Jimmie Guthrie
Encyclopedia
| Motorcycle Grand Prix Grand Prix motorcycle racing Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced... Career |
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| Nationality | Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... |
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| Active years | 1923 - 1937 |
| Team(s) | Matchless Matchless Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins... , New Hudson New Hudson New Hudson may mean:*New Hudson, New York, the town located in Allegany County, New York*New Hudson , a former UK engineering and motorcycle manufacturing company... , Norton Norton (motorcycle) Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range... |
| Grands Prix | N/A |
| Championships | N/A |
| Wins | 28 |
| Podium finishes | 51 |
| Pole position Pole position The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she... s |
N/A |
| Fastest laps | World Speed Records at Montlhery Autodrome de Montlhéry Autodrome de Montlhéry is an automobile racetrack, officially called L’autodrome de Linas-Montlhéry, located across the towns of Linas Bruyères-le-Châtel and Ollainville, outside Paris in the southside.... , France 1934-36 |
| First Grand Prix | 350cc 1923 Isle of Man TT 1923 Isle of Man TT The 1923 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw the introduction of the first Sidecar TT race over 3 laps and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Denny with a special Douglas banking-sidecar in a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds at an average speed of however the fastest... |
| First win | 250cc 1930 Isle of Man TT 1930 Isle of Man TT The 1930 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was dominated by the Rudge marque. Despite problems in practice for Rudge and the new George Hicks designed four-valve over-head valve motor-cycles the 1930 Junior TT was a closely contested race. At the end of the first lap, Charlie Dodson riding for Sunbeam led... |
| Last win | 500cc 1937 Belgium GP |
| Last Grand Prix | 500cc 1937 German GP |
Andrew James "Jimmie" Guthrie (23 May 1897 Hawick
Hawick
Hawick is a town in the Scottish Borders of south east Scotland. It is south-west of Jedburgh and south-southeast of Selkirk. It is one of the farthest towns from the sea in Scotland, in the heart of Teviotdale, and the biggest town in the former county of Roxburghshire. Hawick's architecture is...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
- 8 August 1937) was a Scottish motorcycle racer famous for 19 motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
Grand Prix wins and 3 victories in the North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
and 6 wins at the Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
Races in his career.
Biography
1937 Isle of Man TT
The 1937 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Freddie Frith break the 90+ mph lap for the first time during the Senior TT with a speed of 90.27 mph on his Norton beating Stanley Woods by only 15 seconds...
Races he won the Junior TT
Junior TT
The Junior TT is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June...
but retired on lap 5 of the 1937 Senior TT
Senior TT
The Senior Tourist Trophy is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June. The Senior TT is the Blue Riband event of the festival and takes place on the Friday of race week. The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars...
race at The Cutting on the A18 Mountain Road section of the course. After his death while competing in the 1937 German Grand Prix
German motorcycle Grand Prix
The German motorcycle Grand Prix, first held in 1925, is since 1952 part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Championship.- History :The first two Großer Preis von Deutschland races were held at Berlin's AVUS before moving to the new the purpose-built Nürburgring which was used in its full...
, a memorial was erected to him in 1939. Paid for by public subscription the memorial was built at the place where he retired in his last Isle of Man TT Race and The Cutting has been called Guthrie's Memorial
Guthrie's Memorial
Guthrie's Memorial is a S-bend corner on the primary A18 Mountain Road in the parish of Lezayre in the Isle of Man between the 26th and 27th Milestone Isle of Man TT road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course....
(Ordnance Survey Map SC 435 935 GB Grid) ever since. The inscription on the memorial reads as follows;-
"James Guthrie, 1897-1937. Erected to the memory of Jimmy Guthrie, of Hawick, a brilliant Motor Cycle Rider, famous on the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Course for his wonderful riding and great sportsmanship. He won the race six times. Beat many world's records and was first in numerous foreign races. He died while upholding the honour of his country in the German Grand Prix, August, 1937."
A further memorial was created on the Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Hohenstein-Ernstthal
Hohenstein-Ernstthal is a town in the Zwickau rural district, Free State of Saxony, Germany. The towns of Hohenstein and Ernstthal were united in 1898, and the town is either known by its hyphenated form, or simply called Hohenstein....
or Sachsenring
Sachsenring
The Sachsenring racing circuit is located in Hohenstein-Ernstthal near Chemnitz in Saxony, Germany. Among other events, it features the annual German motorcycle Grand Prix of the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship.- History :...
course in 1949 at the site of the fatal accident and is called the "Guthrie Stone."
There is also a memorial stone and bronze but of Guthrie in his native town's park.
