Stanley Woods
Encyclopedia
Stanley Woods Dublin, an Irish
motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the Isle of Man TT
races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin
. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson. He was also a skilled trials rider competing in the 1930s.
Snaefell Mountain Course
in 1922 was as a promising seventeen year old finishing fifth in the Junior TT on a Cotton
even though his machine had a fire at a pit stop and he completed the race without brakes. He won it the following year. His association with Norton
spanned the years from 1926 until 1934 during which he won four of the 1927 Grands Prix
, two more in 1928 and several more in the following years. He became disillusioned with the Norton and rode for Moto Guzzi
in 1935 giving them their first victory at the TT Races, only the second time a non-English motorcycle had won (the first being an Indian
, ridden by Oliver Godfrey in 1911).
Described by the motor-cycle press at the time as the "Irish Dasher" his stylish riding style was influenced from watching fellow TT competitor Alec Bennett
Over the years many scraps took place between the likes of Jimmie Guthrie
, Jimmie Simpson, Charlie Dodson, Harold Daniell
, Freddie Frith
and Wal L. Handley during these races. Stanley was a toffee
maker and in the Isle of Man TT history it states that he would bring a couple of boxes of toffee with him for the Scouts
who manned the scoreboard
s on which the grandstand audience relied to follow the races. Stanley was president of the TT Riders Association. Commandant
Stanley Woods is credited with the task of training some of the first Irish Army
4 Cavalry Squadron's Motor Squadron personnel during The Emergency as the presidential
Escort of Honour.
His career record of ten Isle of Man TT victories remained until the era of Mike Hailwood
who won 14 TT races. Three riders have equalled his record while another three have had eleven victories, but the most victories goes to another great Irish rider: Joey Dunlop
with 26 TT wins.
Woods' standing in the history of the TT was so high that in 1968 a panel of experts named him the greatest of all the island’s competitors. In 1957 he returned to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the TT races riding a 350cc Moto Guzzi round the course at just over 82mph.
In 1996 the Irish Post Office
issued a set postage stamp
s of notable Irish motorcyclists that included a stamp depicting Stanley Woods.
Races in 1921 with his friend C. W. 'Paddy' Johnston. After watching the races at Hillberry during the 1921 Isle of Man TT
Races, Stanley Woods told his friends that "I can do that." Despite his enthusiasm for the Isle of Man TT Races, Stanley Woods was without a motor-cycle to compete in the 1922 Isle of Man TT
. After writing to most of the British motor-cycle manufactures, Stanley Woods was able to persuade the Cotton
motor-cycle company to provide a machine for the 1922 Junior TT
Race. The Cotton marque had entered a new motor-cycle with a new overhead-valve Blackburne
engine. On first meeting Stanley Woods, the Cotton racing manager exclaimed that;- "My God! They've sent me a bloody schoolboy!
when Stanley Woods had to stop to re-place an exhaust valve after the inlet push-rod had broken. At Greeba Castle
when he discovered the brakes had failed after the rear brake cam lever had split a result of the pit-fire. Although, Stanley Woods continued the 1922 Junior TT Race with no brakes, he again fell-off at the Ramsey Hairpin on the last-lap, but finished the race in 5th place in a time of 3 hours, 55 minutes and 33 seconds.
six times on the early Assen
circuit.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
motorcycle racer famous for 29 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and winning the 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...
races 10 times in his career. He was a past pupil of The High School, Dublin
The High School, Dublin
The High School is a co-educational school located in Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland. The school was founded in 1870 in Harcourt Street before moving to its current location in Rathgar in 1971 and amalgamated with The Diocesan School for Girls in 1974, thereby becoming co-educational.-Millennium...
. Stanley started racing in 1921 on a Harley Davidson. He was also a skilled trials rider competing in the 1930s.
Life
His début on the new Isle of ManIsle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
Snaefell Mountain Course
Snaefell mountain course
Snaefell Mountain Course or Mountain Course is a road-racing circuit used for the Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix Races held in the Isle of Man from 1911 and 1923 respectively. The racing is held on public roads closed for racing by an Act of Tynwald...
in 1922 was as a promising seventeen year old finishing fifth in the Junior TT 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...
even though his machine had a fire at a pit stop and he completed the race without brakes. He won it the following year. His association with 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...
spanned the years from 1926 until 1934 during which he won four of the 1927 Grands Prix
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
, two more in 1928 and several more in the following years. He became disillusioned with the Norton and rode for Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi
Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It is one of seven brands owned by Piaggio.Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its central historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and a series of...
in 1935 giving them their first victory at the TT Races, only the second time a non-English motorcycle had won (the first being an Indian
Indian (motorcycle)
Indian is an American brand of motorcycles. Indian motorcycles were manufactured from 1901 to 1953 by a company in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, initially known as the Hendee Manufacturing Company but which was renamed the Indian Manufacturing Company in 1928. The Indian factory team took the...
