H. G. Tyrell Smith
Encyclopedia
Henry George Tyrell-Smith (1907 – 1982) 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. He also raced in The Swedish Grand Prix in Saxtorp 1933-36.
, and by the next year rode for Rudge, and continued to do so until 1935
.
In the 1929
IOM Senior TT
Tyrell-Smith began in the lead, and by the fourth lap was more than three minutes ahead. Then he crashed at Glen Helen, allowing a number of bikes to pass before he could rejoin, and this put Tim Hunt, on a Norton
, in front. When Hunt had problems, Sunbeam's
Charlie Dodson moved into the lead. Interest then began to focus on Tyrell-Smith, who, riding furiously, was making up time on the leaders. Dodson won, with his team-mate Alec Bennett
more than four minutes behind, and Tyrell-Smith only 50 seconds behind him, taking third. When he was examined after the race, it was found that he had leg injuries and three cracked ribs. The Rudge team of those years consisted of competition manager Graham Walker, with Ernie Nott, and H.G. Tyrell Smith.
Tyrell-Smith won the 1930 500cc European Championship for Rudge. In 1933
he rode an OK-Supreme
in the Lightweight. In 1934
he rode an AJS
in the Senior, and the 1935
Junior, having his last TT ride for Rudge in the 1935 Senior. From 1936
to 1939
he rode for Excelsior
. The bike Tyrell-Smith rode in the 1936 Lightweight was a four-valve OHC radial head Excelsior with two carburettors. He finished second and went on to win the 250cc European Championship. In the late 1930s he worked for Excelsior motor-cycle company and when the War broke out, joined the British Army
and served in the D-Day
landings with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
(REME). After the war, a career followed with Girling Ltd as Sales Engineer supplying suspension units to the British Motorcycle industry
In the sixties he was regularly seen at the Isle of Man TT races acompanying the Girling racing department in his capacity as representative to the motorcycle industry but also helping to provide the support to the sport that he loved. "Tyrell" took retirement in 1972. On 30 September 1956 the first Coventry Parade - then known as the Coventry–Birmingham–Coventry Veteran Motorcycle Run was held. There were 61 entries,
including "H.G. Tyrrell (sic.) Smith, successful TT rider of the 20’s and 30’s"
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
motorcycle
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...
road racer
Road racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
. He was born in Co Dublin and studied at Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
for a BSc degree. He raced at the 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...
from 1927 to 1939, and between 1929 and 1936 competed in the German Grand Prix. He also raced in The Swedish Grand Prix in Saxtorp 1933-36.
Background
Henry's first motor-cycle was an ex War Department Douglas. From 1924 to 1929 he studied for Engineering Degree at Trinity College Dublin. From 1936 to 1939 he worked for the Experimental Department at Excelsior motor-cycles. From 1939 to 1942 he was with the Bristol Aeroplane Co working on single cylinder test stands. In 1942 he received a Direct Officer Commission for REME. He was with the Workshop Office for Guards Armoured Division during D-Day landings and Normandy. In 1945 he was promoted to Major as a Workshop Control Officer in an engine repair shop at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg. After the war he worked in the Experimental Department for Triumph Motorcycles.Motorcycle racing career
Tyrell-Smith started out on a Douglas, and finished second in the 1926 Leinster 200. He rode a Triumph in the 1927 Isle of Man TT1927 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...
, and by the next year rode for Rudge, and continued to do so until 1935
1935 Isle of Man TT
For the 1935 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, Stanley Woods provided another surprise by moving again, from Husqvarna to Moto Guzzi.The 1935 Junior TT Race provided a Junior TT double win for Jimmie Guthrie at an average race speed of and Norton with a 1-2-3 race win with Walter Rusk and "Crasher"...
.
In the 1929
1929 Isle of Man TT
For the 1929 Isle of Man TT races the Velocette marque had high expectations of another win in the Junior TT Race. Despite the early lead of Alec Bennett, riding a Velocette, and Wal Handley, now riding an AJS motor-cycle, it was Freddie Hicks that led from the third lap and won the 1929 Junior TT...
IOM Senior TT
Senior TT
The Senior Tourist Trophy 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. The Senior TT is the Blue Riband event of the festival and takes place on the Friday of race week. The Marquis de Mouzilly St. Mars...
