Researching Raleigh history from a cycling perspective, I discovered the name of Owen Bridcutt, working, I believe, in a sales capacity.
By chance, I found an Owen Bridcutt raced a Dunelt in the IoM TT races. Is this one and the same person?
Ian Walton, email.
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Sorry for the long delay in replying Ian, but your question took some tree shaking to discover the answer.
Born circa 1904, Owen Bridcutt worked as sales manager for Dunelt (brand employed by engineers Durnford & Elliott (Sheffield) Ltd for their motorcycles). Riding a 499cc single-cylinder two-stroke Dunelt outfit, Bridcutt, passengered by S E Lewis, finished sixth and last from 15 starters at a race speed of 49.34mph, in the 1925 IoM Sidecar TT. This last Sidecar TT for 28 years was won by 20-year-old Len Parker (596cc Douglas, crewed by K T Horstman)
at 55.22mph from A E
Taylor/C K Hirst and George Grinton/A W Kinrade, both 588cc Norton outfits.
Running on Discoll alcohol fuel, Bridcutt and fellow rider P Pehrson taking turns, drove the same outfit to a clutch of long-distance Brooklands’ records on September 11, 1925, averaging 60-61mph in terrible weather conditions, including three hours, four hours, 400 kilometres and 300 miles.
After Dunelt, Owen Bridcutt moved to Raleigh and later switched to Simmonds Accessories. Finally he joined the staff of Motor Cycling (Temple Press Ltd) as their Midlands Advertising Director, retiring when they combined with Iliffe & Sons to form IPC Ltd.
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