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50 YEARS OF HONDA 1959 - 2009

50 years ago, a small group of Japanese motorcyclists came to the Isle of Man with a batch of twin cylinder 125cc bikes which they entered in the Ultra Lightweight TT. The racing was in those days held on a smaller 10.79 mile circuit situated round the Clypse Beg (Reservoir).

1959 was the last year the Clypse course was used, all races would be held on the Mountain Circuit in and after 1960.

The races on the Clypse were all massed starts in those days!!!



I hope other people will visit and ride this very interesting circuit while they are at the TT. However take great care, the roads that were used for racing are no longer of high standard and there will be farm tractors and other on-coming vehicles using them. Even so, this circuit is part of TT history.

Most people sniggered when they saw the "first" Hondas, mainly because they resembled the old N.S.U. in layout.

"Not a chance !" was the general opinion but this team ended up with the Manufacturers Team Prize on their first attempt, and only a short distance behind the works MV Agustas.

In 1960 Honda returned with 125cc Twins and 250cc fours and began to dominate motorcycle racing.

My Personal Memories:
In May 1959, I was in the middle of exams at college, but saw a time window when I could finish one lot, go over to the TT and then return to complete the series of exams. Mum and Dad set out for practice week by car and I flew over to join them mid practice week.

As usual Dad had already done the ground work and he handed over to me the many souvenirs he had collected for me.

Since it was to be the last year of the Clypse course I walked from Douglas up to Onchan to see that part of the circuit.



I managed to reach the Nursery Hotel and found that the Honda team were staying there so I asked if I could visit and look round. What I was able to see after that was incredible. My advice, - always ask before sticking your nose in. Asking first opened the doors and I visited them for the rest of the TT period, taking photos and showing interest. In subsequent years I got to know Naomi Taniguchi, Sadao Shimazaki and Kunimitsu Takahashi who became acquaintances and they gave me souvenirs and Honda wear.





I have a superb photograph of the Honda team in pit lane with me in an official Honda cap and a team colour-correct jacket but I felt part of it all. I still have a Honda pennant from 1959 but lost the cap when we moved south in 1974. I wrote to Honda and they sent me a replacement but it was not the original colour or style.

I did lots of walking in 1959 to follow the exploits of Honda !

When they returned with 250-4s and new 125 twins I again "joined in" and saw so much of the bikes and staff. This "relationship" with Honda has been so good over the years I am pleased to be able to say that I was there at the beginning of it all.




TTFan with Naomi Taniguchi in 2009

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