Tyrell-Smith began in the lead, and by the fourth lap was more than three minutes ahead. Then he crashed at Glen Helen, allowing a number of bikes to pass before he could rejoin, and this put Tim Hunt, on a 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...
, in front. When Hunt had problems, Sunbeam's
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...
Charlie Dodson moved into the lead. Interest then began to focus on Tyrell-Smith, who, riding furiously, was making up time on the leaders. Dodson won, with his team-mate Alec Bennett
Alec Bennett
Alec Bennett was an Irish-Canadian motorcycle racer famous for motorcycle Grand Prix wins and five career wins at the Isle of Man TT Races.-Biography:...
more than four minutes behind, and Tyrell-Smith only 50 seconds behind him, taking third. When he was examined after the race, it was found that he had leg injuries and three cracked ribs. The Rudge team of those years consisted of competition manager Graham Walker, with Ernie Nott, and H.G. Tyrell Smith.
Tyrell-Smith won the 1930 500cc European Championship for Rudge. In 1933
1933 Isle of Man TT
The winning ways of Stanley Woods continued with the 1933 Isle of Man TT winning the Junior TT Race at an average speed of and the Norton marque filling the first three places with Tim Hunt and Jimmie Guthrie....
he rode an 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:...
in the Lightweight. In 1934
1934 Isle of Man TT
For the 1934 Isle of Man TT Races despite the winning of four TT Races in 2 years, Stanley Woods parted with Norton motor-cycles over the issue of prize money and race tactics and joined Husqvarna alongside Ernie Nott....
he rode 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...
in the Senior, and the 1935
1935 Isle of Man TT
For the 1935 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, Stanley Woods provided another surprise by moving again, from Husqvarna to Moto Guzzi.The 1935 Junior TT Race provided a Junior TT double win for Jimmie Guthrie at an average race speed of and Norton with a 1-2-3 race win with Walter Rusk and "Crasher"...
Junior, having his last TT ride for Rudge in the 1935 Senior. From 1936
1936 Isle of Man TT
The 1936 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Norton rider Jimmie Guthrie win the Senior, and come fifth in the Junior. The Junior was won by Freddie Frith in his first year on the Norton team, and the Lightweight was won by Bob Foster on a New Imperial....
to 1939
1939 Isle of Man TT
The 1939 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the last race festival until 1947 due to the interruption of World War II. It was the last of ten TT victories for the 34 year old Stanley Woods in which he won the Junior TT on a Velocette at 83.19 mph and came 4th in the Senior TT race...
he rode for Excelsior
Excelsior Motor Company
Excelsior, based in Coventry, was a British bicycle, motorcycle and car maker. They were Britain’s first motorcycle manufacturer, starting production of their own ‘motor-bicycle’ in 1896...
. The bike Tyrell-Smith rode in the 1936 Lightweight was a four-valve OHC radial head Excelsior with two carburettors. He finished second and went on to win the 250cc European Championship. In the late 1930s he worked for Excelsior motor-cycle company and when the War broke out, joined the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
and served in the D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
landings with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers is a corps of the British Army that has responsibility for the maintenance, servicing and inspection of almost every electrical and mechanical piece of equipment within the British Army from Challenger II main battle tanks and WAH64 Apache...