, ridden by Oliver Godfrey in 1911).
Described by the motor-cycle press at the time as the "Irish Dasher" his stylish riding style was influenced from watching fellow TT competitor Alec Bennett
Alec Bennett
Alec Bennett was an Irish-Canadian motorcycle racer famous for motorcycle Grand Prix wins and five career wins at the Isle of Man TT Races.-Biography:...
Over the years many scraps took place between the likes of Jimmie Guthrie
Jimmie Guthrie
Andrew James "Jimmie" Guthrie was a Scottish motorcycle racer famous for 19 motorcycle Grand Prix wins and 3 victories in the North West 200 and 6 wins at the Isle of Man TT Races in his career.-Biography:...
, Jimmie Simpson, Charlie Dodson, Harold Daniell
Harold Daniell
Harold Daniell was a British professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who competed in the 1940s and 1950s...
, Freddie Frith
Freddie Frith
Frederick Lee "Freddie" Frith OBE was a British former Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion. A former stonemason and motor-trader dealer was a stylish rider and five times winner of the Isle of Man TT...
and Wal L. Handley during these races. Stanley was a toffee
Toffee
Toffee is a confection made by caramelizing sugar or molasses along with butter, and occasionally flour. The mixture is heated until its temperature reaches the hard crack stage of 300 to 310 °F...
maker and in the Isle of Man TT history it states that he would bring a couple of boxes of toffee with him for the Scouts
Scouting Ireland
Scouting Ireland is the World Organization of the Scout Movement-recognised Scouting association in the Republic of Ireland, although it also has Scout Groups in Northern Ireland. Scouting Ireland is a voluntary, non-formal educational movement for young people...
who manned the scoreboard
Scoreboard
A scoreboard is a large board for publicly displaying the score in a game or match. Most levels of sport from high school and above use at least one scoreboard for keeping score, measuring time, and displaying statistics. Scoreboards in the past used a mechanical clock and numeral cards to...
s on which the grandstand audience relied to follow the races. Stanley was president of the TT Riders Association. Commandant
Commandant
Commandant is a senior title often given to the officer in charge of a large training establishment or academy. This usage is common in anglophone nations...
Stanley Woods is credited with the task of training some of the first Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
4 Cavalry Squadron's Motor Squadron personnel during The Emergency as the presidential
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Escort of Honour.
His career record of ten Isle of Man TT victories remained until the era of Mike Hailwood
Mike Hailwood
Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, MBE, GM was a British Grand Prix motorcycle road racer regarded by many as one of the greatest racers of all time. He was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability...
who won 14 TT races. Three riders have equalled his record while another three have had eleven victories, but the most victories goes to another great Irish rider: Joey Dunlop
Joey Dunlop
William Joseph "Joey" Dunlop, OBE , was a world champion motorcyclist from Ballymoney in Northern Ireland, best known for road racing. Referred to throughout the sport as "Joey", in 2005 he was voted the fifth greatest motorcycling icon ever by Motorcycle News...
with 26 TT wins.
Woods' standing in the history of the TT was so high that in 1968 a panel of experts named him the greatest of all the island’s competitors. In 1957 he returned to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the TT races riding a 350cc Moto Guzzi round the course at just over 82mph.
In 1996 the Irish Post Office
An Post
An Post is the State-owned provider of postal services in the Republic of Ireland. An Post provides a universal postal service to all parts of the country as a member of the Universal Postal Union...
issued a set postage stamp
Postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper that is purchased and displayed on an item of mail as evidence of payment of postage. Typically, stamps are made from special paper, with a national designation and denomination on the face, and a gum adhesive on the reverse side...
s of notable Irish motorcyclists that included a stamp depicting Stanley Woods.
Isle of Man TT career
After competing in race sprints and handicap races with his fathers Harley-Davidson motor-cycle which his father used in his business as a commercial salesman for Mackintosh toffee. It was the pre-war Rudge rider Tommy Green who Stanley Woods calls "his mentor" that encouraged him to visit the Isle of Man TTIsle 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...
