1908 isle of man TT. Race #2
The second Isle of Man Tourist Trophy motorcycle race was held on September 22, 1908 alongside the RAC Tourist Trophy car race on September 24 at the St John's Short Course, Isle of Man. It was not only pedals that came under scrutiny for the races. Fuel regulations were changed and volunteers to act as course marshals were called for.
Singles were restricted to 100 miles to the gallon and twins to 80 miles. After so many brushes with local traffic and, more often, sheep the previous year, it was obvious the St John's Course would have to be marshalled. Once again the Manx government came up trumps by enrolling marshals as special constables, a tradition that has continued until the present day.
The races were held in September alongside the car TT, and the banning of pedals had a significant effect on the development of machinery that had to negotiate the infamous Creg Willey's Hill.
After wet practice sessions the 36 starters were bathed in sunshine as they lined up at St John's.
Fifteen singles and 21 twins made up the increased field, with both German and Swiss riders entering for the first time. There was also new machinery, with two Belgian four-cylinder FN bikes entered in the twin class, but in the singles the Colliers and the Triumph-mounted Marshall continued their battle.
Fowler also returned, looking for a repeat performance on his Norton twin, but like the Colliers he would sail back to the mainland disappointed. Marshall led the singles, but lost ground when he crashed at Kirk Michael on the first lap. He dropped back further to change a broken exhaust valve and mend a puncture, but was determined to beat Charlie Collier and his all-conquering Matchless. Collier also had his problems and had to change a plug, but still led at the half-distance break.
Jack Marshall astride 1908 Triumph TT, winner of 1908 iom tt. Photo cresit: motoringpicturelibrary
Marshall really got the Triumph flying in the second half and overtook Collier to win by two minutes. His average speed was 40.49 mph – the first 40 mph-plus race average. In third place was Sir Robert Keith Arbuthnot, who had taken special leave from his Royal Naval duties to compete on his Triumph. Harry Reed won the twin class on his Peugeot-engined DOT after early leader Fowler was forced to retire. Once again the average speed of the winning twin was slower than that of the smaller capacity single.
1908 16-20 JAP - Charlie Collier
DID YOU KNOW?
Admiral Sir R. K. Arbuthnot rode his Triumph in the 1908 Singles TT, where he finished third. Both Arbuthnot and his bike were sunk and lost in the battle of Jutland in 1916. Image source: FoTTofinders
1908 TT Triumph in the Isle of Man Motor Museum at Jurby. In 1908 Jack Marshall won the TT on this bike. (St. John's Course). 475cc 3½ hp. 84mm bore X 86mm stroke. Only available with Magneto ignition. Accumulator/coil was not to return again until the 1950's! Photo credit: Dave Wilcock
Jack Marshall poses before the start
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