1920 Isle of Man TT
# 1920 Isle of Man TT

The 1920 Isle of Man TT races was the first races to take place following the end of World War I. Official practice sessions started on 31 May with the races taking place on 15 and 17 June 1920.

The 350cc Junior TT race was won by Cyril Williams riding an AJS motor-cycle and the 250cc Lightweight class by R. O. Clark with a Levis machine. The first post-war Senior TT was won by Tommy de la Hay with a 500c Sunbeam bike.

## Races

### Junior TT 350cc race

The Junior TT race was initially led by Eric Williams, the winner of the 1914 Junior TT race riding an AJS and set a new Junior lap record of 44 minutes and 6 seconds, an average speed of 51.36 mph. A mechanical retirement for Eric Williams allowed Cyril Williams also riding an AJS to build up an impressive lead of 20 minutes. However, Cyril Williams hit gear-box problems at the Creg-ny-Baa corner on the last lap and free-wheeled and pushed to the finish-line located at the Nobles Park playing fields in the town of Douglas. The winning margin for Williams was 9 minutes and 50 seconds from Jack Watson-Bourne, riding for Blackburne motorcycles in 4 hours, 37 minutes and 57 seconds, at an average race speed of 40.74 mph.

### Lightweight TT 250cc race

The Lightweight class within Junior TT race was won by R. O. Clark riding a Levis and he may have won the event overall but was thrown from his Levis motor-cycle at the Creg-ny-Baa after a puncture on the last lap. After completing the race on a bent front wheel-rim he was detained in Nobles Hospital after the race with physical exhaustion.

### Senior TT 500 race

The Senior TT race was won by Tommy de la Hay riding a Sunbeam at an average race speed of 51.79 mph from local Isle of Man competitor Duggie Brown riding a Norton. A new lap record was set by George Dance riding a Sunbeam of 40 minutes and 43 seconds, an average speed of 55.62 mph. AJS thought they could repeat the success of the 1914 Junior TT with a newly developed 2.75 hp (2.05 kW) ohv-engined machine. While Cyril Williams won the Junior race for AJS, H. R. Davies, also on the AJS team, retired from both races with engine trouble.

### Race awards and classes

The 1920 Junior TT race included for the first time a new Lightweight TT class for motorcycles of 250 cc engine capacity. R. O. Clark riding for the Levis marque finished in 4th place overall and was within the 30 minute limit for The Motor Cycle Cup Trophy for the smaller 250cc motor-cycles.

## Race results

### Junior TT 350cc

Held on 15 June 1920, at 9:30 am over a distance of 188.75 miles (5 laps of 37.75 miles each), limited to machines of cylinder capacity not exceeding 350cc., with a class for 250 cc. engines run concurrently for The Motor Cycle cup. Out of 32 entries, comprising 8 two-strokes, 16 four-stroke Singles, 7 Flat Twins and 1 V Twin, twenty-four started the race and only eleven finished.

Held on June 15, at 9:31 am over a distance of 188.75 miles (5 laps of 37.75 miles each), limited to machines of cylinder capacity not exceeding 350cc., with a class for 250 cc. engines run concurrently for The Motor Cycle cup. Out of 32 entries, comprising 8 two-strokes, 16 four-stroke Singles, 7 Flat Twins and 1 V Twin, twenty-four started the race and only eleven finished.

The 9th International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy :

| Pos | # | Rider | Bike | Cyl. | Junior TT and Lightweight class race classification | Junior TT and Lightweight class race classification | Junior TT and Lightweight class race classification | Junior TT and Lightweight class race classification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pos | # | Rider | Bike | Cyl. | Laps | Time | Speed | Prizes & Remarks |
| 1 | 4 | Cyril Williams | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 5 | 4:37.57 | 40.74 mph | 1st Prize - Winner of Junior Trophy, £40 and a gold medal. |
| 2 | 15 | Jack Watson-Bourne | 2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc | 1 | 5 | 4:47.07 | 39.44 mph | 2nd Prize - £20 and a gold medal. |
| 3 | 17 | Jack Holroyd | 2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc | 1 | 5 | 4:47.37 | 39.37 mph | 2nd Prize - £10 and a gold medal. |
| 4 | 25 | Ronald Clark | 2¼ hp Levis 247cc | 1 | 5 | 4:55.37 | 38.31 mph | 1st in Lightweight class - Winner of The Motor Cycle Trophy and a gold medal. |
| 5 | 32 | Eric Longden | 2¾ hp DOT (348cc JAP) | 2 | 5 | 5:11.02 | 36.41 mph | First twin-cylinder. |
| 6 | 27 | R.W. Loughton | 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc | 2 | 5 | 5:15.52 | 36.34 mph | |
| 7 | 14 | Gus Kuhn | 2¼ hp Levis 247cc | 1 | 5 | 5:19.35 | 35.43 mph | 2nd in Lightweight class and a gold medal |
| 8 | 20 | Harry Prescott | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 5 | 5:55.46 | 31.83 mph | |
| 9 | 13 | Frank W. Applebee | 2¼ hp Levis 247cc | 1 | 5 | 6:05.21 | 30.99 mph | 3rd in Lightweight class. The Nesbit trophy for pluck and endurance. |
| 10 | 1 | Sidney Haden | 2½ hp New Comet (293cc Climax) | 1 | 5 | 6:11.31 | 30.48 mph | |
| 11 | 9 | Percy Dallison | 3 hp Ivy 349cc | 1 | 5 | 6:17.32 | 29.99 mph | |
| DNF | 12 | A.E. Wills | 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc | 2 | 3 | Crashed on lap 4 at Creg-ny-Baa without doing himself any damage. | Crashed on lap 4 at Creg-ny-Baa without doing himself any damage. | Crashed on lap 4 at Creg-ny-Baa without doing himself any damage. |
| DNF | 3 | Harry Harris | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 2 | Retired on lap 3 at Ramsey Hairpin. | Retired on lap 3 at Ramsey Hairpin. | Retired on lap 3 at Ramsey Hairpin. |
| DNF | 6 | Howard R. Davies | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 2 | Retired on lap 3 due to broken exhaust valve just below the Bungalow. | Retired on lap 3 due to broken exhaust valve just below the Bungalow. | Retired on lap 3 due to broken exhaust valve just below the Bungalow. |
| DNF | 7 | Eric Williams | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 2 | Retired on lap 3, while leading the race, due to broken mainshaft 500 yards from the Bungalow. | Retired on lap 3, while leading the race, due to broken mainshaft 500 yards from the Bungalow. | Retired on lap 3, while leading the race, due to broken mainshaft 500 yards from the Bungalow. |
| DNF | 11 | A.F. Houlberg | 2¾ hp Wooler 350cc | 2 | 2 | Retired on lap 3 near Ballacraine due to broken connecting rod. | Retired on lap 3 near Ballacraine due to broken connecting rod. | Retired on lap 3 near Ballacraine due to broken connecting rod. |
| DNF | 23 | Phil Pike | 2¼ hp Diamond 249cc | 1 | 2 | Retired on lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa due to broken exhaust valve. | Retired on lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa due to broken exhaust valve. | Retired on lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa due to broken exhaust valve. |
