1924 Isle of Man TT. Race #13

In 1924 the ACU introduced the of the Ultra-Lightweight class for motorcycles of 175 cc capacity that was run only twice, in 1924 and 1925. This was the second year of the Sidecar race that would also be dropped after 1925.

The Ultra-Lightweight TT began with a massed-start for competitors rather than pairs as with the normal time-trial format of the TT races, but, luckily, everybody survived. The winner of the first Ultra-Lightweight TT was Jock Porter riding a New Gerrard at an average speed of 51.21 mph (82.41 km/h).

An Isle of Man TT silver replica trophy, 1924 award, presented by Geoff Davison who took the 4th place.

?Junior TT

The Junior TT race was won by Ken Twemlow on a New Imperial at an average speed of 55.67 mph (89.59 km/h). In the same Junior race, Jimmie Simpson set a new lap record of 35 minutes and 5 seconds at an average speed of 64.54 mph (103.87 km/h) on an AJS – the first average lap-speed over 60 mph. The Lightweight and Senior TT races were run in conjunction, and Eddie Twemlow (brother to Ken Twemlow) riding a New Imperial won the six-lap race in 4 hours, 5 minutes and 3 seconds, an average speed of 55.44 mph (89.22 km/h).

?Senior & Lightweight TT

The Senior TT, like the Junior race, was also run at a record breaking pace and was the first with a race-average speed over 60 mph (97 km/h). The race had been run in conjunction with the Lightweight class, which caused plenty of problems for the Senior competitors since the Lightweights started only five minutes earlier. On the bumpy, dusty Mountain track there was often only one rut to follow and consequently the 500s had to queue to go by.

Freddie Dixon led for four laps before his Indian slowed, which allowed Norton-mounted Alec Bennett to take over in 3 hours, 40 minutes and 24. 6 seconds, with an average speed of 61.64 mph (99.20 km/h). Bennett went on to win and, together with second-placed Harry Langman (Scott) and third placed Dixon.

Alec Bennett – Winner 1924 Senior T.T.

As for the Lightweight, poor Walter Handley performed his usual trick: he led on his Rex-Acme in the Lightweight class before retiring. That let Jock Porter into the lead, but he failed to repeat his Ultra-Lightweight success when he crashed on the last lap, handing the race to Eddie Twemlow (the brother of Junior winner Kenneth) on a New Imperial.

?Sidecar TT

It was held on Wednesday, June 25th, 1924 at 2:00pm over a distance of 150 miles and 1,680 yards, 4 laps of 37.75 miles each. Sidecar TT machines were limited of cylinder capacity not exceeding 600cc.
Only ten outfits contested and only five finished. The race was led by Dixon until he retired on the third lap. George Tucker inherited the lead and took victory on his Norton-powered outfit, with Harry Reed second on his 350cc DOT.

Tucker & Moore (Norton Model 18 & Sidecar) – Winners 1924 Sidecar T.T.

More Photos:

Hubert Hassall

Sidecar rounding Ramsey Hairpin, 1924 TT

Sidecar outfit at Quarterbridge, 1924 Senior TT

Stanley Woods aboard Norton number 27, 1924 Senior TT

Jimmy Simpson aboard Norton number 37, 1924 Senior TT

Jimmy Simpson (?) aboard machine number 23, also Guthrie (?) and another rider, 1924 Senior TT

Alec Bennett at the Senior TT, 1924. Refuelling his Norton bike at the edge of the track. The spectators above him watch as he does so. A Boy Scout can be seen on the left

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Credit: imuseum, wikipedia, gettyimages, iomtt.