Races in 1921 with his friend C. W. 'Paddy' Johnston. After watching the races at Hillberry during the 1921 Isle of Man TT
1921 Isle of Man TT
The 1921 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Junior 350 cc race took place on Tuesday 14 June and the Senior 500 cc was on Thursday 16 June.This year AJS redeemed themselves by completing a hat trick, taking the first four places for a total of six of the top ten places in the Junior 350 cc race...
Races, Stanley Woods told his friends that "I can do that." Despite his enthusiasm for the Isle of Man TT Races, Stanley Woods was without a motor-cycle to compete in the 1922 Isle of Man TT
1922 Isle of Man TT
The 1922 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy introduced a new race, within a race, for the 250 cc motorcycles called the Lightweight TT Race to be run concurrently with the already established Junior 350 cc that took place on Tuesday 30 May, and Senior 500 cc races...
. After writing to most of the British motor-cycle manufactures, Stanley Woods was able to persuade the 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...
motor-cycle company to provide a machine for the 1922 Junior TT
Junior TT
The Junior TT is a motorcycle 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. The Cotton marque had entered a new motor-cycle with a new overhead-valve Blackburne
Blackburne (motorcycles)
Blackburne was a trade name of Burney and Blackburne Limited a British manufacturer of motorcycles from 1913 to 1922 at Tongham near Farnham, Surrey...
engine. On first meeting Stanley Woods, the Cotton racing manager exclaimed that;- "My God! They've sent me a bloody schoolboy!
Racing with Cotton Motorcycle Company
The Isle of Man Examiner newspaper described Stanley Woods as an "enthusiastic amateur" and started the 1922 Junior TT with the number 40 entered by Cotton. After being delayed at the start to stop to recover dropped spark-plugs which had fallen-out of his pocket, Stanley Woods still managed to make good-time and lapped in 40 minutes and 50 seconds despite clipping the kerb at Governor's Bridge on lap l. At Sulby on lap 2, Stanley Woods slipped off the motor-cycle and continued but hit the same kerb again at Governor's Bridge which removed part of the exhaust. A fire in the pits at the TT Grandstand followed which was extinguished by pit-attendants and Stanley Woods using an overcoat. Further problems occurred at Braddan BridgeBraddan Bridge
Braddan Bridge is a bridge over the river Dhoo on the Douglas-Peel road, from which a halt on the Isle of Man Railway's first line to Peel took its name.-Bridge:The bridge is a landmark on the Isle of Man TT road-race course...
when Stanley Woods had to stop to re-place an exhaust valve after the inlet push-rod had broken. At Greeba Castle
Greeba Castle
Greeba Castle is situated between the 5th Milestone and 6th Milestone road-side markers on the Snaefell Mountain Course used for the Isle of Man TT Races on the junction of the primary A1 Douglas to Peel road in the parish of German in the Isle of Man.Greeba Castle is situated adjacent to the...
when he discovered the brakes had failed after the rear brake cam lever had split a result of the pit-fire. Although, Stanley Woods continued the 1922 Junior TT Race with no brakes, he again fell-off at the Ramsey Hairpin on the last-lap, but finished the race in 5th place in a time of 3 hours, 55 minutes and 33 seconds.
Isle of Man TT race victories
| Year | Race & Capacity | Make of Motorcycle | Average Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | Junior 350cc | 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... |
55.73 mph |
| 1926 | Senior 500cc | 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... |
67.54 mph |
| 1932 | Junior 350cc | Norton | 77.16 mph |
| 1932 | Senior 500cc | Norton | 79.83 mph |
| 1933 | Junior 350cc | Norton | 78.08 mph |
| 1933 | Senior 500cc | Norton | 81.04 mph |
| 1935 | Lightweight 250cc | Moto Guzzi Moto Guzzi Moto Guzzi is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. It is one of seven brands owned by Piaggio.Established in 1921 in Mandello del Lario, Italy, the company is noted for its central historic role in Italy's motorcycling manufacture, its prominence worldwide in motorcycle racing, and a series of... |
71.56 mph |
| 1935 | Senior 500cc | Moto Guzzi | 84.68 mph |
| 1938 | Junior 350cc | Velocette KTT Mk VIII Velocette KTT Mk VIII The Velocette KTT Mk VIII is a British motorcycle made by Velocette. The final development of the K series the TT designation indicated that it was a TT production racing replica... |
84.08 mph |
| 1939 | Junior 350cc | Velocette KTT Mk VIII | 83.19 mph |
TT career summary
| Finishing Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | DNF |
| Number of times | 10 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 16 |
Dutch TT race victories
Woods won the Dutch TTDutch TT
The Dutch TT is a motorcycling event, traditionally held on the last Saturday of June at the TT Circuit Assen in the Netherlands, as part of the MotoGP World Championship. In the past all classes , nowadays only the 125 cc, Moto2 and the MotoGP...
