Johnny Brittain
Encyclopedia
Johnny Brittain became famous as a British
motorcycle trials
rider. His father Vic Brittain was also a famous trials rider and winner of the British Experts Trial in 1936 and 1938.
Originally riding for DMW
and then James motorcycles
, Johnny beat the three James works riders in his first International Six Days Enduro
in the 125cc class. He moved to Royal Enfield
on the Royal Enfield Bullet
350cc. 1950 was his first full year riding the Bullet when he won the first class gold award in the Scottish Six Days Trial
, a nine hundred mile endurance competition.
Overall Johnny Brittain won more than 50 trade sponsored championship events. These wins included the tough Scott
and British Experts trials, which he won twice. In 1956 he won the ACU star and was runner up or third place in several other competitions. Johnny competed in the International Six Days Trials for fifteen consecutive years, winning 13 gold medals. He was a member of the last British team to win the event in Czechoslovakia
in 1953.
He also followed his father Vic's success at the British Experts Trial, winning after completing two 30 mile laps of the course in Stroud
, Gloucestershire
in blizzard conditions.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
motorcycle trials
Motorcycle trials
Motorcycle trials, also termed observed trials, is a non-speed event on specialized motorcycles. The sport is most popular in the United Kingdom and Spain, though there are participants around the globe....
rider. His father Vic Brittain was also a famous trials rider and winner of the British Experts Trial in 1936 and 1938.
Originally riding for DMW
DMW Motorcycles
DMW Motorcycles was a British motorcycle manufacturer. Based in Wolverhampton, DMW was founded in 1940. The company took over Ambassador Motorcycles in 1963 and continued production until they closed the company in 1965. Although DMW ceased motorcycle production in 1971, it was noted for trials...
and then James motorcycles
James Cycle Co
The James Cycle Co Ltd., Greet, Birmingham, England, was one of many famous British cycle and motorcycle makers centred around the English Midlands, particularly Birmingham...
, Johnny beat the three James works riders in his first International Six Days Enduro
International Six Days Enduro
The International Six Days Enduro is the oldest 'off road' motorcycle event on the FIM Calendar.The ISDE was first held in 1913 at Carlisle, England. It has occurred annually, apart from interruptions due to World War I and World War II, at various locations throughout the world. The early...
in the 125cc class. He moved to Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
on the Royal Enfield Bullet
Royal Enfield Bullet
The Royal Enfield Bullet was originally a British overhead valve single cylinder 4-stroke motorcycle made by Royal Enfield in Redditch, West Midlands, but now produced by Royal Enfield Motors, the successor to the British company, at Chennai , Tamil Nadu in India...
350cc. 1950 was his first full year riding the Bullet when he won the first class gold award in the Scottish Six Days Trial
Scottish Six Days Trial
The Scottish Six Days Trial is an internationally recognised Motorcycle trials competition, which has been running since 1909 making it the oldest motorcycle trials event in the world...
, a nine hundred mile endurance competition.
Overall Johnny Brittain won more than 50 trade sponsored championship events. These wins included the tough Scott
Scott Trial
The Scott Trial is a British motorcycle trials competition run over an off road course of approximately 70 miles. One of the most challenging trials events in the UK its appeal is to clubman riders as well as international professional riders...
and British Experts trials, which he won twice. In 1956 he won the ACU star and was runner up or third place in several other competitions. Johnny competed in the International Six Days Trials for fifteen consecutive years, winning 13 gold medals. He was a member of the last British team to win the event in Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
in 1953.
He also followed his father Vic's success at the British Experts Trial, winning after completing two 30 mile laps of the course in Stroud
Stroud
Stroud a town and civil parish in the county of Gloucestershire, England.Stroud may also refer to:*Stroud, New South Wales, Australia*Stroud, Ontario, Canada*Stroud , Gloucestershire, UK*Stroud...
, Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
in blizzard conditions.