1911 Isle of Man TT
The 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy races took place for the first time over the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. The whole organisation of the races was given over to the Auto-Cycle Union (ACU), which announced the use of the longer mountain course with a four lap (150 mile) Junior race on Friday 30 June, and five laps (189 mile) for the Senior race on Monday 3 July. In only five years the TT races had matured and commercialism had set-in. Grandstands were built by the Douglas Corporation in what had been popular and free vantage points in Douglas, to the displeasure of the public.
| 1911 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy | |
|---|---|
Oliver Godfrey on winning Indian racer. | |
| Date | June 30, July 3, 1911 |
| Location | Douglas, Isle of Man |
| Course | Mountain Course,(Four Inch Course) 37.5 mi (60.39 km) |
| Organiser | Auto-Cycle Union |
| Clerk | J.R. Nisbet |
| Junior TT | |
| First | Percy Evans, Humber |
| Second | Harry Collier, Matchless |
| Third | Harold Cox, Forward |
| Fastest lap | |
| Percy Evans 53min. 24sec. 42.13 mph (New record) | |
| Senior TT | |
| First | Oliver Godfrey, Indian |
| Second | Charles Franklin, Indian |
| Third | Arthur Moorhouse, Indian |
| Fastest lap | |
| Frank Philipp, Scott 44min. 52sec. 50.11 mph (New record) | |
Preparations for this new, challenging course that meant an eight-mile (13 km) uphill climb from Ramsey to Brandywell prompted the manufacturers to devise methods of modifying their mainly single-gear machines to cope with the Snaefell mountain road not once, but several times. Harry Collier, on the single-cylinder Matchless, and Percy J. Evans fought for first place in the Junior event. In the Senior event, British pride and prestige was dented when the Indians took the first three places. Charlie Collier crossed the finish line second on his Matchless, but was disqualified for refuelling outside of the designated area.
On Friday, June 27, 1911, the first fatal accident in connection with the Tourist Trophy races happened. While practicing for the forthcoming race, Victor Surridge was taking a difficult corner on Cregwilly’s Hill near Glen Helen section of the course, dashing into a hedge and breaking his neck. He was nineteen years of age.