(REME). After the war, a career followed with Girling Ltd as Sales Engineer supplying suspension units to the British Motorcycle industry
In the sixties he was regularly seen at the Isle of Man TT races acompanying the Girling racing department in his capacity as representative to the motorcycle industry but also helping to provide the support to the sport that he loved. "Tyrell" took retirement in 1972. On 30 September 1956 the first Coventry Parade - then known as the Coventry–Birmingham–Coventry Veteran Motorcycle Run was held. There were 61 entries,
including "H.G. Tyrrell (sic.) Smith, successful TT rider of the 20’s and 30’s"
Isle of Man TT Race Career
| Year | Placing | Race | Motorcycle | Average Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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... |
13th | Senior TT | Triumph | 60.99 mph |
| 1928 1928 Isle of Man TT In the 1928 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy the newly developed 'positive-stop' foot gear-change by Velocette gave Alec Bennett his fifth TT Race win in the 1928 Junior, in the time of 3 hours, 50 minutes and 52 seconds, at an average speed of , and setting a lap record at an average speed of... |
4th | Senior TT | Rudge | 60.52 mph |
| 1929 1929 Isle of Man TT For the 1929 Isle of Man TT races the Velocette marque had high expectations of another win in the Junior TT Race. Despite the early lead of Alec Bennett, riding a Velocette, and Wal Handley, now riding an AJS motor-cycle, it was Freddie Hicks that led from the third lap and won the 1929 Junior TT... |
3rd | Senior TT | Rudge | 70.25 mph |
| 1930 1930 Isle of Man TT The 1930 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was dominated by the Rudge marque. Despite problems in practice for Rudge and the new George Hicks designed four-valve over-head valve motor-cycles the 1930 Junior TT was a closely contested race. At the end of the first lap, Charlie Dodson riding for Sunbeam led... |
6th | Senior TT | Rudge | 71.11 mph |
| 1930 1930 Isle of Man TT The 1930 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was dominated by the Rudge marque. Despite problems in practice for Rudge and the new George Hicks designed four-valve over-head valve motor-cycles the 1930 Junior TT was a closely contested race. At the end of the first lap, Charlie Dodson riding for Sunbeam led... |
1st | Junior TT | Rudge | 71.08 mph |
| 1931 1931 Isle of Man TT 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... |
2nd | Lightweight TT | Rudge | 68.25 mph |
| 1932 1932 Isle of Man TT The 1932 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race meeting was watched by Prince George, Duke of Kent the first royal visitor to the Isle of Man TT Races. The 1932 Junior TT Race was won by Stanley Woods riding a Norton at an average race speed of from Wal Handley and Tyrell Smith riding for the Rudge factory... |
8th | Senior TT | Rudge | 75.70 mph |
| 1932 1932 Isle of Man TT The 1932 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy race meeting was watched by Prince George, Duke of Kent the first royal visitor to the Isle of Man TT Races. The 1932 Junior TT Race was won by Stanley Woods riding a Norton at an average race speed of from Wal Handley and Tyrell Smith riding for the Rudge factory... |
3rd | Junior TT | Rudge | 74.02 mph |
| 1933 1933 Isle of Man TT The winning ways of Stanley Woods continued with the 1933 Isle of Man TT winning the Junior TT Race at an average speed of and the Norton marque filling the first three places with Tim Hunt and Jimmie Guthrie.... |
9th | Senior TT | Rudge | 75.34 mph |
| 1933 1933 Isle of Man TT The winning ways of Stanley Woods continued with the 1933 Isle of Man TT winning the Junior TT Race at an average speed of and the Norton marque filling the first three places with Tim Hunt and Jimmie Guthrie.... |
5th | Junior TT | Rudge | 75.46 mph |
| 1933 1933 Isle of Man TT The winning ways of Stanley Woods continued with the 1933 Isle of Man TT winning the Junior TT Race at an average speed of and the Norton marque filling the first three places with Tim Hunt and Jimmie Guthrie.... |
11th | Lightweight TT | 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:... |
65.62 mph |
| 1934 1934 Isle of Man TT For the 1934 Isle of Man TT Races despite the winning of four TT Races in 2 years, Stanley Woods parted with Norton motor-cycles over the issue of prize money and race tactics and joined Husqvarna alongside Ernie Nott.... |
7th | Senior TT | 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... |
70.56 mph |
| 1935 1935 Isle of Man TT For the 1935 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, Stanley Woods provided another surprise by moving again, from Husqvarna to Moto Guzzi.The 1935 Junior TT Race provided a Junior TT double win for Jimmie Guthrie at an average race speed of and Norton with a 1-2-3 race win with Walter Rusk and "Crasher"... |
10th | Junior TT | AJS | 75.21 mph |
| 1935 1935 Isle of Man TT For the 1935 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, Stanley Woods provided another surprise by moving again, from Husqvarna to Moto Guzzi.The 1935 Junior TT Race provided a Junior TT double win for Jimmie Guthrie at an average race speed of and Norton with a 1-2-3 race win with Walter Rusk and "Crasher"... |
2nd | Lightweight TT | Rudge | 70.67 mph |
| 1936 1936 Isle of Man TT The 1936 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Norton rider Jimmie Guthrie win the Senior, and come fifth in the Junior. The Junior was won by Freddie Frith in his first year on the Norton team, and the Lightweight was won by Bob Foster on a New Imperial.... |
2nd | Lightweight TT | Excelsior Excelsior Motor Company Excelsior, based in Coventry, was a British bicycle, motorcycle and car maker. They were Britain’s first motorcycle manufacturer, starting production of their own ‘motor-bicycle’ in 1896... |
72.51 mph |
| 1937 1937 Isle of Man TT The 1937 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Freddie Frith break the 90+ mph lap for the first time during the Senior TT with a speed of 90.27 mph on his Norton beating Stanley Woods by only 15 seconds... |
7th | Junior TT | Excelsior | 77.25 mph |
| 1938 1938 Isle of Man TT The 1938 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw the Senior TT lap record of 90.27 mph set by Freddie Frith the previous year broken in 1938 when Harold Daniell completed a lap at 91.00 mph on his Norton, a record which would stand for 12 years. He managed to win, beating Stanley Woods by only... |
3rd | Lightweight | Excelsior | 73.62 mph |
| 1938 1939 Isle of Man TT The 1939 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the last race festival until 1947 due to the interruption of World War II. It was the last of ten TT victories for the 34 year old Stanley Woods in which he won the Junior TT on a Velocette at 83.19 mph and came 4th in the Senior TT race... |
13th | Junior TT | Excelsior | 76.69 mph |
| 1939 1939 Isle of Man TT The 1939 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the last race festival until 1947 due to the interruption of World War II. It was the last of ten TT victories for the 34 year old Stanley Woods in which he won the Junior TT on a Velocette at 83.19 mph and came 4th in the Senior TT race... |
3rd | Lightweight TT | Excelsior | 71.91 mph |
- DNF in 19311931 Isle of Man TTThe 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...
Junior and Senior. - DNF in 19361936 Isle of Man TTThe 1936 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Norton rider Jimmie Guthrie win the Senior, and come fifth in the Junior. The Junior was won by Freddie Frith in his first year on the Norton team, and the Lightweight was won by Bob Foster on a New Imperial....
Junior (Excelsior)- Retired Lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa. - DNF in 19371937 Isle of Man TTThe 1937 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy saw Freddie Frith break the 90+ mph lap for the first time during the Senior TT with a speed of 90.27 mph on his Norton beating Stanley Woods by only 15 seconds...
Lightweight(Excelsior) - Retired Lap 6 at Creg-ny-Baa with broken connecting-rod. - DNF in 19391939 Isle of Man TTThe 1939 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy was the last race festival until 1947 due to the interruption of World War II. It was the last of ten TT victories for the 34 year old Stanley Woods in which he won the Junior TT on a Velocette at 83.19 mph and came 4th in the Senior TT race...
Senior.
| TT Career Summary | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finishing Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | DNF |
| Number of times | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
German Motorcycle GP
- In 1929 Henry Tyrell-Smith won the 500 cc class at the German motorcycle Grand PrixGerman motorcycle Grand PrixThe German motorcycle Grand Prix, first held in 1925, is since 1952 part of the Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Championship.- History :The first two Großer Preis von Deutschland races were held at Berlin's AVUS before moving to the new the purpose-built Nürburgring which was used in its full...
- In 1931 the 350 cc Grand Prix
- In 1934 the 250 cc Grand Prix
- In 1936 the 250 cc Grand Prix
Other race wins
- 1931
- 250cc Dutch Grand Prix
- 1932
- 350cc Ulster Grand Prix - Rudge 77.89 mph
- 350cc Brooklands Grand Prix
- 1933
- 500cc Leinster 200
- 1934
- 250cc Belgium Grand Prix
- 1936
- 350cc Dublin 100
- 1937
- 350cc Dublin 100
- 250cc Leinster 200
- 1938
- 250cc North West 200
External links
- race results
- Isle of Man TT winners
- Mountain Course map
- http://www.reisemosaik.at/Oldtimer/Krackowizer_Motorcycles_M_R.htm
- Saxtorp Grand Prix
- Henry Tyrell-Smith's rootsweb profile