Freddie Dixon
Encyclopedia
Frederick William Dixon was an English motorcycle
racer and racing car driver. He was the designer of the motorcycle and banking sidecar
system. He was also one of the few motorsport competitors to have been successful on two, three and four wheels. He was twice awarded the BRDC Gold Star. Dixon who had the nickname "Flying Freddie" was born at Stockton-on-Tees
, Co. Durham one of eight children of John Dixon 1858- and Martha Dixon (née Agar) 1863-.
After leaving school at the age of thirteen he was employed in a cycle shop but soon moved on to work in a local garage. He acquired his first motorcycle in 1909 and within a year was competing in speed and hill climb events. His first Isle of Man TT
race was in 1912 on a "Cleveland Precision" motorcycle but the machine was not up to the challenge.
During World War I
Freddie spent four years in the Army Service Corps
and finished with the rank of Staff Sergeant
.
After war service he went into business for himself at Park Garage, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough
. During this time he gained many placings in the Isle of Man TT races in various categories throughout 1921
, 1923
, 1924
, 1926
and 1927
.
Freddie was quite an expert at motorcycle and sidecar racing, culminating in first place in the 1923 Isle on Man TT with passenger Walter Denny on a "Douglas"
fitted with his banking sidecar system. This design raised or lowered the sidecar to suit the particular race circuit bends. His Victory in 1927 was on an HRD
Machine as a factory rider, He retired from motorcycle racing in 1928.
In 1932 he appeared on the car racing scene and quickly became renowned for his independently-prepared Riley cars. His achievements in racing cars is as impressive as that on motorcycles. First place in the 1934 BRDC 500 mile handicap race at Brooklands
and in the same year he won third place at Le Mans
with Cyril Paul in a Riley 9. In 1935 he won the BRDC Empire Trophy at Brooklands and also the RAC Tourist Trophy
race at Ards circuit Belfast
. In 1936 he won the Brooklands 500 mile race and with Charles Dodson the RAC Tourist Trophy at Ards, for the second time. His record as the only man to lap Brooklands at 130 mph in a car of less than 2 litres was never broken.
In 1948 he was contacted by the Douglas
motorcycle company to help in the development of their T35 motorcycle which was one of the first real new British post war designs, he redesigned the top half of the engine and these modifications resulted in the new mark 3 Douglas machine.
British Racing Drivers Club gold star winner twice - in 1934 and 1935. In January 1926 he married Margaret Thew at St.Barnabas Church,Middlesbrough. They had one daughter Jean. He died at Reigate
, Surrey
age 64.
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...
racer and racing car driver. He was the designer of the motorcycle and banking sidecar
Sidecar
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.-History:A sidecar appeared in a cartoon by George Moore in the January 7, 1903, issue of the British newspaper Motor Cycling. Three weeks later, a provisional patent was...
system. He was also one of the few motorsport competitors to have been successful on two, three and four wheels. He was twice awarded the BRDC Gold Star. Dixon who had the nickname "Flying Freddie" was born at Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a market town in north east England. It is the major settlement in the unitary authority and borough of Stockton-on-Tees. For ceremonial purposes, the borough is split between County Durham and North Yorkshire as it also incorporates a number of smaller towns including...
, Co. Durham one of eight children of John Dixon 1858- and Martha Dixon (née Agar) 1863-.
After leaving school at the age of thirteen he was employed in a cycle shop but soon moved on to work in a local garage. He acquired his first motorcycle in 1909 and within a year was competing in speed and hill climb events. His first 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...
race was in 1912 on a "Cleveland Precision" motorcycle but the machine was not up to the challenge.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Freddie spent four years in the Army Service Corps
Royal Army Service Corps
The Royal Army Service Corps was a corps of the British Army. It was responsible for land, coastal and lake transport; air despatch; supply of food, water, fuel, and general domestic stores such as clothing, furniture and stationery ; administration of...
and finished with the rank of Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
.
