More than half a century ago the FIM (motorcycling’s FIA) banned women from world championship motorcycle racing. The international governing body was spurred into urgent action by the ambitions of Londoner Beryl Swain, who in 1962 became the first woman to contest a solo Isle of Man TT.
Britain’s national governing body had already tried to thwart Swain. Shortly after the Auto-Cycle Union received her entry for the 50cc TT it introduced a nine-and-a-halfstone minimum weight rule for the event. That should keep her out.
“Personally, Iam very much againsteditor Charlie Rous, in supporting the ACU’s dark arts. “I’ve got nothing against them, in fact I think they’re rather nice, and I would like to see them stay that way. Motorcycle racing is dangerous, and frankly, I think their presence adds to the danger.”
