1932 Isle of Man TT. Race #21

The Norton-Rudge battle continued in 1932, but, once again, it was Norton who emerged on top, leaving Rudge empty-handed after their unexpected defeat in the Lightweight class.

The 1932 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race meeting was watched by Prince George, Duke of Kent the first royal visitor to the Isle of Man TT Races.

Generic view of spectators watching as a competitor rides over Quarter Bridge during the Isle of Man Senior TT Tourist Trophy motorcycle race on 9 June 1932 at Douglas, Isle of Man, United Kingdom.

?Senior TT

The 1932 Senior TT Race provided Stanley Woods with the "Norton Habit" and another Junior/Senior double win at an average race speed of 79.38 mph (127.75 km/h). The 1932 Senior TT Race was initially led on the first lap by Norton teammate Jimmie Simpson who set a new overall lap record of 27 minutes and 47 seconds at an average speed of 81.50 mph (131.16 km/h). Also on the first lap Wal Handley riding for Rudge crashed at the 11th Milestone sustaining a back injury and retired. The place on the TT Course where the incident occurred was renamed Handley's Corner.

Wal Handley, 1932 Senior TT

#1. Stanley Woods
#2. Jimmie Guthrie
#3. Jimmie Simpson

?Junior TT

Earlier in the week the determined Woods had achieved the first part of what was to be a double for him and for Norton, in the Junior. In contrast to the Senior, he was pushed all the way by the Rudges of Handley and Tyrell-Smith, establishing a new lap record of 78.62mph as he fought off Handley to win with two minutes to spare.

Spectators watch as Stanley Woods of Ireland rides the #19 Norton 350cc motorcycle around Governor's Bridge hairpin during the Junior TT

#1. Stanley Woods
#2. Wal Handley
#3. H. G. Tyrell Smith

?Lightweight TT

There was a big surprise in the Lightweight, where Rudge were expected to rule supreme. Instead a real outsider, New Imperial rider Leo Davenport, overcame the Rudge challenge presented by Graham Walker and Handley to secure a famous victory. He was in fifth place at the end of the first lap, but fought back to lead by the sixth.

G Walker and J Lind, (no 13), rounding the bend at Governors Bridge in the Junior TT

#1. Leo Davenport
#2. Graham Walker
#3. Wal Handley

More photos:

HRH Duke of Kent Prince George with Canon E.H. Stenning meeting Jack Williams at the Grandstand

Stanley Woods and his norton 1932 Senior TT

Jimmy Guthrie on Norton motorcycle, Isle of Man Senior TT Race, 1932. Guthrie finished the race in second place, behind another Norton ridden by Stanley Woods. Jimmy Guthrie won a total of six TT victories between 1923 and 1937, and was a Norton works rider from 1931. He was unfortunately killed at the German Grand Prix in 1937, and a memorial to him is sited at the point on the TT course where he retired from his last race in the event.

From Czechoslovakia, GW Platchett is shown on a Senior TT Jawa at the 1932 IOM TT.
"Rode in 3 races, finishing in one. But not on the machine featured on which he completed 5 laps and then retired."

Charlie Dodson poses aboard Excelsior machine number 20

Motorcyclists start off one at a time in the famous Isle of Man TT races. Each one is logged as he sets off. People are watching and there is a large scoreboard and course map in the background.