After war service he went into business for himself at Park Garage, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
. During this time he gained many placings in the Isle of Man TT races in various categories throughout 1921
1921 Isle of Man TT
The 1921 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Junior 350 cc race took place on Tuesday 14 June and the Senior 500 cc was on Thursday 16 June.This year AJS redeemed themselves by completing a hat trick, taking the first four places for a total of six of the top ten places in the Junior 350 cc race...
, 1923
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...
, 1924
1924 Isle of Man TT
The 1924 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw the introduction of the Ultra-Lightweight class for motorcycles of 175 cc capacity that was run only twice; this season and in 1925...
, 1926
1926 Isle of Man TT
Further changes occurred in the 1926 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy with the scrapping of the Side-Car TT and Ultra-Lightweight TT Races from the lack of entries. Most of the TT Course had now been tarmacked, including the Snaefell Mountain Section. Another change in 1926 was the ban on alcohol based...
and 1927
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...
.
Freddie was quite an expert at motorcycle and sidecar racing, culminating in first place in the 1923 Isle on Man TT with passenger Walter Denny on a "Douglas"
Douglas (motorcycles)
Douglas was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1907–1957 based in Kingswood, Bristol, owned by the Douglas family, and especially known for its horizontally opposed twin cylinder engined bikes and as manufacturers of speedway machines...
fitted with his banking sidecar system. This design raised or lowered the sidecar to suit the particular race circuit bends. His Victory in 1927 was on an HRD
HRD Motorcycles
HRD Motors Ltd was a British motorcycle manufacturer in the 1920s. It was founded by Howard Raymond Davies. He had worked in motorcycling, and had raced with some success in the mid-twenties, but often not finishing due to unreliability. This inspired him to build a reliable performance motorcycle,...
Machine as a factory rider, He retired from motorcycle racing in 1928.
In 1932 he appeared on the car racing scene and quickly became renowned for his independently-prepared Riley cars. His achievements in racing cars is as impressive as that on motorcycles. First place in the 1934 BRDC 500 mile handicap race at Brooklands
Brooklands
Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England. It opened in 1907, and was the world's first purpose-built motorsport venue, as well as one of Britain's first airfields...
and in the same year he won third place at Le Mans
Le Mans
Le Mans is a city in France, located on the Sarthe River. Traditionally the capital of the province of Maine, it is now the capital of the Sarthe department and the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Le Mans. Le Mans is a part of the Pays de la Loire region.Its inhabitants are called Manceaux...
with Cyril Paul in a Riley 9. In 1935 he won the BRDC Empire Trophy at Brooklands and also the RAC Tourist Trophy
RAC Tourist Trophy
The International Tourist Trophy is an award given by the Royal Automobile Club and awarded semi-annually to the winners of a selected motor racing event each year in the United Kingdom. It was first awarded in 1905 and continues to be awarded to this day, making it the longest lasting trophy in...
race at Ards circuit Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. In 1936 he won the Brooklands 500 mile race and with Charles Dodson the RAC Tourist Trophy at Ards, for the second time. His record as the only man to lap Brooklands at 130 mph in a car of less than 2 litres was never broken.
In 1948 he was contacted by the Douglas
Douglas (motorcycles)
Douglas was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1907–1957 based in Kingswood, Bristol, owned by the Douglas family, and especially known for its horizontally opposed twin cylinder engined bikes and as manufacturers of speedway machines...
motorcycle company to help in the development of their T35 motorcycle which was one of the first real new British post war designs, he redesigned the top half of the engine and these modifications resulted in the new mark 3 Douglas machine.
British Racing Drivers Club gold star winner twice - in 1934 and 1935. In January 1926 he married Margaret Thew at St.Barnabas Church,Middlesbrough. They had one daughter Jean. He died at Reigate
Reigate
Reigate is a historic market town in Surrey, England, at the foot of the North Downs, and in the London commuter belt. It is one of the main constituents of the Borough of Reigate and Banstead...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
age 64.