Today in motorcycle history, May 29, 1907

 

 

  Arguably, the greatest motorcycle race of all-time is born, the Isle of Man TT.

  The 1906 International Cup for Motor-Cycles held in Austria was plagued by accusations of cheating.  Legend has it that there was a conversation on the train back to England between the Secretary of the Auto-Cycle Club, Freddie Straight and the brothers from the Matchless motorcycle company, Charlie and Harry Collier and the Marquis de Mouzilly St Mars led to a suggestion for a race the following year for road touring motorcycles based on the automobile races to be held in the Isle of Man on closed public roads.  

 

  The new race was proposed by the Editor of "The Motor-Cycle" Magazine at the annual dinner of the Auto-Cycle Club held in London on January 17, 1907.  It was suggested that the races should be run in two classes, single-cylinder motorcycles and twin-cylinder motorcycles.  The idea was greeted with widespread approval.  All in favor say, "Aye", and all did. 

  The first race was to be held over 10 laps of the St John's Short Course of 15 miles 1,470 yards for road-legal touring motorcycles.  To emphasize the road touring nature of the motorcycles, there were regulations made up that stated the bikes must be fitted with seats, pedals, mudguards and, to some extent, mufflers. 

 

  The 1907 Isle of Man TT single-cylinder race, was won by Charlie Collier on a Matchless (did you expect something different?) at an average speed of 38.21 mph and the winner of the twin-cylinder class was Rem Fowler riding a Norton motorcycle at an average of 36.21 mph.