War Service
After a period as an apprentice engineer, Jimmie Guthrie joined the local regiment, the 4th (The Border) Battalion King's Own Scottish BorderersKing's Own Scottish Borderers
The King's Own Scottish Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Scottish Division.-History:It was raised on 18 March 1689 by the Earl of Leven to defend Edinburgh against the Jacobite forces of James II. It is said that 800 men were recruited within the space of two hours...
. The 4th Bn Kings Own Scottish Borders were part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division and while moving from Scotland to Gallipoli
Gallipoli
The Gallipoli peninsula is located in Turkish Thrace , the European part of Turkey, with the Aegean Sea to the west and the Dardanelles straits to the east. Gallipoli derives its name from the Greek "Καλλίπολις" , meaning "Beautiful City"...
were involved in the Quintinshill rail crash
Quintinshill rail crash
The Quintinshill rail disaster occurred on 22 May 1915 in Scotland near Gretna Green at Quintinshill, an intermediate signal box with sidings on each side on the Caledonian Railway Main Line . The crash involved five trains and killed 226 people...
near Gretna
Gretna
-Places:In Scotland:*Gretna, Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway*Gretna GreenIn Canada:*Gretna, ManitobaIn the United States:*Gretna, Florida*Gretna, Louisiana*Gretna, Nebraska*Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania*Mount Gretna Heights, Pennsylvania...
with the 1/7th Bn Royal Scots which resulted in the death of 210 officers and men from the 52nd Division. While serving with the 4th Bn Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Jimmie Guthrie saw service at Gallipoli and in Palestine. The 52nd (Lowland Division) also served in France in 1918 during the Second Battles of the Somme and Arras. During this time on the Western Front in France, Jimmie Guthrie served as motor-cycle dispatch rider.
Hawick & District MCC
After war service and returning to his native Hawick, Jimmie Guthrie and his brother Archie joined the local Hawick Motor-Cycle Club. After participating in many local hill-climb and grass-track races the Hawick MCC nominated Jimmie Guthrie him to race at the Isle of Man TTIsle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
races for the 1923 season. Although, Jimmie Guthrie did not return to the Isle of Man TT Races until 1927, he competed at the Scottish Speed Championships at St Andrews and won the 1926 and 1927 championships.
Isle of Man TT Race Career
The 1923 Isle of Man TT1923 Isle of Man TT
The 1923 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw the introduction of the first Sidecar TT race over 3 laps and was won by Freddie Dixon and passenger Walter Denny with a special Douglas banking-sidecar in a time of 2 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds at an average speed of however the fastest...
was the first race on the Snaefell Mountain Course
Snaefell mountain course
Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races held in the Isle of Man from 1911 and 1923 respectively. The racing is held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald...
for Jimmie Guthrie competing in the Junior Race that produced a first-time win for Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson...
. It was an inauspicious beginning for Jimmie Guthrie starting the 1923 Junior Race at number 38 riding a Matchless
Matchless
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins...
motor-cycle and retiring at Kirk Michael on lap 1 with valve problems.
A return to the Isle of Man TT after an absence 4 years, the 1927 Isle of Man TT
1927 Isle of Man TT
The 1927 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw more changes occur with a fatal accident during practice to Archie Birkin, a brother to Tim Birkin of the Bentley Boys fame. The corner in Kirk Michael where the accident occurred was renamed Birkins Bend and from 1928 practice sessions were held on...
races held contrasting fortunes for Jimmie Guthrie. Starting the 1927 Junior TT
Junior TT
The Junior TT is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June...
Race with number 36 riding a New Hudson
New Hudson
New Hudson may mean:*New Hudson, New York, the town located in Allegany County, New York*New Hudson , a former UK engineering and motorcycle manufacturing company...
motor-cycle, Jimmie Guthrie retired on lap 5 at Ballacraine
Ballacraine
Ballacraine is situated between the 7th Milestone and 8th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road and the A3 Castletown to Ramsey road in the parish of German in the Isle of Man.The road...
with a broken petrol-pipe This was followed by a fine second place, 8 minutes and 17 seconds behind the winner Alec Bennett
Alec Bennett
Alec Bennett was an Irish-Canadian motorcycle racer famous for motorcycle Grand Prix wins and five career wins at the Isle of Man TT Races.-Biography:...
riding for the works Norton team in the 1927 Senior TT Race. Again riding a New Hudson motor-cyle at number 18, despite being delayed at the TT Grandstand on lap 2 to tighten a loose foot-rest, Jimmie Guthrie finished the race in 4 hours, and 4 minutes at an average race speed of 66.02 mph.
After lying in 6th place, Jimmie Guthrie in the 1928 Junior TT Race was 2½ minutes behind the leader Alec Bennett. During a refuelling stop at the TT Grandstand
TT Grandstand
TT Grandstand including the startline, pit lane, depot and scoreboard for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races is situated on the A2 Douglas to Ramsey road in the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man....
on lap 3, as Jimmie Guthrie prepared to pull-out the engine backfired and set a fire to a petrol overspill and caused the Norton motor-cycle to catch fire which led to a retirement from the 1928 Junior TT Race. During the 1928 Senior TT Race, Jimmie Guthrie retired at Kirk Michael on lap 1 with an engine problem and the race was won by Charlie Dodson riding a Sunbeam at an average race speed of 62.98mph. For the 1929 Isle of Man TT
1929 Isle of Man TT
For the 1929 Isle of Man TT races the Velocette marque had high expectations of another win in the Junior TT Race. Despite the early lead of Alec Bennett, riding a Velocette, and Wal Handley, now riding an AJS motor-cycle, it was Freddie Hicks that led from the third lap and won the 1929 Junior TT...
Races, Jimmie Guthrie was a non-starter for the Junior and Senior Races after suffering injuries from a crash at Greeba Bridge
Greeba Bridge
Greeba Bridge is situated between the 6th Milestone and 7th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road and the Greeba Mill Road in the parish of German in the Isle of Man.Greeba Bridge was...
during practice.
Despite a retirement at Crosby
Crosby, Isle of Man
Crosby is a small village 6 km west of Douglas, Isle of Man on the Isle of Man. It has a population of about 900. The River Dhoo flows through the village.-Village:...
on lap 6 of the 1930 Junior TT Races for Jimmie Guthrie, this followed by winning his first TT Race, the 1930 Lightweight Race riding an AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
motor-cycle at an average race speed of 64.71 mph. The 1930 Senior TT Race was another retirement for Jimmie Guthrie on lap 2 at the Creg-ny-Baa
Creg-ny-Baa
Creg-ny-Baa [kreg no bæ:] is situated between the 35th Milestone and 36th Milestone on the primary A18 road and the road junction with the secondary B12 'Creg-ny-Baa Back-Road' in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man...
with an engine mis-fire.
Norton Team 1931-1937
In 1930 Jimmie Guthrie set a number of world speed records on a Norton InternationalNorton International
The Norton International or Cammy Norton was a Norton Motors Ltd overhead cam motorcycle between 1931 and 1957.More than a TT replica sports roadster, the OHC Model 30, was 500 cc and the OHC Model 40 was 350 cc. During the 1930s it could be ordered from the Norton factory with all...
at the concrete bowl track in Montlhery
Montlhéry
Montlhéry is a commune in the Essonne department in Île-de-France in northern France. It is located from Paris.Inhabitants of Montlhéry are known as Montlhériens.-History:...
, France.as well as the one-hour world record at a speed of 114.09 mph, he also broke the 50km, 50 mile, 100 km and 100 mile records.
After his first Isle of Man TT win, for the 1931 season Jimmie Guthrie joined the works Norton team run by the engineer Joe Craig
Joe Craig
Joe Craig is an English writer, children's novelist and musician.He is best known for the Jimmy Coates series of books, which is sometimes compared to the work of Jack Heath or Anthony Horowitz , and described in several reviews as 'The Bourne Identity for kids'.-Biography:Craig was born and grew...
. In the 1931 Junior and Senior TT Races, Jimmie Guthrie finished in 2nd place to Tim "Percy" Hunt in both races who completed the first Junior/Senior double win for the factory Norton team.
Despite hitting and killing a sheep during practice at Glen Duff
Glen Duff
Glen Duff is situated between the 21st Milestone and 22nd Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the A3 Castletown to Ramsey and the road junction with the B14 Road of the Ayre in the parish of Lezayre in the Isle of Man.Glen Duff was part...
, Jimmie Guthrie went on to compete in the 1932 Isle of Man TT
1932 Isle of Man TT
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. The 1932 Junior TT Race was won by Stanley Woods riding a Norton at an average race speed of from Wal Handley and Tyrell Smith riding for the Rudge factory...
Races. On lap 4 of the 1932 Junior TT Race, Jimmie Guthrie retires at the TT Grandstand
TT Grandstand
TT Grandstand including the startline, pit lane, depot and scoreboard for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races is situated on the A2 Douglas to Ramsey road in the town of Douglas in the Isle of Man....
after slipping-off at Governor's Bridge
Governor's Bridge
Governor's Bridge is a double hairpin bend and road junction on the primary A18 Mountain Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man between the 37th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course and the TT Grandstand on the primary A2 Glencrutchery Road in the town of Douglas.The...
