There can be 29-year-old motorcycle racer won such an award? What is so famous for this fearless native of Albion?
When Jeff was 13, he and a friend bought my first bike. Constant breakdowns and arguments with a friend only to provoke a kid in the 15 years Duke has accumulated on the old 175 cc Dot. Three years later he joined the British army, where he found out about the passion, the rookie immediately invited to the Army team riders. After demobilization in 1947, Jeff bought a 350 cc BSA, and subsequently got a job in a factory that produces these bikes, a mechanic in the experimental section. Duke racing career started as a tester team BSA. After his obvious abilities were noted Irish racer Arnie Bell, Duke was invited to the factory team Norton. His debut in Grand Prix races held in the spring of 1948. 26-year-old Jeff took part in the Manx Grand Prix in the class "350ss". His Norton almost immediately became a leader, and the newcomer has a chance to win his first race. However, the lack of experience and riding on the brink of a foul led to the fact that Duke did not calculate the fuel consumption and the bike stood on the sidelines for a few laps to go. Since then, his ambitions were directed to participate in road races.
At the end of 1948 at a meeting in London FICM decided to combine a series of individual races in one. Thus, was born in 1949 FIFA World Racing Grand Prix. It was a fantastic year career take off Jeffrey Duke! He won the most popular and significant in the world of cars and motor sports race in those years on the Isle of Man in the class "500ss", showing a record for the time rate of 82.97 miles / hour. Defeated in the same class in the Manx GP and finished second in the class "350ss". Norton praised his potential, and Duke was the team leader. Jeff has exceeded management expectations, winning that year, all races, in which he took part!
At the beginning of the season in 1949 to start out the machine, developed back in the 30s. But soon the country's motorcycle industry is not that badly damaged during World War II, engaged in the development and implementation know-how at racetracks and proving grounds. New once-processing Norton - welded frame with a double swivel arm - has revolutionized the ring-road motorcycle racing. Despite the old, developed before the war single cylinder 500 cc engine, Norton won the race for more powerful Italian V4: a single cylinder is provided a light weight and low center of gravity, and a miracle-chassis allowing for perfect cornering trajectory. In 1950 Norton was inferior to the Gilera maximum speed of 10 miles / hour, and only thanks to the exceptional talent and skill of the English Duke Geoffrey continued to win. The convincing victory in the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man and a new speed record - 92.27 miles / hr elevated to the rank of Duke superstar.
However, the wheel rotates and Lucky Duke. In Belgium, Jeff suffered in the opening rubble, and the Dutch stage, narrowly escaped death, flying into a ditch. Go to Norton Dunlop tires on Avon has contributed a new series of victories in Ulster and Italy, which Jeff and done by a per-season. But the scoring system led to the leaders of a more stable Mazzeti Umberto, ahead of Duke's only 1 point.
Conclusive evidence of exceptional talent and fantastic luck Duke were two championship crown in the classroom "350ss" and "500ss" in 1951, and despite the fact that his opponents used the much more powerful technique. Jeff was the first driver to receive both titles in one year. This was the reason for awarding him such a high award, as the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to racing.
In 1952, Duke went on to win the race, but to compete with more powerful Gilera V4 became increasingly difficult. While all of the factory was occupied by Norton Menksa improving the chassis, the Italians have learned to control the power of their multi-cylinder machines. At the end of 1952, Duke fell out with the leadership of Norton, because they put off developing its own V4, and came under the banner of Gilera. This shift has caused a storm of negative comments from the British fans, however, Duke would win and take a sober look at things: Gilera engine gave out 68 hp to 54 hp in Norton. In 1953, ''Lucky'' won another title, and his new team dominated in all three classes.
This year was marked not only the victories of the Italians. Arriving on the German stage, even experienced riders were shocked by the state highway in the Shottene. The trees came close to the road-whether, as some of the twists and high-speed descents were just strewn with boulders. A year earlier, similar conditions have caused the death of Duke teammate Dave Bennett Norton: at the exit of turn driver crashed into a tree. So when Jeff offered to boycott this stage, racers have supported him, and went on strike. It was a revolutionary step that marked the beginning of a long struggle with the FIM for the safety of Grand Prix racing.
Duke and his team dominated the next two seasons. In parallel, he was second in the Tourist Trophy in 1954 and won the race in 1955 in a class of 350ss. In 1956, Duke defended the interests of his comrades in their dispute with the FIM of the entry fees in the Dutch Grand Prix, for which he was suspended from racing at the first two stages of the season.
End monopoly Gillera and Jeff Duke put two new Moto Sports Legends: MV Agusta and John Surtees. The battle of two outstanding riders was a thrilling sight: the Duke and Surtees were constantly changing places in the struggle for leadership. In Belgium, the Duke Surtees held until the failed piston forced him to leave the race. In Germany, the technique again summed up Duke. An accident on a wet highway in Ulster finally led to the leaders of Surtees. However, the final race of the Championship in Italy, won the Duke.
Luck turned her back on the ''Lucky'' Duke in the spring of 1957. In Italy Imola on one of the most difficult trails championship Duke caught footrest surface and the crazy speed left the road. Medics arrived to state driver's death, were shocked by the persistence of Duke. With multiple fractures, Jeff was taken to hospital where, after several operations, quickly went on the mend. Lucky Englishman did not wait for the new season, and returned to the saddle Gilera in the late summer, despite the fact that 4 of 6 credits races have been missed, and the title could not be considered.
In 1958 the world of motorsports shocked to hear that the three Italian teams - Gilera, Moto Guzzi and Mondial - leaving the Grand Prix. Mills, who won the team title in the season 1957 in the classroom, "500", "350" and "250cc", failed to use the success of the race to increase sales. Serious financial problems forced them to leave the sport. With the departure of the Italian teams, many riders were out of work, but the experience and talent of Geoffrey Duke were in demand. Jeff started the season in 1958 on the BMW, but hard to manage the bike does not fit his style and in the middle of the season, Duke left the team. His best years are behind us, and Jeffrey Duke decided to finish his career where 10 years ago, it started so well. In 1959 he returned to Norton, but devoid of competitive technology, quickly lost motivation and left the race.
In the early '60s, many former and current racers began to create their own team. Could not resist such temptation, and irrepressible Duke. In 1963, a list of alleged participation in the Championship teams has expanded Scuderia Duke. Jeff had convinced him to sell the Gilera champion machine in 1957, but technical progress over the years has made a huge step forward, and advanced machines, the Duke of Derek Minter and John Hatrla could not compete with the MV Agusta. Having failed, Duke decided to finally get off the motorcycle races.
Dalos hard this decision Lucky Duke. Dozens of wrinkles ran over his face, like threads of roads, which he raced. Light gray at the temples resembled the loss, which does not manage any one season, but when Duke enter into a specially reserved for his trophy room and turn on the light, as hundreds of colored reflections from shiny surfaces of the many pleasant cups lightly faded eyes blinded six-time champion, recalling is a magical, almost fairy-tale evening at the Bekingem palace.
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