Bill Doran wins the 350cc Class Dutch TT on a works AJS.
With his trademark jutting chin and ready smile, Bill Doran was known as "Shropshire's motorcycling ace". His racing career began as a privateer mostly riding Nortons, Bill became a works AJS rider in 1949. Usually more comfortable as a 350cc racer, but to prove they made the right decision he rode their infamous 500cc horizontal-twin "Porcupine" to victory in the 1949 Belgian Grand Prix.
Despite a solid racing career, an injury became his claim to fame after a part of the Isle of Man TT course was named after him. He crashed during a Thursday evening practice for the 1952 Isle of Man TT resulting in a broken leg. The accident occurred on the left-hand bend after Ballig Bridge and was renamed Doran's Bend. At the time of dedication, he was the only living recipient with a named section.
A 1954 AJS E95 Porcupine was sold post-auction at Bonhams in 2011, for $675,000.
Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk
