Dungannon and District Motorcycle Club
Encyclopedia
The Dungannon and District Motorcycle Club was formed in 1922, in Dungannon
, County Tyrone
, Northern Ireland
, and held a number of “bike runs”, an athletic sports day and supported their local racers in its year of inception.
In the club’s second year, they held a successful hill climb on the Coalisland
Road/Oaks Road from the Old Engine Bridge (close to the present site of the Tyrone Crystal
factory) to Workhouse Corner (presently the roundabout adjacent to South Tyrone Hospital).
Run in heats, the eventual winner was JW Shaw (Belfast) on a 3.5HP Norton
, with Johnston Hill winning the Club event.
On the back of this event, the Club decided to run a 100-mile road race the following year. When the Club applied to the County Council for permission to hold the race on 30 July 1924, the matter had not been added to the agenda and had to wait until the following meeting of the County Council for the matter to be raised.
The date had to be changed to 20 August (a Wednesday, no road races were run at weekend in those times, but on the town’s traditional “early closing day”), and the event was run on a circuit starting at the Tyrone Sanitorium gates (now the gates to Drumglass Lodge and Sperrinview School on the Coalisland
Road), heading into Dungannon town, turning past the Workhouse, heading in the direction of Cookstown, turning right at Tullyodonnell Crossroads towards Newmills
, turning right again at Carland Meetinghouse and back onto the Coalisland
Road at the Old Engine Bridge.
Torrential rain fell during the entire race, 19 laps of the 5.4-mile circuit, which had attracted spectators from both sides of the border, with, according to the Tyrone Courier at the time, “the high bank along the Sanitorium grounds [providing] a fine vantage point to view the race.”
Of the twenty-nine entries, many of them local, two failed to start and just seven finished the race. Samuel McManus, a draper from the town, was the only faller requiring serious medical treatment when he fell between Tullyodonnell Crossroads and Carland Presbyterian Church.
Eventual winner of the race was localman Johnston Hill on a 500cc Douglas
(fourth in the 70-mile Cookstown
road race three months previously), second was TJ Gilmore (Belfast
) on a Dot-Bradshaw, third was R Carson (Cookstown
) AJS
.
In 1925, the Club held a reliability trial. The 34-mile course ran from Dungannon, through Coalisland
, Stewartstown
, Coagh
, Moneymore
, Cookstown
and back to Dungannon
. The “schedule speed was set at 20mph with observed test hills en route.”
Top three finishers where J Shanks (AJS
), Freddie Fairbairn (AJS
) and J Rutherford (Raleigh
).
The second Dungannon 100 was run on 1 July 1925 in superb weather and had “become to be recognised as one of the principal [races] of the season”, according to the Tyrone Courier
’s report. The road race in neighbouring Cookstown
was not held over a hundred miles until 1930.
The circuit was the same as the previous year, and, of the twenty-nine starters, it was SG Reynolds (Cookstown
) on board an AJS
that won, with Herbert Chambers (Belfast
), AJS
, second and F Donaghy (Dungannon
) third on a Cotton
, so favourably handicapped that he led the race until the penultimate lap.
Fairbairn and D Clancey were the only club members to finish the race (seventh and eighth respectively), as Hill and Shanks were unable to start and Capt TE Oliver, who set the fastest lap at Cookstown
the following week, failed to finish for the second year in succession.
Reynolds set the fastest lap of the day, and received the JC Holland Cup and £15 for the race win. Chambers lost his life later that year in an accident during sand races on Portmarnock Strand in County Dublin
.
In July 1925, Freddie Fairbairn was fourth in the Irish End to End Mizzen Head, Cork
to Fair Head, Antrim
Reliability Trial, and received an ovation from locals as he passed through Dungannon
on the journey.
The third Dungannon 100, held on 7 July 1926 in good weather, had only five non-starters from a field of 41, with ten of them completing all 19 laps. One of them was FD Boydell, an Englishman, on a 172 Francis-Barnett
, who was race-leader at the half-way mark, and eventually finished ninth.
Hill, winner of the inaugural race, was leading on the 16th lap when Fred Cupples, on board a 498 AJS
, attempted an overtaking manoeuvre that took both riders out of the race.
The previous winner, Reynolds, had “persistent plug troubles” and “failed to get prominently in the picture”, while Capt Oliver, who won the Over-500cc rate at the Ulster Grand Prix
later that year, had been doing well but retired on his ninth lap.
The fastest time of the day went to Belfast rider Tommy Stewart on a 344 Enfield
, but lost out due to handicapping to Ballynahinch man JS Corbett (347 Matchless
) and WJ Mills (490 Norton
), Benburb.
Dubliner Gordon Burney, who broke a chain on the first lap, was recorded as saying he’d prefer to do two Isle of Man TT
s in one day than one Dungannon 100, such was the condition of the roads.
6 July 1927 saw the last Dungannon 100 road race. It had moved to a much faster circuit comprising Bush Road from Dungannon to Bush onto Laghey Corner, Killyman and back, and was marred by an accident involving James Gibson (Belfast
) that led to his death from his injuries two days later.
The race was won by Captain TE Oliver (Coalisland
) on a 574 Scott
, with JW Shaw (Belfast
) in second place, who also set the fastest race time and fastest lap of the day. Eight of the twenty-four starters completed the 17-lap race.
J Douglas (Bush), was the second rider despatched on handicap and it was not until the 14th lap that Captain Oliver took the lead from him. The Bush rider, on board a 348 AJS
, finished fifth.
The club was revived in August 2005, and immediately set about starting a road race in Bush, Dungannon
. The event was called "Bush Road Races" and was held 23/24 June 2006.
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
, County Tyrone
County Tyrone
Historically Tyrone stretched as far north as Lough Foyle, and comprised part of modern day County Londonderry east of the River Foyle. The majority of County Londonderry was carved out of Tyrone between 1610-1620 when that land went to the Guilds of London to set up profit making schemes based on...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, and held a number of “bike runs”, an athletic sports day and supported their local racers in its year of inception.
In the club’s second year, they held a successful hill climb on the Coalisland
Coalisland
Coalisland is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 4,917 people . As its name suggests, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.-History:...
Road/Oaks Road from the Old Engine Bridge (close to the present site of the Tyrone Crystal
Tyrone Crystal
Tyrone Crystal was a crystal manufacturing company in Dungannon, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland.Glass making in Tyrone has a history going back as far as 1771, when Benjamin Edwards founded a company in county Tyrone, Ireland. Tyrone Crystal was set up two hundred years later in 1971, by Father...
factory) to Workhouse Corner (presently the roundabout adjacent to South Tyrone Hospital).
Run in heats, the eventual winner was JW Shaw (Belfast) on a 3.5HP Norton
Norton (motorcycle)
Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range...
, with Johnston Hill winning the Club event.
On the back of this event, the Club decided to run a 100-mile road race the following year. When the Club applied to the County Council for permission to hold the race on 30 July 1924, the matter had not been added to the agenda and had to wait until the following meeting of the County Council for the matter to be raised.
The date had to be changed to 20 August (a Wednesday, no road races were run at weekend in those times, but on the town’s traditional “early closing day”), and the event was run on a circuit starting at the Tyrone Sanitorium gates (now the gates to Drumglass Lodge and Sperrinview School on the Coalisland
Coalisland
Coalisland is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 4,917 people . As its name suggests, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.-History:...
Road), heading into Dungannon town, turning past the Workhouse, heading in the direction of Cookstown, turning right at Tullyodonnell Crossroads towards Newmills
Newmills
Newmills is a small village in east County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, three miles from Dungannon and two miles from Coalisland. Newmills gets its name from a corn mill and kilns that formerly stood in the area. Local amenities include a primary school, a local shop and a number of churches. It...
, turning right again at Carland Meetinghouse and back onto the Coalisland
Coalisland
Coalisland is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 4,917 people . As its name suggests, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.-History:...
Road at the Old Engine Bridge.
Torrential rain fell during the entire race, 19 laps of the 5.4-mile circuit, which had attracted spectators from both sides of the border, with, according to the Tyrone Courier at the time, “the high bank along the Sanitorium grounds [providing] a fine vantage point to view the race.”
Of the twenty-nine entries, many of them local, two failed to start and just seven finished the race. Samuel McManus, a draper from the town, was the only faller requiring serious medical treatment when he fell between Tullyodonnell Crossroads and Carland Presbyterian Church.
Eventual winner of the race was localman Johnston Hill on a 500cc Douglas
Douglas (motorcycles)
Douglas was a British motorcycle manufacturer from 1907–1957 based in Kingswood, Bristol, owned by the Douglas family, and especially known for its horizontally opposed twin cylinder engined bikes and as manufacturers of speedway machines...
(fourth in the 70-mile Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
road race three months previously), second was TJ Gilmore (Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
) on a Dot-Bradshaw, third was R Carson (Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
) AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
.
In 1925, the Club held a reliability trial. The 34-mile course ran from Dungannon, through Coalisland
Coalisland
Coalisland is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 4,917 people . As its name suggests, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.-History:...
, Stewartstown
Stewartstown, County Tyrone
Stewartstown is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, close to Lough Neagh and about from Cookstown, from Coalisland and from Dungannon. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 608 people.-History:...
, Coagh
Coagh
Coagh is a small village in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, situated five miles east of Cookstown. Part of the village also extends into County Londonderry. It had a population of 545 people in the 2001 Census...
, Moneymore
Moneymore
Moneymore is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 1,369 in the 2001 Census.It is an example of a Plantation village in Mid-Ulster. It was the first town in Ulster to have piped water.-Geography:...
, Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
and back to Dungannon
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
. The “schedule speed was set at 20mph with observed test hills en route.”
Top three finishers where J Shanks (AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
), Freddie Fairbairn (AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
) and J Rutherford (Raleigh
Raleigh Bicycle Company
The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a bicycle manufacturer originally based in Nottingham, UK. It is one of the oldest bicycle companies in the world. From 1921 to 1935 Raleigh also produced motorcycles and three-wheel cars, leading to the formation of the Reliant Company.-Early years:Raleigh's history...
).
The second Dungannon 100 was run on 1 July 1925 in superb weather and had “become to be recognised as one of the principal [races] of the season”, according to the Tyrone Courier
Tyrone Courier
The Dungannon News and Tyrone Courier is a weekly newspaper based in Dungannon, County Tyrone, with an office in Cookstown Northern Ireland. It is published by the Alpha Newspapers Group on Wednesdays....
’s report. The road race in neighbouring Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
was not held over a hundred miles until 1930.
The circuit was the same as the previous year, and, of the twenty-nine starters, it was SG Reynolds (Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
) on board an AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
that won, with Herbert Chambers (Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
), AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
, second and F Donaghy (Dungannon
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
) third on a Cotton
Cotton (motorcycle)
The Cotton Motorcycle Company, was a British motorcycle manufacturer of 11a Bristol Road, Gloucester, and was founded by Frank Willoughby Cotton in 1918. F.W. presided over the company until his retirement in 1953. The company was reconstituted as E. Cotton Ltd, and traded till 1980.-The...
, so favourably handicapped that he led the race until the penultimate lap.
Fairbairn and D Clancey were the only club members to finish the race (seventh and eighth respectively), as Hill and Shanks were unable to start and Capt TE Oliver, who set the fastest lap at Cookstown
Cookstown
Cookstown may refer to either of the following:*Cookstown, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland*Cookstown, Ontario, Canada*Cookstown, New Jersey, United States...
the following week, failed to finish for the second year in succession.
Reynolds set the fastest lap of the day, and received the JC Holland Cup and £15 for the race win. Chambers lost his life later that year in an accident during sand races on Portmarnock Strand in County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
.
In July 1925, Freddie Fairbairn was fourth in the Irish End to End Mizzen Head, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
to Fair Head, Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
Reliability Trial, and received an ovation from locals as he passed through Dungannon
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
on the journey.
The third Dungannon 100, held on 7 July 1926 in good weather, had only five non-starters from a field of 41, with ten of them completing all 19 laps. One of them was FD Boydell, an Englishman, on a 172 Francis-Barnett
Francis-Barnett
Francis-Barnett was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1919, by Gordon Inglesby Francis and Arthur Barnett, and based in Lower Ford Street, Coventry, England,...
, who was race-leader at the half-way mark, and eventually finished ninth.
Hill, winner of the inaugural race, was leading on the 16th lap when Fred Cupples, on board a 498 AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
, attempted an overtaking manoeuvre that took both riders out of the race.
The previous winner, Reynolds, had “persistent plug troubles” and “failed to get prominently in the picture”, while Capt Oliver, who won the Over-500cc rate at the Ulster Grand Prix
Ulster Grand Prix
The Ulster Grand Prix is a motorcycle road race that takes place on the Dundrod Circuit near Belfast, Northern Ireland. The first races took place in 1922 and in 1935 and 1948 the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme gave it the title Grand Prix d'Europe...
later that year, had been doing well but retired on his ninth lap.
The fastest time of the day went to Belfast rider Tommy Stewart on a 344 Enfield
Royal Enfield
Royal Enfield was the name under which the Enfield Cycle Company made motorcycles, bicycles, lawnmowers and stationary engines. This legacy of weapons manufacture is reflected in the logo, a cannon, and their motto "Made like a gun, goes like a bullet". Use of the brand name Royal Enfield was...
, but lost out due to handicapping to Ballynahinch man JS Corbett (347 Matchless
Matchless
Matchless is one of the oldest marques of British motorcycles, manufactured in Plumstead, London, between 1899 and 1966. A wide range of models was produced under the Matchless name, ranging from small two-strokes to 750 cc four-stroke twins...
) and WJ Mills (490 Norton
Norton (motorcycle)
Norton is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of "fittings and parts for the two-wheel trade". By 1902, they had begun manufacturing motorcycles with bought-in engines. In 1908, a Norton-built engine was added to the range...
), Benburb.
Dubliner Gordon Burney, who broke a chain on the first lap, was recorded as saying he’d prefer to do two Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man TT
The International Isle of Man TT Race is a motorcycle racing event held on the Isle of Man and was for many years the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world...
s in one day than one Dungannon 100, such was the condition of the roads.
6 July 1927 saw the last Dungannon 100 road race. It had moved to a much faster circuit comprising Bush Road from Dungannon to Bush onto Laghey Corner, Killyman and back, and was marred by an accident involving James Gibson (Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
) that led to his death from his injuries two days later.
The race was won by Captain TE Oliver (Coalisland
Coalisland
Coalisland is a small town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, with a population of 4,917 people . As its name suggests, it was formerly a centre for coal mining.-History:...
) on a 574 Scott
The Scott Motorcycle Company
The Scott Motorcycle Company was owned by Scott Motors Limited, Shipley, West Yorkshire, England and was a well known producer of motorcycles and light engines for industry...
, with JW Shaw (Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
) in second place, who also set the fastest race time and fastest lap of the day. Eight of the twenty-four starters completed the 17-lap race.
J Douglas (Bush), was the second rider despatched on handicap and it was not until the 14th lap that Captain Oliver took the lead from him. The Bush rider, on board a 348 AJS
AJS
AJS was the name used for cars and motorcycles made by the Wolverhampton, England, company A. J. Stevens & Co. Ltd, from 1909 to 1931, by then holding 117 motorcycle world records, and after the firm was sold the name continued to be used by Matchless, Associated Motorcycles and Norton-Villiers on...
, finished fifth.
The club was revived in August 2005, and immediately set about starting a road race in Bush, Dungannon
Dungannon
Dungannon is a medium-sized town in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is the third-largest town in the county and a population of 11,139 people was recorded in the 2001 Census. In August 2006, Dungannon won Ulster In Bloom's Best Kept Town Award for the fifth time...
. The event was called "Bush Road Races" and was held 23/24 June 2006.