Eric Oliver
Encyclopedia
Eric Staines Oliver was an English
motorcycle
racer best remembered as four time FIM
Sidecar World Champion
, riding a Norton
. His passenger in 1949 was Denis Jenkinson
. He is also remembered for his innovation, being the first sidecar
competitor to use a dustbin fairing, rear suspension and the first to adopt the kneeling riding position.
He was also an accomplished solo racer and continued to ride a 350 Grand Prix bike while racing a sidecar.
Oliver made a surprising appearance in the 1958 Isle of Man
Sidecar TT
race on a standard Norton Dominator 88 with a Watsonian
"Monza" road sidecar with Mrs Pat Wise in the sidecar, finishing a creditable tenth ahead of many specialised race machines. Oliver's last TT appearance was in the 1960 with passenger Stan Dibben but they had a bad crash in practice with Oliver breaking his back in two places and Dibben was nearly decapitated. Both men decided to retire from racing after this.
Eric Oliver later switched to car racing with a Lotus Elan.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
racer best remembered as four time FIM
Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme is the governing body of motorcycle racing. It represents 103 national motorcycle federations that are divided into six regional continental unions....
Sidecar World Champion
Superside
style="float:right"|FIM Sidecar World Championship is the international sidecar racing championship. It is one of the two remaining original FIM road racing championship classes that started in 1949, the other being the 125cc world championship...
, riding a Norton
Norton Manx
The Norton Manx or Manx Norton is a British racing motorcycle that was made from 1947 to 1962 by Norton Motors Ltd. A Norton had contested every Isle of Man TT race from the inaugural 1907 event through into the 1970s, a feat unrivalled by any other manufacturer, and the development and honing of...
. His passenger in 1949 was Denis Jenkinson
Denis Jenkinson
Denis Sargent Jenkinson , Jenks or DSJ as he was known in the pages of Motor Sport, was a journalist deeply involved in motorsports...
. He is also remembered for his innovation, being the first sidecar
Sidecar
A sidecar is a one-wheeled device attached to the side of a motorcycle, scooter, or bicycle, producing a three-wheeled vehicle.-History:A sidecar appeared in a cartoon by George Moore in the January 7, 1903, issue of the British newspaper Motor Cycling. Three weeks later, a provisional patent was...
competitor to use a dustbin fairing, rear suspension and the first to adopt the kneeling riding position.
He was also an accomplished solo racer and continued to ride a 350 Grand Prix bike while racing a sidecar.
Oliver made a surprising appearance in the 1958 Isle of Man
1958 Isle of Man TT
-1958 Isle of Man Junior TT 350cc final standings:7 Laps Mountain Course.-1958 Isle of Man Lightweight TT 250cc final standings:10 Laps Clypse Course.-1958 Isle of Man Lightweight TT 125cc final standings:...
Sidecar TT
Sidecar TT
The Sidecar TT is a motorcycle sidecar road race that takes place during the Isle of Man TT festival; an annual event at the end of May and beginning of June...
race on a standard Norton Dominator 88 with a Watsonian
Watsonian Squire
Watsonian Squire is a British manufacturer of sidecars and trailers for attachment to motorcycles. The company was established in 1912 by Thomas Fredrick Watson as the Patent Collapsible Sidecar Company Ltd. at Balsall Heath, Birmingham, England. The company is also the United Kingdom distributor...
"Monza" road sidecar with Mrs Pat Wise in the sidecar, finishing a creditable tenth ahead of many specialised race machines. Oliver's last TT appearance was in the 1960 with passenger Stan Dibben but they had a bad crash in practice with Oliver breaking his back in two places and Dibben was nearly decapitated. Both men decided to retire from racing after this.
Eric Oliver later switched to car racing with a Lotus Elan.