Percy Wilcox Owen
Epithet: TT Rider 1910s: a Typical Gentleman Rider
Record type: Biographies
Biography: Percy Wilcox Owen was born in Ironbridge, Shropshire in 1889, son of a wealthy local brewer. Before 1914, the high costs of purchasing and maintaining a motorcycle meant that this was a pastime enjoyed by only a privileged few.
Owen was a family friend of Alice and Janet Gibb of The Grove, Ramsey and Alice Gibb was a fellow motorcycle enthusiast. Owen rode a Forward in the 1912 and 1913 Junior TT races, and a Norton in the 1912 Senior TT. His only finish was 5th place in the 1912 Junior, in just over 4½ hours with an average speed of 33.1 m.p.h.
In common with many pre-war riders, Percy Owen served as a junior officer in the First World War. He did not return to racing after the war.
Occupation / profession: motorcyclist
Gender: Male