.The 1932 Senior TT Race produced another 2nd place for Jimmie Guthrie and Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson...
went on to win race at an average race speed of 78.47 mph and completing his first Junior/Senior double win.
After hitting the bank at Hillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner
Hillberry Corner is situated at the 36th Milestone road-side marker on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Mountain Road and the road junction with the C22 Little Mill Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man....
on lap 1 of the 1933 Junior TT Race, Jimmie Guthrie loses valuable time. After recovering from this delay, Jimmie Guthrie is up to 2nd place, then slips-off on melting tar at the Quarterbridge
Quarterbridge
Quarterbridge Crossing was the first major crossing point of the Isle of Man Railway's first line to Peel and was opened in 1873, closing in 1968 with the rest of the line.-History:...
on lap 4 and finishes in 3rd place behing winner Stanley Woods and Tim Hunt. The 1933 Senior TT Race produces another Junior/Senior double win for Stanley Woods and a 1-2-3-4 win for the works Norton team with Jimmie Guthrie finishing in 4th place from team-mates, Tim Hunt and Jimmie Simpson.
After Tim Hunt had retired from racing after a crash at the 1933 Swedish Grand Prix, it was Irishman Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson...
who became the defacto Norton team-leader. However, after a dispute over prize-money, Stanley Woods leaves to join Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It is one of seven brands owned by Piaggio.Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its central historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and a series of...
, promoting Jimmie Guthrie to the vacant team-leader position. For the 1934 racing season Jimmie Guthrie won the 500cc 1934 North West 200 at an average race speed of 80.37 mph from Ernie Nott riding for Rudge and John "Crasher" White riding for Norton. The 1934 Isle of Man TT
1934 Isle of Man TT
For the 1934 Isle of Man TT Races despite the winning of four TT Races in 2 years, Stanley Woods parted with Norton motor-cycles over the issue of prize money and race tactics and joined Husqvarna alongside Ernie Nott....
Races also produced a Junior/Senior double win for Jimmie Guthrie, winning the 1934 Junior TT at an average race speed of 79.16 mph and the Senior TT Race at an average race speed of 78.01 mph. In both races the 2nd place finisher was Jimmie Simpson riding in his last TT Race meeting before retirement from racing.
The 1935 racing season started for Jimmie Guthrie with another win in the 500cc 1935 North West 200
North West 200
The North West 200 is a motorcycle race meeting held each May in Northern Ireland. The course, made up of public roads running between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush is one of the fastest in the world, with speeds in excess of . It is one of around fifteen events run on public...
at an average race speed of 76.53 mph from team-mate S.Darbishire and Henry Tyrell-Smith in 3rd place riding for AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
motor-cycles. The 1935 Isle of Man TT
1935 Isle of Man TT
For the 1935 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, Stanley Woods provided another surprise by moving again, from Husqvarna to Moto Guzzi.The 1935 Junior TT Race provided a Junior TT double win for Jimmie Guthrie at an average race speed of and Norton with a 1-2-3 race win with Walter Rusk and "Crasher"...
Races was used by Associated Talking Pictures for the backdrop for the motion picture No Limit
No Limit (1936 film)
No Limit is a 1935 British comedy film which was released by Associated Talking Pictures. It starred George Formby and Florence Desmond.-Synopsis:...
starring George Formby. The 1935 Junior TT Race provided a Junior TT double win for Jimmie Guthrie at an average race speed of 79.14 mph and Norton with a 1-2-3 race win with Walter Rusk and "Crasher" White filling 2nd and 3rd places.
1935 Senior Isle of Man TT Race
The 1935 Senior TT Race was postponed to the next day due to poor weather. Despite the delay, the race produced one of the most dramatic TT races. The race was led away by Jimmie Guthrie at number 1 while Stanley Woods starting at number 30 had a 15 minute wait. By the last lap of the 1935 Senior TT Race, Jimmie Guthrie had built-up a lead of 26 seconds. As the Moto Guzzi pit-attendants made preparations for Stanley Woods to refuel on the last-lap, the Norton pit-crew signalled to Guthrie to easy the pace on the last lap. Stanley Woods riding for Moto Guzzi went straight through the TT Grandstand area without stopping on the last lap and set a new overall lap record of 26 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 86.53 mph. Despite the Norton team telephoning the signal-station at Ramsey on the last lap to indicate to Jimmie Guthrie to speed-up the pace, Stanley WoodsStanley Woods
Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson...
won the 1935 Senior TT Race by 4 seconds from Jimmie Guthrie in 3 hours, 7 minutes and 10 seconds at an average speed of 84.68 mph. After the race Jimmie Guthrie said;- "I went as quick as I could but Stanley went quicker. I am sorry but I did the best I could."