six times on the early Assen
TT Circuit Assen
The TT Circuit Assen is a motorsport race track built in 1955 and located in Assen, Netherlands. Host of the Dutch TT race, it is considered "The Cathedral" of motorcycling by the fans...
circuit.
| Year | Capacity | Make of Motorcycle |
|---|---|---|
| 1927, June 25 | 500cc | Norton |
| 1928, June 23 | 350cc | Norton |
| 1931, July 11 | 350cc | Norton |
| 1932, June, 25 | 350cc | Norton |
| 1933 | 350cc | Norton |
| 1933 | 500cc | Norton |
Other victories
| Date | Capacity | Make of Motorcycle | Grand Prix & circuit | Average Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 | 600cc | New Imperial New Imperial Motors Ltd New Imperial was a British motorcycle manufacturer founded by Norman Downes in Birmingham, between 1887 and 1901, and became New Imperial Motors Ltd in 1912, when serious production commenced. New Imperial made innovative motorcycles that employed unit construction and sprung heel frames long... (980cc) |
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... , Clady Circuit Clady Circuit Clady Circuit situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland describes a motor-cycle road racing course used for the Ulster Grand Prix. The Clady Circuit was used between 1922 and 1939 and an amended shorter circuit between 1947 and 1952.-History:... , Dundrod Dundrod Dundrod is a small village and townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. In the 2001 Census it had a population of 63 people. It is within in the Lisburn City Council area.- Buildings :... , 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... |
72.71mph |
| 1925 | 600cc | New Imperial (980cc) | Ulster Grand Prix | 65.26mph |
| 1927 | 500cc | Norton | Swiss Grand Prix, Circuit de Meyrin, Genève | |
| 1927 | 500cc | Norton | Belgium Grand Prix, Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its... |
|
| 1928 | 500cc | Norton | Grand-Prix de L'U.M.F, Bordeaux Bordeaux Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture... , France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
|
| 1930 | 500cc | Norton | Ulster Grand Prix | 80.56mph |
| 1930 | 500cc | Norton | Grand-Prix de L'U.M.F, Pau, France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... |
|
| 1931 | 500cc | Norton | German Grand Prix, Nürburgring Nürburgring The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about... |
|
| 1931 | 500cc | Norton | Belgium Grand Prix | |
| 1931 | 500cc | Norton | Swiss Grand Prix, Bremgarten Circuit Bremgarten The Circuit Bremgarten was a 7.28 km race course in Bern, Switzerland which formerly hosted the Formula One Swiss Grand Prix and the Swiss motorcycle Grand Prix.... , Bern |
|
| 1931 | 500cc | Norton | Ulster Grand Prix | 86.43mph |
| 1932 | 500cc | Norton | Grand-Prix de L'U.M.F, Circuit of Rheims Reims Reims , a city in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France, lies east-northeast of Paris. Founded by the Gauls, it became a major city during the period of the Roman Empire.... , France |
|
| 1932 | 500cc | Norton | Belgium Grand Prix | |
| 1932 | 350cc | Norton | Swiss Grand Prix | |
| 1932 | 500cc | Norton | Swiss Grand Prix | |
| 1932 | 500cc | Norton | Ulster Grand Prix | 85.15mph |
| 1933 | 500cc | Norton | Swiss Grand Prix | |
| 1933 | 500cc | Norton | Ulster Grand Prix | 87.43mph |
| 1935 | 500cc | Husqvarna Husqvarna Motorcycles Husqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As... |
Swedish Grand Prix, Saxtorp | |
| 1939 | 350cc | Velocette | Ulster Grand Prix | 91.65mph |
Photos
- 1937 Junior 350cc TT Velocette
- 1939 Junior TT poster
- Bikesport Photo Archives 1931 - 1939
- On a TT Velocette
- On a TT Velocette #10
- On the winning 1935 Senior TT Moto Guzzi 500cc
Other links
- Biography from iomtt.com
- History of the Isle of Man TT Races
- Pre-World War II motorcycle Grand Prix results French site (retrieved June 8 2006)(archive retrieved 2008-11-09)
- Stanley Woods: Forgotten Hero RTÉRTERTÉ is the abbreviation for Raidió Teilifís Éireann, the public broadcasting service of the Republic of Ireland.RTE may also refer to:* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 25th Prime Minister of Turkey...
- Ulster Grand Prix History (archive retrieved 2008-11-09)