Fallen Isle of Man TT rider Victor Surridge remembered

Ongar born Victor Surridge was a rising star in motorcycle racing a century ago

A descendent of the first rider to be killed on the Isle of Man TT's Mountain Course is to ride in his memory at the 2010 Pioneer Run later this month.

Amanda Petheram will ride a Rudge Multi similar to one her great uncle Victor Surridge rode when he perished on the infamous course in 1912.

The bike she will ride is part of a collection of vehicles owned by Bernard Holmes at his home in West Horndon.

The Pioneer Run 2012 heads from London to Brighton on Sunday, 14 March.

Victor Surridge was a works rider for the Coventry based Rudge-Whitworth Cycles and just weeks before his death had broken the world record for distance covered in an hour at Brooklands motor racing circuit.

A rising star, he was still in his late teens when he died at Creg Wiles Hill on the run to the infamous Glen Helen corner on the Isle of Man.

"He had come to the fore and been noticed by the factory because his father was a dealer for this make of bike in Ongar," said Bernard Holmes, who owns a wide collection of motorcycles from that period.

"Within in nine months he'd become a TT rider and held the world record for the mile.

"Sadly, of course, he was never able to prove himself in the race.

The 1913 Rudge Multi featured revolutionary gearing

"As we understand it, he was going into a particularly nasty bend and the bike went sideways and smashed into a wall and he of course hit the wall as well."

Memory

The opportunity for Victor's great niece, Amanda, to ride in memory of her ancestor came about through a chance meeting in 2009.

"We open our garden for the National Gardens Scheme throughout the year and we open our motorcycle and car museum as part of that attraction," said Bernard.

"Last year Amanda came with her father, discovered that we'd got a Rudge Multi and sought me out and told me the story.

Victor became a record breaker just weeks before his death

"She was so excited about it, so I said 'you can ride the bike in the Pioneer Run' and she has sought out the history for me and we will use the history along with the bike at our next garden opening."

The 1913 Rudge Multi is one of 22 veteran and vintage vehicles in Bernard's collection at his Barnards Farm home.

It includes Model T Fords, Rolls Royce and his personal favourite marque, De Dion Bouton.

He has ridden in several previous Pioneer Runs, which begin at Tatternham Corner and heads down to Brighton.

Comprising hundreds of motorcycles that were produced before 1915, this year will be the event's 72nd year.