Today in motorcycle history, August 7, 1972

 


 

  Legendary Irish TT racer Arthur James "Artie" Bell dies at his home in County Down, Northern Ireland.

 

  Known for his short, yet brilliant, post-World War II Isle of Man TT career that came to notice with his second place finish in the 1947 Isle of Man TT on an old, used 500cc Norton he bought himself and on which he managed to lead three of the seven laps.

 

  Riding his 1939 Norton, he participated in several races in the immediate post-World War II period including County Tyrone's 1946 Cookstown 100 where he recorded the fastest lap time of 76.60 mph and winning the 1947 500cc Ulster Grand Prix race (averaging 91.25 mph) in a time of 2 hours 43 minutes 1 second, while setting a new lap record of 94.79 mph.  Bell also won the 1947 North West 200. 

  After his kick-ass performance in the 1947 Isle of Man, Norton picked him up as a works rider for the following season.  The '48 season was full of mechanical failures and tough luck but, Artie returned in the 1949 season determined to prove Norton made the right choice putting him in the saddle.  He would place third and fourth in the TT as well as taking the North West 200 again.  

 When Norton introduced the Featherbed frame in 1950 he rode it to a first place finish in the 350cc Junior race and second place in the 500cc Senior race.  Bell also claimed the North West 200 for a third time.

  Unfortunately, his promising racing career came to an end following a high speed crash during the 1950 season at La Source Hairpin during the 1950 Belgian Grand Prix at the extremely fast Spa-Francorchamps circuit.  Although Artie survived serious injury, he was unable to race again.

 

 

  In 1996 the Irish Post Office issued a set postage stamps of notable Irish motorcyclists that included a stamp depicting Artie Bell.