In 1902, before Motor Cycle News was a twinkle in Cyril Quantrill’s eye, the Coventry Evening Telegraph reported on the first motorcycle race to be run in Britain, organised by the Motor Cycling Club and held at Crystal Palace.
The meeting comprised two events; a race over five miles, and a speed and hill climbing test.
The races were in three classes. Class I, for 1.5hp and under, had fifteen entries but only five managed to reach the start line. It was won by this chap, Theodore Tessier, on an old type Werner.
Class II, for bikes with 1.5hp to 2hp, fared slightly better with only three out of eight not starting. The winner was Mr H. W. Stones riding a Rex (“King of Motor Bicycles”).
The ‘big’ Class III had just two entries and was won by Harry Martin on a 2.75hp Excelsior. Mainly because his rival didn’t make it to the finish. He also took top honours in the hill climb, being the only competitor in Class III.
And people say Ducati’s are unreliable…