Today in motorcycle history, May 1, 1955

  

 

   At Montjuic Circuit, Dubliner Reg Armstrong wins the 500cc Class Spanish Grand Prix aboard a Gilera four-cylinder.






   1955 saw Reg Armstrong have the best campaign of his life.  He would finish on the podium at the Spanish Grand Prix (first),  French Grand Prix (third), Isle of Man TT (second), Dutch TT (second) and the Nations Grand Prix (second).

  Unfortunately for Armstrong Geoff Duke was racing that year as well.

  When the Championship smoke would clear Duke would be the 1955 World Champion and Reg Armstrong would finish second.  Sigh.


  Though he always seemed to be a bridesmaid in his racing career, Honda asked him to manage their racing team in 1962 and 1963, and under his guidance they would win five world championships.