Post-War 1947 Isle of Man TT. Motorcycle Race #29

The Isle of Man TT race festival, which was interrupted by the Second World War, resumed in 1947, with three Clubman-class races added to the usual Senior, Junior, and Lightweight races. The event ran from June 9-13 and saw a considerable increase in the number of participants, who were eager to participate in this much-anticipated race. The post-war era presented a different set of challenges for the organizers of the race festival. As a result, there were some notable differences in the racing conditions and the machines that participated in the races.

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Manliff Barrington (Guzzi)

The race festival kicked off with the Lightweight TT on June 9, where Manliff Barrington, riding a Moto Guzzi, secured his victory in the race. He won the race by completing the four laps of the 37.75-mile Mountain Course in 3 hours, 36 minutes, and 26.6 seconds, with an average speed of 73.22 mph (117.83 km/h). Maurice Cann riding Moto Guzzi, and Ben Drinkwater riding Excelsior, finished second and third, respectively.

Manliff Barrington (Guzzi) - speed 73.22 mph - time 3:36:26.6

Maurice Cann (Guzzi) - speed 72.972 mph - time 3:37.10.8

Ben Drinkwater (Excelsior) - speed 70.139 mph - time 3:45.57.0

Sven Sorensen (Excelsior) & Paddy Johnston (CTS)

Les Martin (Excelsior) 1947 finished 9th

On the same day, the Clubmans Lightweight TT took place, where Basil Keys, riding an AJS, emerged as the winner. Les Archer and Don G. Crossley, both riding Velocettes, finished second and third, respectively.

On June 11, the Senior TT race was held, where Harold Daniell, riding a Norton, won the race, with an average speed of 82.81 mph, covering the 226-mile Mountain Course in 3 hours, 11 minutes, and 22 seconds. Artie Bell, riding a Norton, finished second, followed by Peter Goodman, riding a Velocette, in third place.

Harold Daniel (Norton) - speed 82.813 mph - time 3:11.22.2

Artie Bell (Norton) - speed 82.656 mph - time 3:11.44.2

Ted Frend (AJS) finished 4th & Peter Goodman finished 3th

The Junior TT race took place on June 12, where Bob Foster, riding a Velocette, won the race by completing the four laps of the Mountain Course in 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 31 seconds, with an average speed of 72.83 mph. David Whitworth and Jock A. Weddell, both riding Velocettes, finished second and third, respectively.

Artie Bell (Norton) and Ken Bills (Norton)

On the same day, the Clubmans Junior TT took place, where Denis Parkinson, riding a Norton, emerged as the winner. Bob Pratt, riding a Norton, finished second, followed by Wilf Sleightholme, riding an AJS, in third place.

Dennis Parkinson (Norton)

Bob Pratt (Norton)

Wilf Sleightholme (AJS) 1947 - speed 68.28 mph - time 2:12.39.0

The final race of the festival was the Clubmans Senior TT, which took place on June 13. Eric Briggs, riding a Norton, won the race, followed by Allan Jefferies, riding a Triumph, in second place, and Geoff F. Parsons, riding an Ariel, in third place.

Eric Briggs (Norton)

Jack Cannell (Triumph)

Hilary Iremonger-Watts (Triumph)

The 1947 Isle of Man TT was notable for being the first post-war race festival and for featuring some notable performances by the riders and their machines. The Norton team, in particular, had a remarkable run in the Senior race, which they would continue to dominate until 1954. The 1947 event set the tone for future races, with the Isle of Man TT becoming one of the most iconic motorcycle races in the world.