Freddie Frith poses aboard Norton number 18, 1939 TT (Tourist Trophy)

Date(s): 1939

Scope & Content: Five times Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) winner Freddie Frith was one of the few to win TT races before and after the Second World War. He won the 1935 Junior Manx Grand Prix (MGP) and then rode for the Norton team at the 1936 TT. The 1936 Junior TT proved to be controversial - the race was being led by Jimmie Guthrie who stopped between Hillberry and Signpost Corner to replace his chain. Although Jimmie Guthrie continued in second place the lead passed to Norton team-mate Freddie Frith. At Parliament Square in Ramsey on lap 6, Jimmie Guthrie was 'black-flagged' for receiving outside assistance and disqualified. Guthrie denied the charge, however, and continued the race to finish in fifth place, the race being won by Freddie Frith. The Norton race team protested the disqualification and Jimmie Guthrie was awarded fifth place in the final race classification, but was awarded second place prize money.

In 1937 Frith set the first 90mph plus lap of the course. After finishing third in the 1939 Senior he missed the 1947 TT due to an accident in practice on a Moto Guzzi. In 1948 he won the Junior Race on a Velocette, repeating this success a year later. Frith is also notable as the first ever 350cc World Champion.

Language: eng

Extent: 3¼ x 5¼ in

Item name: photograph

Collection: Photographic Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: PG/6948/5

Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT

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