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1956 motorcycle race program for Solitude Rennen, and some family history

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Paper626 of 2901Vintage KODAK EASTMAN - Photo Taking manuals - 1959 ( etc ) Girly calender 1957.
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    Posted 7 years ago

    racer4four
    (586 items)

    We have recently been going through some of my father-in-law's stuff and have found a number of programs for motorcycle Grands Prix on the continent, and this is one we found. There is a bit of a back story to go with this program.
    My father in law raced motorcycles in Australia and in 1956 he applied to the Auto Cycle Union UK for a ride in the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, and approval was duly given for a ride in the 1957 Newcomers race. He and a friend traveled by ship to Europe in 1956 to visit and experience the busy world of motorcycle racing there prior to their IOM meeting the following year.
    In early 1957 he started employment as a toolmaker (his trade) at a metalworks in Liverpool to support himself and to get the money together to hire a race bike. Riding a hired Manx Norton 350 in the TT Newcomers race in June 1957 he was was coming a fantastic 3rd when he experienced bike problems, limping home to a great 7th place.
    He raced again at the IOM in September in the Clubman's race at the Manx GP, this time on a BSA Gold Star 350, and again finished 7th, against a tougher group as none were newcomers.
    During this period he met my mother-in-law, a local Manx lass who at his request moved to Australia and married him in December 1958. They had 4 sons, of which my partner Shaun is one, who all raced motorbikes as young men, and all still ride today. I met Shaun through my own motorcycle racing and I still ride regularly.
    Neither of our kids ride yet :(

    This program is a great example of programs of the period. Held at Solitude, a circuit named after a local castle near Stuttgart, the race meeting was part of the world championship. Rennen means race but the whole title Solitude Rennen is almost poetic I think.
    The program lists so many known rider's names, including lots of Australians. I particularly love the ads in it, and the cover art is fantastic.
    I think that the graphic art in this period was so effective, and that advertisements were so much more appealing than today's photos and script.

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    Comments

    1. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      That's really awesome Karen!! Your family story is fantastic.
    2. racer4four racer4four, 7 years ago
      Thanks Scott. I'm just there by association lol!
    3. racer4four racer4four, 7 years ago
      Thanks too Thomas. Glad you enjoyed my story.
    4. TassieDevil TassieDevil, 7 years ago
      What a great story Karen, I really enjoyed reading this:-)
    5. buckethead, 7 years ago
      Great story :)

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