| DNF | 19 | Stan Marks | 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc | 1 | 1 | Retired on lap 2 between Braddan and Union Mills, bearings gave out. | Retired on lap 2 between Braddan and Union Mills, bearings gave out. | Retired on lap 2 between Braddan and Union Mills, bearings gave out. |
| DNF | 2 | Ossie Wade | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 0 | Retired on first lap at Ballaugh due to engine trouble. | Retired on first lap at Ballaugh due to engine trouble. | Retired on first lap at Ballaugh due to engine trouble. |
| DNF | 5 | Tom Sheard | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 0 | Retired on first lap at Sulby with valve trouble. | Retired on first lap at Sulby with valve trouble. | Retired on first lap at Sulby with valve trouble. |
| DNF | 16 | P.J. Enticknapp | 2¾ hp Blackburne 348cc | 1 | 0 | Retired on first lap due to sheared key on the flywheel. | Retired on first lap due to sheared key on the flywheel. | Retired on first lap due to sheared key on the flywheel. |
| DNF | 18 | Norman Sclater, jun. | 3 hp Aurora (331cc Dalm) | 1 | 0 | Retired on first lap at Hillberry due to broken release valve. | Retired on first lap at Hillberry due to broken release valve. | Retired on first lap at Hillberry due to broken release valve. |
| DNF | 21 | Albert Milner | 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc | 1 | 0 | Retired on first lap at Kirkmichael due to a broken valve cup. | Retired on first lap at Kirkmichael due to a broken valve cup. | Retired on first lap at Kirkmichael due to a broken valve cup. |
| DNF | 28 | Alfie Alexander | 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc | 2 | 0 | Retired on first lap due to engine trouble near Glen Helen | Retired on first lap due to engine trouble near Glen Helen | Retired on first lap due to engine trouble near Glen Helen |
| DNS | 1 | L.W. Clement | 2½ hp New Comet (293cc Climax) | 1 | | Was replaced by Sidney Haden. | Was replaced by Sidney Haden. | Was replaced by Sidney Haden. |
| DNS | 4 | N.C. Heath | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | | Collided with marshals during practice, as taken to a hospital and was replaced by the eventual race winner Cyril Williams. | Collided with marshals during practice, as taken to a hospital and was replaced by the eventual race winner Cyril Williams. | Collided with marshals during practice, as taken to a hospital and was replaced by the eventual race winner Cyril Williams. |
| DNS | 5 | T.H. Haddock | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | | Crashed during practice at Keppel Gate was taken to hospital. Suffered head injuries. | Crashed during practice at Keppel Gate was taken to hospital. Suffered head injuries. | Crashed during practice at Keppel Gate was taken to hospital. Suffered head injuries. |
| DNS | 8 | George Cowley, Senr. | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | | Skidded at Governor's Bridge during practicing. | Skidded at Governor's Bridge during practicing. | Skidded at Governor's Bridge during practicing. |
| DNS | 10 | J.H. Dowell | 2¾ hp Wooler 350cc | 2 | | | | |
| DNS | 22 | Bert Houlding | 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc | 1 | | | | |
| DNS | 24 | F.J. Price | 2¾ hp Diamond 349cc | 1 | | | | |
| DNS | 26 | Jimmy Oates | 3 hp Aurora (331cc Dalm) | 1 | | | | |
| DNS | 29 | E. Greenwood | 2¾ hp Douglas 348cc | 2 | | | | |
| DNS | 30 | J.S. Clayton | 2¾ hp Wooler 350cc | 2 | | | | |
| DNS | 31 | T.P. Lewis | 2¼ hp Levis 247cc | 1 | | | | |
| Fastest lap: Eric Williams, 44min. 6sec. 51.36 mph (New record) |||||||||

