My Dad and his Nortons

Just seen the story ‘My dad and his Norton’ and thought I’d drop you a line about my dad and his Nortons.

Alan Holmes was the first Manxman to win the IOMMGP Junior/Senior ‘Double’ aboard the 350 and 500 Reg Dearden Manx Nortons in 1957. He also had some success at the NW200 and raced many circuits throughout Europe.

In 1958 he was set for what looked like a 2nd place behind John Surtees on the MV Agusta but a lengthy pit stop relegated him to 23rd. In the final race of the ’58 season, a big ‘off’ at Island Bend (Oulton Park) whilst leading the then world champion Gary Hocking resulted in a fractured skull and double vision, and that brought an abrupt end to a promising career.

At 81 he lives next door to me in Spain and rides his motor scooter EVERYDAY come rain or shine. Cheers David