Geoff Duke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Geoff DukeOBE |
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Geoff Duke (1951)
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| Nationality |  British |
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| Born | 29 March 1923 St. Helens, Lancashire, England |
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| Died | 1 May 2015 (aged 92) Isle of Man |
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Geoffrey Ernest Duke (born March 29, 1923 – died May 1, 2015) was a famous British motorcycle racer. He was born in St. Helens, England. Geoff Duke became a multiple Grand Prix world champion. He raced for well-known motorcycle brands like Norton, Gilera, BMW, NSU, and Benelli. After he stopped racing, he became a successful businessman on the Isle of Man.
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Geoff Duke's Racing Career
Geoff Duke was a very important figure in motorcycle racing during the 1950s. Before becoming a professional racer, he was a Team Sergeant in a special motorcycle display group called The White Helmets. He won an amazing six world championships and six Isle of Man TT races.
Early Success at Isle of Man
Geoff Duke first entered the Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man in 1948. He didn't finish his first race, but he quickly became famous in 1949. That year, he finished second in the Junior race, even after falling off his bike! He then won the Senior race, setting new speed records for both a single lap and the overall race. He also won the 1949 Senior Clubmans TT.
His talent led him to join the official Norton racing team for the 1950 TT. He placed second in the Junior TT and broke more lap and race records in the Senior TT.
World Championships and New Teams
After winning three World Championships with Norton, Geoff Duke moved to an Italian motorcycle company called Gilera in 1953. With Gilera, he had an incredible winning streak, taking three 500 cc world championships in a row.
At one point, he supported other motorcycle riders who were asking for more money to start races. This led to him being suspended from racing for six months by the FIM, which is the world governing body for motorcycle racing. This suspension stopped him from trying for a fourth championship in a row.
In 1955, people thought he was the first rider to complete a lap of the Isle of Man TT course at 100 miles per hour. However, this was later corrected to 99.97 mph. The official first 100 mph lap was actually achieved by Bob McIntyre in 1957. Geoff Duke's last race was the Nations Grand Prix in 1959.
After Professional Racing
After his main racing career, Geoff Duke briefly tried Formula One car racing in 1961. He also formed his own racing team in 1963 called Scuderia Duke. His team raced against other famous riders like Mike Hailwood.
In 1964, he became the Competition Manager for Royal Enfield motorcycles. He helped them develop a new racing bike. In 1965, he played a big role in planning the International Six Days Enduro on the Isle of Man. He helped design the challenging 1,000-mile course.
Geoff Duke's Personal Life
Geoff Duke was known for being the first famous rider to wear a one-piece leather racing suit. He asked his local tailor, Frank Barker, to make this special suit. Before that, he used a one-piece lining under his two-piece suit, which made his teammates laugh!
He was named Sportsman of the Year in 1951. He also received the RAC Segrave Trophy, which is given to British people who show outstanding skill in transport. In 1953, he was given the OBE award for his contributions to British motorcycle racing.
After he retired from racing, Geoff Duke became a successful businessman. He worked in the motor trade and later in shipping services to the Isle of Man. In 1978, he helped start the Manx Line, which brought the first roll-on-roll-off ferry service to the island.
In 2002, the FIM honored him as a Grand Prix "Legend". The Isle of Man, where he had so many record-breaking rides, named a part of the TT Course after him in 2003. Three sharp bends on the course are now called 'Duke's'.
Geoff Duke passed away at his home on the Isle of Man on May 1, 2015, at the age of 92. His funeral procession included a final lap of the Snaefell Mountain Course.
Images for kids
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Geoff Duke's funeral procession at the TT Grandstand
See also
- Duke Road Racing Rankings
