In 1958, for reasons not stated, multi-time World Champion Sidecar champion Eric Oliver raced this standard Norton Dominator outfit in the Isle of Man Sidecar TT. He finished 10th against purpose-built outfits. The passenger was identified as Mrs. Pat Wise.
My first thoughts were, "What was wrong with her? Was she crazy or just stupid? Didn't she know his history?"
A bit of searching found her to be a motorcycle racer in her own right so maybe just did it for a lark? That's her below in 1962, endurance racing an Ariel Arrow with Olga Kevelos. In the middle is Mr. Les Wise.
6 comments:
"His history" ??
I figured, when you see pictures of Eric Oliver, the focus he shows, he rode harder than anyone could to become World champ, win at almost any cost. Now he’s competing, getting onto a thoroughly unsuitable mount, and she’s going along for the ride? Maybe I’m misreading the situation?
I wouldn't call passengering a racing sidehack "going along for the ride."
She can’t really do anything but sit there and hang on!
Hm. You're right. That hack offers few to no clambering amenities.
I wonder if the Norton's "featherbed" frame was twisted after being used with a sidecar in a race.
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