Today in motorcycle history, August 26, 1946

   

  

  

   During the first motorcycle event on the Isle of Man after World War II Arthur Johns is killed in the Senior race of the Manx Grand Prix. On a practice run he crashes his 500cc Norton on the last right-hand bend in the approach to Sulby Straight, close to the small town of Ramsey.

  


  The first week of Manx Grand Prix is devoted to 'Practice.' Riders are given the opportunity to get themselves familiar with the course and must complete a minimum number of laps at a satisfactory speed in order to qualify for the races held in Week Two.


  The 1½ mile Sulby Straight, was originally part of Four Inch Course (now Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course) used for the Tourist Trophy car races between 1905 and 1911. Sulby village is also on the Mountain Course used since 1911 for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races. 


  In the 2006 TT practices, New Zealander Bruce Anstey achieved the unofficial current top speed record for the Mountain Course with a leg-wetting 206 mph at the end of Sulby straight on a Suzuki 1000cc. This alleged speed was registered by the onboard data-logging equipment and so cannot be considered as an official record.


  The Senior Classic race is one of the most popular and features the most diverse range of bikes. Entrants must field a machine with an engine capacity between 350cc and 500cc. Most riders opt for classic marques such as Norton, Seeley, Matchless and BSA.




  Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk