1931 Isle of Man TT
Encyclopedia
The 1931 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy
was again dominated by the battle between Rudge, Sunbeam
and Norton
motor-cycles.
The 1931 Junior TT
Race was run at a very fast pace by Jimmie Simpson riding for Norton who completed the first lap in 30 minutes and 49 seconds and was 6 second ahead of fellow Norton team-mate Stanley Woods
in 2nd place and 18 seconds ahead of Freddie Hicks in 3rd place riding an AJS
motor-cycle. Although, Jimmie Simpson was able to hold on to the lead for the next 5 lap, he was slowed by having to refuel every two laps because of carburetor problems. Fellow, Norton team-mate, Tim Hunt recovered from a slow first lap with a loose plug-lead to set the fastest lap on lap 4 of 30 minutes and 5 seconds an average race speed of 75.27 mi/h and steadlly moves-up the leaderboard. Further, carburetor problems causes Jimmie Simpson to drops off the leaderboard and eventually finishes in 8th place. This allows the 1931 Junior TT Race to be won by Tim Hunt riding for Norton, in 3 hours 34 minutes and 21 seconds, at an average race speed of 73.94 mi/h, from Norton team-mates Jimmie Guthrie, and Ernie Nott riding a Rudge motor-cycle.
The 1931 Lightweight TT
was dominated by the works Rudge motor-cycles and the race was lap 1 by Ernie Nott by 45 seconds from Rudge team-mates, H. G. Tyrell Smith
and Graham Walker in 3rd place. By lap 6, Ernie Nott had a lead of 4 minutes over the rest of the field, until on the last lap he slid of just below the Mountain Mile and finished in 4th place steadying a damaged push-rod with his hand. This provided a first and only TT Race win for Graham Walker riding a Rudge at an average race speed of 68.98 mi/h.
The highly anticipated 1931 Senior TT Race which was again set to be dominated by Rudge and Norton motor-cycles. However, it proved to dominated again by Norton and Jimmie Simpson and Jimmie Guthrie, this time Guthrie led on lap 1 by 1 second from Jimmie Simpson and Norton team-mate Stanley Woods by 17 seconds in 3rd place. On lap 3, the 1931 Senior TT Race produced the first 80 mi/h lap by Jimmie Simpson on a Norton motor-cycle in 28 minutes and 1 seconds an average speed of 80.82 mi/h. Despite taking over the lead from Guthrie, Jimmie Simpson crashed on lap 4 at Ballaugh Bridge and the bike ending-up in the river. Despite re-taking the lead, Jimmie Guthrie slips-off at the Governor's Bridge on lap 5, but contuines to finish in 2nd place at an average speed of 77.34 mi/h. Fellow Norton team-mate Stanley Woods finishes in 3rd place with a glove in the petrol-tank filler. The fast paced and incident packed 1931 Senior TT Race provided Tim Hunt with a popular Junior/Senior double win in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 28 seconds for the 7 lap (264.11 mile) race at an average race speed of 77.9 mi/h. The winner of the 1929 Junior Race, Freddie Hicks crashed on lap 5 at Union Mills and was killed.
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...
was again dominated by the battle between Rudge, Sunbeam
Sunbeam (motorcycle)
Sunbeam was a British manufacturing marque that produced bicycles and motorcycles from 1912 to 1956. Originally independent, it was ultimately owned by BSA...
and 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...
motor-cycles.
The 1931 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 was run at a very fast pace by Jimmie Simpson riding for Norton who completed the first lap in 30 minutes and 49 seconds and was 6 second ahead of fellow Norton team-mate 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 2nd place and 18 seconds ahead of Freddie Hicks in 3rd place 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. Although, Jimmie Simpson was able to hold on to the lead for the next 5 lap, he was slowed by having to refuel every two laps because of carburetor problems. Fellow, Norton team-mate, Tim Hunt recovered from a slow first lap with a loose plug-lead to set the fastest lap on lap 4 of 30 minutes and 5 seconds an average race speed of 75.27 mi/h and steadlly moves-up the leaderboard. Further, carburetor problems causes Jimmie Simpson to drops off the leaderboard and eventually finishes in 8th place. This allows the 1931 Junior TT Race to be won by Tim Hunt riding for Norton, in 3 hours 34 minutes and 21 seconds, at an average race speed of 73.94 mi/h, from Norton team-mates Jimmie Guthrie, and Ernie Nott riding a Rudge motor-cycle.
The 1931 Lightweight TT
Lightweight TT
The Lightweight TT was a motorcycle road race that was part of the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual motor-cycle event at the end of May and beginning of June. Between 1949 and 1976, the Lightweight TT Race was part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. The event was dropped from the 2005...
was dominated by the works Rudge motor-cycles and the race was lap 1 by Ernie Nott by 45 seconds from Rudge team-mates, H. G. Tyrell Smith
H. G. Tyrell Smith
Henry George Tyrell-Smith was an Irish motorcycle road racer. He was born in Co Dublin and studied at Trinity College, Dublin for a BSc degree. He raced at the Isle of Man TT from 1927 to 1939, and between 1929 and 1936 competed in the German Grand Prix...
and Graham Walker in 3rd place. By lap 6, Ernie Nott had a lead of 4 minutes over the rest of the field, until on the last lap he slid of just below the Mountain Mile and finished in 4th place steadying a damaged push-rod with his hand. This provided a first and only TT Race win for Graham Walker riding a Rudge at an average race speed of 68.98 mi/h.
