Ernie Lyons

Ernie Lyons
Lyons pictured when competing in an Irish international scramble event during 1966, wearing a rugby-type shirt, then standard apparel for competitors in Moto Cross events[1]
NationalityIrish
Born(1914-03-05)5 March 1914
Ireland
Died7 February 2014(2014-02-07) (aged 99)
Kill, County Kildare, Ireland

Ernest William Lyons (5 March 1914 – 7 February 2014) was a motorcycle racer from Ireland who entered selected Grands Prix. He and Triumph factory employee Fred Clarke modified Triumph Tiger 100s for some races, with Lyons winning the 1946 Manx Grand Prix.[2][3]

Their race bike's engine used lightweight aluminium components from a Triumph stationary-engine used for various wartime needs during World War II, including use on Halifax bombers for generator sets, and was also ridden by David Whitworth.[4]

His winning motorcycle would become the prototype for the Triumph Grand Prix in 1948.[5]

After road racing he was active as a competitive moto crosser.[6]

Lyons died in February 2014 aged 99 at a nursing home in Kill, County Kildare, Ireland.[7]

  1. ^ Lewis Leathers Motorcycle clothing catalogue 1968, p.15 Cat. No. 981. Scrambles Jerseys. "A very strong garment, made from extra tough jersey, with reinforced collar and cuffs. Is A.C.U. approved and stamped for scrambling..." Accessed 6 July 2015
  2. ^ Triumph Motorcycles: Twins & Triples, Timothy Remus, published 1997, at Google Books
  3. ^ Triumph Motorcycle History
  4. ^ Motorcycle Mechanics, June 1973, pp.80-82. Motorcycle Masterpieces: Triumph's Twin Accessed 4 July 2015
  5. ^ 1948 Triumph 499cc 'Tiger 100 Grand Prix' Replica
  6. ^ Motor Cycle 6 October 1966 p.470 Accessed 28 June 2015
  7. ^ LYONS, Ernest : Death notice