On TTrevisited we will feature the TT races year-by-year in pictures, comments and occasionally interviews with those who were there. This is the 1947 TT, the first TT meeting after WWII
I was brought up with the motorcycle legends of this era. Freddy Frith, who came to our house regularly, Bob McIntyre, Gary Hocking, Geoff Duke.... My godfather and uncle was a great man called Phil Heath, a pro who raced on the European road racing circuit and married a wonderful Belgian journalist, Annette Heath. He wrote for Motorcycle News. Does anyone out there have memories of him?
I rode a few long distance trials with Phil in the 1970s, he was a good campaigner in VMCC events. He also wrote articles for Motorcycle Sport magazine. There are photos of Phil from his TT and Ulster Grand Prix rides on TTracepics.com.
@@billsnelling3285 Oh, thanks so much for your amazingly fast reply. He was a great friend of my father and mother and after my father died he proved a tower of strength to us until she too died. I well remember being taken by him to sprint meetings at RAF Podington and other airfields, trials at Tilton on the Hill in Leicestershire, Launde Abbey, etc. He gave me a JAP engine to dismantle and play with, we entertained Mike Hailwood, John Surtees, the whole 9 yards. I rode trials, sat in his chair but took to cycle racing...... and at 70 am still at it.
I have quite a few pics of Phil, I also competed with him the the MCC long-distance trails. I remember following him on his acetylene-lit bike somewhere around Beggars Roost, and was astounded by the quality of the light it gave. There are 8 pics of Phil on www.ttracepics.com website
As someone has pointed out here my Grandfather, Basil Keys, did win the lightweight clubmans and not finish 2nd. The other machine was found to be overbored and therefore illegal. Basil was declared the winner and presented with the trophy.
Lovely film. Thought I should point out though that Basil Keys won the lightweight Clubmans and not finished 2nd. The other guy was caught cheating with an oversized engine and so disqualified.