The highly anticipated 1931 Senior TT Race which was again set to be dominated by Rudge and Norton motor-cycles. However, it proved to dominated again by Norton and Jimmie Simpson and Jimmie Guthrie, this time Guthrie led on lap 1 by 1 second from Jimmie Simpson and Norton team-mate Stanley Woods by 17 seconds in 3rd place. On lap 3, the 1931 Senior TT Race produced the first 80 mi/h lap by Jimmie Simpson on a Norton motor-cycle in 28 minutes and 1 seconds an average speed of 80.82 mi/h. Despite taking over the lead from Guthrie, Jimmie Simpson crashed on lap 4 at Ballaugh Bridge and the bike ending-up in the river. Despite re-taking the lead, Jimmie Guthrie slips-off at the Governor's Bridge on lap 5, but contuines to finish in 2nd place at an average speed of 77.34 mi/h. Fellow Norton team-mate Stanley Woods finishes in 3rd place with a glove in the petrol-tank filler. The fast paced and incident packed 1931 Senior TT Race provided Tim Hunt with a popular Junior/Senior double win in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 28 seconds for the 7 lap (264.11 mile) race at an average race speed of 77.9 mi/h. The winner of the 1929 Junior Race, Freddie Hicks crashed on lap 5 at Union Mills and was killed.
Senior TT (500cc)
| Rank | Rider | Team | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percy Hunt | 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... |
77.9 mi/h | 3.23.28.0 |
| 2 |  Jimmie GuthrieJimmie Guthrie Andrew James "Jimmie" Guthrie was a Scottish motorcycle racer famous for 19 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and 3 victories in the North West 200 and 6 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races in his career.-Biography:... |
Norton | 77.34 | 3.24.57.0 |
| 3 |  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... |
Norton | 76.35 | 3.27.36.0 |
| 4 | Ernie Nott | Rudge | 76.32 | 3.27.41.0 |
| 5 | Graham Walker | Rudge | 73.08 | 3.24.14.0 |
| 6 | E. A. (Ted) Mellors Edward Ambrose Mellors Edward Ambrose Mellors , born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, was an international motorcycle road racer who rode in the Manx Grand Prix in 1927 and the Isle of Man TT from 1928 to 1939... |
NSU NSU Motorenwerke AG NSU Motorenwerke AG, normally just NSU, was a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles and pedal cycles, founded in 1873. It was acquired by Volkswagen Group in 1969... |
73.18 | 3.36.36.0 |
| 7 | Arthur Tyler | Raleigh Raleigh Bicycle Company The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a bicycle manufacturer originally based in Nottingham, UK. It is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. From 1921 to 1935 Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of the Reliant Company.-Early years:Raleigh's history... |
72.61 | 3.38.18.0 |
| 8 |  Arthur Simcock |
OK-Supreme OK-Supreme OK-Supreme was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1899 to 1939 located in Birmingham. Grass-track racing versions of the machines continued to be available until 1946.-History:... |
72.48 | 3.38.40.0 |
| 9 |  Jimmy G Lind |
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... |
71.64 | 3.41.14.0 |
| 10 | Sid Gleave | SGS | 71.16 | 3.42.45.0 |
Junior TT (350cc)
| Rank | Rider | Team | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Percy Hunt | Norton | 73.94 mi/h | 3.34.21.0 |
| 2 | Jimmie Guthrie Jimmie Guthrie Andrew James "Jimmie" Guthrie was a Scottish motorcycle racer famous for 19 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and 3 victories in the North West 200 and 6 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races in his career.-Biography:... |
Norton | 72.90 | 3:37.26.0 |
| 3 | Ernie Nott | Rudge | 72.37 | 3:39.01.0 |
| 4 | 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... |
Norton | 71.39 | 3:42.01.0 |
| 5 | Graham Walker | Rudge | 70.98 | 3:43.19.0 |
| 6 | Charlie Dodson | Excelsior | 69.58 | 3:47.47.0 |
| 7 | A G Mitchell | Velocette | 69.46 | 3:48.11.0 |
| 8 | Jimmie Simpson | Norton | 69.06 | 3:49.30.0 |
| 9 | George Rowley | 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... |
69.05 | 3:49.32.0 |
| 10 | E. A. (Ted) Mellors | New Imperial New Imperial Motors Ltd New Imperial was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by Norman Downes in Birmingham, between 1887 and 1901, and became New Imperial Motors Ltd in 1912, when serious production commenced. New Imperial made innovative motorcycles that employed unit construction and sprung heel frames long... |
69.02 | 3:49.38.0 |
Lightweight TT (250cc)
| Rank | Rider | Team | Speed | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Graham Walker | Rudge | 68.98 mi/h | 3.49.47.0 |
| 2 | H. G. Tyrell Smith H. G. Tyrell Smith Henry George Tyrell-Smith was an Irish motorcycle road racer. He was born in Co Dublin and studied at Trinity College, Dublin for a BSc degree. He raced at the Isle of Man TT from 1927 to 1939, and between 1929 and 1936 competed in the German Grand Prix... |
Rudge | 68.26 | 3.52.13.0 |
| 3 | E. A. (Ted) Mellors | New Imperial | 66.84 | 3.57.08.0 |
| 4 | Ernie Nott | Rudge | 66.72 | 3.57.34.0 |
| 5 | Frank A Longman | OK-Supreme OK-Supreme OK-Supreme was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1899 to 1939 located in Birmingham. Grass-track racing versions of the machines continued to be available until 1946.-History:... |
65.99 | 4.00.11.0 |
| 6 |  Mario Ghersi |
New Imperial | 65.62 | 4.01.33.0 |
| 7 | S M Williams | New Imperial | 65.49 | 4.02.01.0 |
| 8 | C. W. Johnston |
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... |
64.6 | 4.05.24.0 |
| 9 | C E Needham | OK-Supreme | 63.32 | 4.10.19.0 |
| 10 | C B Taylor | OK-Supreme | 63.27 | 4.10.39.0 |