by FMNH.
Materials: leather, metal: copper alloy, plastic: other
Object name: leathers
Collection: Costume & Textiles Collection
ID Number: 2017-0122
Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT