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 Race at a record average speed of 69.71 mph (112.19 km/h) and setting a new race lap record of 31 minutes and 5 seconds an average speed of 70.95 mph (114.18 km/h). Two times European motorcycle champion Cecil Ashby suffered serious injuries during the race, and died at Noble's Hospital several hours later.[1]
As with 1928 TT Race meeting the 1929 Lightweight TT Race produced another first-time winner with Syd Crabtree on an Excelsior motor-cycle. The 1929 Lightweight TT Race was led for 5 laps by Pietro Ghersi on a Motor Guzzi competing in his first TT race since the disqualification in the Guzzi Incident of 1926. Despite Pietro Ghersi setting the fastest lap at an average speed of 66.63 mph (107.23 km/h), engine failure gave the win to Syd Crabtree.
During the 1929 Senior TT Race a number of riders crashed at Greeba Castle after Wal Handley clipped the hedge and crashed. This included Jimmy Simpson, Jack Amott riding for Rudge and Doug Lamb who later died of his injuries at Noble's Hospital.[2] The early leader of the 1929 Senior TT Race was H. G. Tyrell Smith riding a Rudge but crashed on 3 lap at Glen Helen. Despite cracked ribs, Tyrell Smith continued but could not match the pace of the new leader Tim Hunt riding a Norton motor-cycle. From lap 5 Charlie Dodson riding a Sunbeam replaced Tim Hunt as the leader, setting an overall lap record of 30 minutes and 47 seconds, for an average of 73.55 mph (118.37 km/h). In better weather conditions than 1928 Charlie Dodson completed a Senior TT double by winning the 7 lap (264.11 miles) 1929 Senior TT Race in 3 hours, 39 minutes and 59 seconds at an average speed of 72.05 mph (115.95 km/h).