Final Result 1935 Senior TT (500cc)
Saturday 22 June 1935 - 7 laps (264.11 miles) Mountain Course.| Rank | Rider | Team | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Stanley WoodsStanley Woods Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson... |
Moto Guzzi Moto Guzzi Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It is one of seven brands owned by Piaggio.Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its central historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and a series of... |
84.68 mph | 3.07.10.0 |
| 2 |  Jimmie Guthrie |
Norton Norton (motorcycle) Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range... |
84.65 | 3:07.14.0 |
| 3 |  Walter Rusk |
Norton | 83.53 | 3:09.45.0 |
Following on from the dramatic win by Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods
Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson...
in the 1935 Senior TT
Senior TT
The Senior Tourist Trophy is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June. The Senior TT is the Blue Riband event of the festival and takes place on the Friday of race week. The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars...
Race, the 1936 Junior TT
Junior TT
The Junior TT is a motorcycle road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June...
Race proved to be highly controversial marred by disqualification and protest. After leading for five laps, Jimmie Guthrie was forced to stop between Hillberry and Signpost Corner
Signpost Corner
Signpost Corner is a 90-degree right-hand corner and road junction and is situated between the 36th Milestone and 37th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course on the primary A18 Bemahague Road and secondary B11 Avondale Road in the parish of Onchan in the Isle of Man.The name...
to replace the drive chain. Although continuing in 2nd place the lead passed to Norton team-mate Freddie Frith
Freddie Frith
Frederick Lee "Freddie" Frith OBE was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion. A former stonemason and motor-trader dealer was a stylish rider and five times winner of the Isle of Man TT...
. At Parliament Square in Ramsey
Ramsey, Isle of Man
Ramsey is a town in the north of the Isle of Man. It is the second largest town on the island after Douglas. Its population is 7,309 according to the 2006 census . It has one of the biggest harbours on the island, and has a prominent derelict pier, called the Queen's Pier. It was formerly one of...
on the lap 6, Jimmie Guthrie was 'black-flagged' for receiving out-side assistance and disqualified. However, Guthrie denied the charge and continued the race to finish in fifth place which was won by Freddie Frith to record his first Isle of Man TT win at an average race speed of 80.14 mph. The Norton race team protested the disqualification and Jimmie Guthrie was posted in 5th place in the final race classification and was awarded 2nd place prize money. The 1936 Senior TT Race was won by Jimmie Guthrie by 18 seconds from Stanley Woods riding now for Velocette
Velocette
Velocette is the name given to motorcycles that were made by Veloce Ltd, in Hall Green, Birmingham, England. One of several motorcycle manufacturers in Birmingham, Velocette was a small, family-owned firm, selling far fewer hand-built motorcycles than the giant BSA, Norton or Triumph concerns...
and provided revenge for the dramatic defeat by Stanley Woods the previous year.
The 1937 Isle of Man TT
1937 Isle of Man TT
The 1937 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Freddie Frith break the 90+ mph lap for the first time during the Senior TT with a speed of 90.27 mph on his Norton beating Stanley Woods by only 15 seconds...
Races continued the "Norton Habit" for Jimmie Guthrie winning the 1937 Junior TT Race at an average race speed of 84.43 mph from fellow Norton team-mates Freddie Frith
Freddie Frith
Frederick Lee "Freddie" Frith OBE was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion. A former stonemason and motor-trader dealer was a stylish rider and five times winner of the Isle of Man TT...
and John "Crasher" White in 2nd and 3rd places. The 1937 Senior TT Race was won by Freddie Frith at an average race speed of 88.21 mph riding for Norton after winning the 1936 Junior TT Race. On lap 5 of the 1937 Senior TT Race, Jimmie Guthrie retired on the Mountain Section of the course just below the 'The Cutting.'
TT victories
| Year | Race & Capacity | Motorcycle | Average Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Lightweight 250cc | AJS AJS AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on... |
64.71 mph |
| 1934 | Junior 350cc | Norton Norton (motorcycle) Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range... |
79.16 mph |
| 1934 | Senior 500cc | Norton | 78.16 mph |
| 1935 | Junior 350cc | Norton | 79.14 mph |
| 1936 | Senior 500cc | Norton | 85.08 mph |
| 1937 | Junior 500cc | Norton | 84.43 mph |
TT career summary
| Finishing Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | DNF |
| Number of times | 6 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
External links
- TT database rider profile iomtt.com
- TT database TT results iomtt.com