The 1962 TT in pictures
Reading the January 2021 article on the 50cc TT, and the follow-up in the February 2021 issue, brought back happy memories for me. I was at the 1962 TT and watched these incredible machines screaming round Braddan Bridge, swapping cogs mid corner. I remember the race was won by Ernst Degner on the Suzuki by a whisker from Luigi Taveri and Tommy Robb, both on Hondas which revved to 17,500 rpm. I think they had an ignition cut out button and changed gear without the clutch being used. Imagine finishing the two-lap race at just over 75mph on a tiddler! I was lucky to get close up to entrants of all classes during scrutineering, and took photos… Mike Hailwood with his dad Stan, Derek Minter, Jim Redman and Gary Hocking to name a few. I even managed to snap Rem Fowler. Have sent some photos which you might find useful for your archives and which others may enjoy seeing too. Love reading the magazine, can't wait for each issue to arrive.
Editor’s note:
After Colin sent us these fabulous pictures, it was too hard to decide which should run with his letter, so we’ve decided to use them all! And have a go at identifying who’s who… Please see captions; there’s a few faces who we’re unsure of. At the 1962 races, as well as the 50cc TT, there was the historic BSA win of Chris Vincent ( see page six), then wins for Luigi Taveri in the Lightweight 125cc class, the first of a quintet (Taveri followed by Tommy Robb, Tom Phillis, Derek Minter and Jim Redman) of Hondas, Derek Minter (Lightweight, 250cc Honda) from two more Hondas (Redman and Phillis), Mike Hailwood (350cc MV, ahead of team-mate Gary Hocking) and then Hocking (Senior, 500cc MV). The race week saw brilliance from Hailwood – who harassed the works Hondas in the 125cc race until his two-stroke EMC gave up – as well as bad luck in the Senior race, when gearbox and clutch troubles with his MV restricted him to 12th.