Few riders have earned greater respect than Scotland’s Jimmie Guthrie. During a career that was cut tragically short, he gained a reputation of skill, gentlemanly conduct, and astonishing bravery. Even in non-motorcycling households his name was known, not only in Britain but also throughout Europe. He was born at Hawick in 1897 and from an early age became involved with motorcycling. Following World War 1, when he served as a dispatch rider, Jim and brother Archie set up as motor engineers in Hawick.
Isle of Man Essays
Jim’s first essay at the TT in 1923 proved unprofitable when his Matchless expired on the first lap. He tried again in 1927; this time on a marque that never gained TT glory; the New Hudson. The 350 model failed, but on the 500 he finished in a creditable second place behind Alec Bennett’s Norton. From 1927 until 1937 he rode in every TT; with Nortons in 1928 and 1929 and AJS in 1930. The first of his six TT victories was gained in the 1930 Lightweight TT on an AJS.
Norton Works Team
In 1931 Jimmie began his loyal association with Nortons when he joined the works team of Woods, Simpson and Hunt. With such an amalgamation of talent it was a rare occasion for a Norton to be beaten. Guthrie made it a Junior/Senior double in 1934, the Junior in 1935, the Senior in 1936, the Junior in 1937. In total he recorded 22 classic victories and among pre-war riders, only Stanley Woods exceeded this. Guthrie was twice crowned European Champion; today’s equivalent of the World Championship; however during 1936 and 1937, European manufacturers; notably BMW and DKW were challenging Norton’s supremacy.
Continental Classics
No rider during that period did more to withstand that challenge than Jimmie Guthrie. A portent of German efficiency was forcibly displayed at the 1936 Swedish Grand Prix where Guthrie finished third behind two BMWs. Nevertheless, it was Guthrie, Frith and White who were still winning the bulk of the classic races. Following the 1937 TT the Norton team made its way to the continent to contest the classic Grands Prix; where at the Dutch TT BMW recorded a victory in the 500cc class. Guthrie made a gallant attempt to keep ahead but after 10 laps his Norton expired with lack of compression. Next event was the Swiss Grand Prix, held on the twisty Bremgarten circuit, which placed a premium on handling rather than outright speed. Following their poor showing at the Dutch TT Nortons were vindicated with a Guthrie/ Frith 1-2 in the 500 event. The team journeyed then to Chemnitz to contest the German Grand Prix, held on the fast Sachsenring circuit, where Harold Daniell elevated Norton morale with a win in the 350cc race. In the 500 event Guthrie assumed the lead after a battle with Ley on the leading BMW. Ley retired shortly afterwards, leaving Guthrie to consolidate his position. He pitted for fuel at half distance, and lost his place temporarily to Gall on a second BMW. Gall experienced problems at that stage, leaving Guthrie unchallenged with two minutes in hand.
Tragedy at Chemnitz
At the finish line the vast crowd stood up preparatory to applauding the winner but there was no sign of Guthrie. Eventually Gall was flagged in as the winner but there was hardly a cheer for him. When the news came in it was all-bad. Guthrie had crashed, was seriously injured and on his way to hospital. With thousands of spectators clogging the roads it took the ambulance two hours to reach the hospital, and sadly Guthrie succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards.Many theories have been advanced as to the cause of Guthrie’s accident. One was that the rear spindle broke, dislodging the back wheel. Another was that the con-rod failed, due to the engine running low on oil. As a result it seized; locking the back wheel. In later years Stanley Woods came forward with his version.
I had coasted to a stop with fuel problems at the bend where Guthrie crashed and witnessed the chain of events .I am adamant that Guthrie was fouled by the German rider Mansfield on a DKW. Guthrie was about to lap Mansfield when the German deliberately moved across, forcing Guthrie into the right-hand gutter. The Norton tangled with a row of saplings, pitching Guthrie off with fatal results.
Woods was first on the scene and found his old teammate and best friend completely shattered. He accompanied Guthrie in the ambulance, and on the way to hospital Guthrie lapsed into a coma from which he never emerged. Jim Guthrie’s death was particularly tragic, as he had made the decision to retire from racing at the conclusion of the 1937 season.
Memories
Two significant memorials preserve the brilliant Scot’s achievements. One is a bronze statue mounted on a stone pedestal; erected in his hometown by the citizens of Hawick. The other is a stone cairn with its symbolic broken column; erected at the Cutting where Guthrie retired in his final TT race, the 1937 Senior. The Guthrie Memorial is an evocative site where enthusiasts can pay homage to one of the greatest on their Isle of Man pilgrimage.
His memory was revived in 1967, the year that Jim Guthrie’s son Jimmy won the Senior class of the Manx Grand Prix. Guthrie Junior demonstrated his ability on the demanding Isle of Man circuit; the scene of so many of his father’s triumphs.
Murray McLeod - Murray has maintained an involvement in the arts for many years and for a time he operated his own gallery at Mt., Tamborine overlooking ...
Join the Conversation