THE WAY WE WERE IN JUNE

1921

The bespoke motorcycle maker AJS of Wolverhampton has rewrote the record books at the IoM TT races. Despite being confined to bed on the Sunday preceding the Junior race, 27-year-old Eric Williams (348cc AJS), victor of the 1914 Junior IoM TT, won Monday’s Junior race at a record race speed of 52.11mph, while second place finisher Howard

Davies (348cc AJS) posted a new Junior record lap of 55.15mph. The factory completed the Junior hat trick with Manxman Tommy Sheard bringing home his 348cc AJS in third place. All rode ohv models.

In the Senior race, Howard Davies pitted his tiny factory 348cc AJS against the full 500cc works Sunbeams, Triumphs, Indians and Nortons, running initially second to Freddie Dixon’s

Indian and then FG Edmund’s Triumph, who set a new lap record of 56.40mph. Later George Dance (Sunbeam) took the lead before crashing at Glen Helen, then Alec Bennett (Sunbeam) led before Davies edged his AJS ahead on the fifth circuit, increasing his lead to over two minutes at the flag from the Indians of Dixon and Bert Le Vack, with Bennett fourth. Not only was AJS the first factory to win two IoM TT races in a week, but this was the first (and only) occasion a Junior machine won the Senior race.

Doug Prentice, racing a factory entered 249cc New Imperial with JAP engine, won the Junior 250cc class (The Motor Cycle Cup) at 44.61mph, while Bert Kershaw, also factory entered (249cc New Imperial-AP), set fastest lap, both new records.

1946

It was confirmed construction of the new 2.41mile race circuit on Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, was at an advanced stage. The project was a co-operation between the Scarborough and DMC, the Yorkshire Centre of the ACU and the Borough Council, who hoped for motorcycle racing within three months.

1971

With the £1m+ loss predicted in financial circles and a 40% shortfall in sales, rumours emanating from the BSA Group implied severe cutbacks were needed within weeks to save the company. Already Peter Thornton, president of the US operation, had resigned, and it was expected several other board members would follow suit within days.

1996

Trade speculation informed that relationships between Enfield India and UK importers Bavanar Products of Croydon were becoming strained due to build quality issues. Some sources suggested Bavanar are near the point of cancelling their European sales franchise.

A recent announcement confirmed The European Commission was proposing to ban the sale of leaded petrol from January 1, 2000.