Newsletter No 29 - VMCC - Isle of Man

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BOOK REVIEW “Excelsior – The Racing Years” Excelsior, based originally in Coventry, were Britain’s first motorcycle manufacturer, starting production of their own “motor-bicycle” in 1896. The Walker family took over post WW1 and were keen to participate in competitions and racing and the first mention of this is T. F. Sinclair’s entry in the 1923 Lightweight TT on an o.h.v. outside-flywheeled Blackburne-engined model. The 1925 catalogue lists this as a Tourist Trophy model priced at £62. 1928 saw Excelsior riders win five European and Brooklands grands prix with 1929 being the year of the marque’s first TT win with Syd Crabtree taking the Lightweight honours on his 250cc JAP-engined machine at record speed. Other successes included the Dutch and French Grands Prix and 41 firsts and world’s records at Brooklands. The 1930 Senior TT saw Crabtree entered on a stunning looking Excelsior powered by the new 500cc o.h.v. V-twin JAP engine, unfortunately retiring on lap 5. With their JAP-engined racers coming towards the end of their production, Eric Walker, the managing director, decided that Excelsior should have its own racing engines so he commissioned Burnley and Blackburne to design something special. Designer Ike Hatch came up with what became known as the 250cc Mechanical Marvel. This had an o.h.v. radial four-valve head with a central spark plug, two splayed downdraught inlet ports, twin TT Amal carburetters and twin exhausts. The engine came Page 16
straight off the drawing board to win the 1933 Lightweight TT ridden by Syd Gleave, with Charlie Dodson (New Imperial) in second place. Many wins were achieved with the “Marvel,” particularly by Danish rider Svend Sorenson, but it was retired at the end of the 1934 season as it was considered too complicated to offer for sale as a production racer. That role was filled by the stunning looking two-valve overhead camshaft Manxman model. Burnley and Blackburne again supplied the Ike Hatch-designed engine, with technical manager Alan Bruce designing the frame with Charlie Manders, Tyrell Smith and Ginger Wood as the works riders. Although the Excelsior Manxman never won a pre-war TT, it was placed second three times and third in 1939. Whilst intended as just a taster, prior to a possible full history of the marque, this well-illustrated book suffers from its scrapbook style of design and general lack of information. Author: Paul Ingham - Foreword by Jackie McCredie Published by Ilkley Racing Books, 3 Mendip House Gardens, Curly Hill, Ilkley LS29 0DD. - Soft back, 215 x 270mm (portrait); 112 pages with over 170 photographs and illustrations. ISBN 978-0-9524802-8-0 Limited edition of 500 copies - £20.00 Book reviewed by Jonathan Hill A hearty welcome to these eleven new members:- Bruce Kirkham - 2 King Orry Place, Glen Vine IM4 4FP James Kirkham - 2 King Orry Place, Glen Vine IM4 4FP Duncan Smith - 51 Barrowule Park, Ramsey IM8 2BP Derek Russell - Westlands, Jurby Rd, Ramsey IM8 2BP Gareth Iball - 7 Honeysuckle Lane, Abbeyfields, Douglas IM2 7DY Gary Smith - 8 Baccellis, Peel IM5 1WZ Graham Thomas - Uppermill Ballanass Rd, Lower Foxdale IM4 3BE Justin Warby - The Lough, Bernahara Rd, Andreas IM7 2EL Samuel Trevor Holt - 7, Westhill Village, Jurby Rd, Ramsey IM8 3TD Tony Conway - 23 Bray Hill, Douglas IM2 5BF Joe Wood - Ballavastyn Cottage, Andreas, IM7 3EG Page 17
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Page 5 and 6: Secretary’s Notes Hi Everyone, Ti
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Page 11 and 12: Bert Houlding: TT Pioneer No doubt
Page 13 and 14: Fred Middleton on his circa 1909/10
Page 15 and 16: The Museum moved to Christian Stree
Page 17: Mike Hailwood won with a speed of 9
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Newsletter No 29 - VMCC - Isle of Man

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