### Senior TT 500cc final standings

Held on June 17, at 9:30 am over a distance of 226.50 miles (6 laps of 37.75 miles each), limited to machines of cylinder capacity not exceeding 500cc. Out of 29 entries, comprising 21 four-stroke singles, 5 V Twins, 3 Flat Twins and no two-strokes. Twenty-seven riders started the race and fourteen finished.

The 9th International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy :

| Pos | # | Rider | Bike | Cyl. | Senior TT race classification | Senior TT race classification | Senior TT race classification | Senior TT race classification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pos | # | Rider | Bike | Cyl. | Laps | Time | Speed | Prizes & Remarks |
| 1 | 66 | Tommy de la Hay | 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc | 1 | 6 | 4:22.23 | 51.79 mph | 1st Prize - Winner of Senior Trophy, £50 and a gold medal. |
| 2 | 56 | Douglas Brown | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 4:26.13 | 51.05 mph | 2nd Prize - £25 and a medal from Manx Motor-Cycle Club. |
| 3 | 70 | Reg Brown | 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc | 1 | 6 | 4:32.27 | 49.88 mph | 3rd Prize - £15 and a medal from Manx Motor-Cycle Club. 1st Private entry.'' |
| 4 | 67 | Norman Sclater. jun. | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 4:39.47 | 48.57 mph | Gold medal. |
| 5 | 53 | Reuben Harveyson | 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc | 2 | 6 | 4:40.25 | 48.46 mph | Gold medal. 1st Twin-cylinder machine. |
| 6 | 51 | Douglas Alexander | 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc | 2 | 6 | 4:41.25 | 48.30 mph | Gold medal. 2nd twin-cylinder machine. |
| 7 | 57 | Jimmy Shaw | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 4:51.46 | 46.57 mph | Gold medal. |
| 8 | 58 | Noel H. Brown | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 4:54.24 | 46.16 mph | |
| 9 | 64 | Frank Townshend | 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc | 1 | 6 | 4:54.29 | 46.148 mph | |
| 10 | 63 | Lieut. Charlie North | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 5:01.05 | 45.13 mph | Broken saddle delayed him in the first lap. |
| 11 | 79 | Norman Black | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 5:08.26 | 44.06 mph | Suffered multiple punctured and belt-stops. Rode last 30 miles with no bearings in the back hub. |
| 12 | 52 | Freddie Dixon | 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc | 2 | 6 | 5:17.12 | 42.84 mph | |
| 13 | 59 | Graham Walker | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 5:24.50 | 41.83 mph | |
| 14 | 76 | Jack Thomas | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 6 | 5:53.21 | 38.463 mph | |
| DNF | 75 | Capt. Alexander Lindsay, M.B. | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 4 | Retired on lap 5 near Ballaugh. Engine trouble. | Retired on lap 5 near Ballaugh. Engine trouble. | Retired on lap 5 near Ballaugh. Engine trouble. |
| DNF | 69 | Bert le Vack | 3½ hp Duzmo 496cc | 1 | 4 | Fell on lap 5 near Bungalow. Escaped unhurt. | Fell on lap 5 near Bungalow. Escaped unhurt. | Fell on lap 5 near Bungalow. Escaped unhurt. |
| DNF | 61 | Harold Petty | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 3 | Dry-skidded on lap 4 at Ramsey. Damaged front fork. | Dry-skidded on lap 4 at Ramsey. Damaged front fork. | Dry-skidded on lap 4 at Ramsey. Damaged front fork. |
| DNF | 74 | Alfred Alexander | 3½ hp Douglas 494cc | 2 | 3 | Retired at the end of lap 4 in pits, with belt fastener trouble, after taking 1½ hours for lap 3. | Retired at the end of lap 4 in pits, with belt fastener trouble, after taking 1½ hours for lap 3. | Retired at the end of lap 4 in pits, with belt fastener trouble, after taking 1½ hours for lap 3. |
| DNF | 54 | Bert Houlding | 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc | 2 | 3 | Retired on lap 4. Tyre trouble at Union Mills. | Retired on lap 4. Tyre trouble at Union Mills. | Retired on lap 4. Tyre trouble at Union Mills. |
| DNF | 65 | George Dance | 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc | 1 | 2 | Retired on lap 3 near Creg-ny-Baa due to broken inlet valve. | Retired on lap 3 near Creg-ny-Baa due to broken inlet valve. | Retired on lap 3 near Creg-ny-Baa due to broken inlet valve. |
| DNF | 62 | Victor Horsman | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 2 | Toured in at the end lap 3 due to partial engine seizure at Bungalow | Toured in at the end lap 3 due to partial engine seizure at Bungalow | Toured in at the end lap 3 due to partial engine seizure at Bungalow |
| DNF | 55 | Vivian Olsson | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 2 | Crashed on lap 3 at Windy Corner, brake gear fouled chain. | Crashed on lap 3 at Windy Corner, brake gear fouled chain. | Crashed on lap 3 at Windy Corner, brake gear fouled chain. |
| DNF | 68 | Tom Simister | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | 2 | Retired on lap 3 at Hillberry due to broken piston. | Retired on lap 3 at Hillberry due to broken piston. | Retired on lap 3 at Hillberry due to broken piston. |
| DNF | 68 | Eric Williams | 3½ hp Sunbeam 499cc | 1 | 2 | Dry-skidded on lap 3 into a wooden gate at Quarterbridge due to jammed brake. Escaped unhurt. | Dry-skidded on lap 3 into a wooden gate at Quarterbridge due to jammed brake. Escaped unhurt. | Dry-skidded on lap 3 into a wooden gate at Quarterbridge due to jammed brake. Escaped unhurt. |
| DNF | 72 | E.S. Abram | 3 hp ABC 400cc | 2 | 1 | Retired on lap 2. Valve trouble at Crosby. | Retired on lap 2. Valve trouble at Crosby. | Retired on lap 2. Valve trouble at Crosby. |
| DNF | 60 | Howard R. Davies | 2¾ hp AJS 349cc | 1 | 1 | Retired on lap 2. Engine trouble at Kirkmichael. | Retired on lap 2. Engine trouble at Kirkmichael. | Retired on lap 2. Engine trouble at Kirkmichael. |
| DNF | 78 | Reg. Lucas | 3 hp ABC 400cc | 2 | 0 | Retired on first lap at Ramsey with broken valve | Retired on first lap at Ramsey with broken valve | Retired on first lap at Ramsey with broken valve |
| DNS | 77 | S.J. Redmond | 3½ hp Indian Scout 496.8cc | 2 | | Withdraw during preliminary stages. | Withdraw during preliminary stages. | Withdraw during preliminary stages. |
| DNS | 73 | A.J. Moffat | 3½ hp Norton 490cc | 1 | | Damaged his machine in practice and was unable to find another. | Damaged his machine in practice and was unable to find another. | Damaged his machine in practice and was unable to find another. |
| Fastest lap: George Dance, 40min. 43sec. 53.62 mph (New record) |||||||||
