I started racing in 1961 with a 1952 7R AJS. From 1962 to 1972 I raced Manx Norton`s and several other makes.

BELOW ARE A FEW PICTURES OF ME, TOM ARMSTRONG, RACING VARIOUS MOTORCYCLES.MAINLY IN THE 60`S
Thank you to the people that sent them to me,they are a bit rare and any more would be very welcome.If you let me have your names I will credit the pictures to you.



Above, this is how it all started, my first Manx Norton picture was taken on the first day I got it in 1961.Back of East Veiw Wheatly Hill.
Note the 1959 Norton 88 in the backgroung. Loved that bike. must try and find out where it is now.



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Above left,This is how it looked when first delivered. On the right you can see it has had a Peel fairing fitted.
Above right, first race on a Manx Norton,(1958 349cc) Charter Hall Scotland 1961.
That is Ray simonds (mechanic)sitting on the bike. Marion Todd just behind him.
Laydown gearbox, red Peal fairing.Note air intake and cut out on screen for head.




Above, just can not remember anything about this race. looks like a team race by the arm band.
The bike is an ex John Sutees 500 Manx Norton with a Francis Beart front wheel.
The bike was owned by a sponsor of mine at one time, Bill Walton a builder from Trimdon.


Above, just found this picture of John Surtees with the very same Manx Norton, new of course at the time, note the lack of ball end levers. I remember when we all had to fit them later on.




Above, is what should have been a great bike. A double overhead camshaft twin cylinder 500cc Triumph, sponsored by Armstrong`s Motorcycles Middleborough, (no relation)
Built by Tom Pasco and Bill (ginger) Hawthorn. Ginger was supposed to ride it, but it was loaned to me instead. Of course I did not realize this at the time, I was just a rider.
I took it to the Isle of Man,(picture right) about 67, but the usual problem occurred and it stripped it`s bevels. I remember that Triumph were very interested in it at the time. Pity we did not persevere with it.


Above, can you believe that this is the pit are at Brands Hatch in 1967. That`s me on a 350 Manx and Ginger changing a plug after warm up, just before going the start.
I remember only finishing 8th.Those bikes at brands were very fast, Minter was king. Interesting road marking?
Must have been cold, sweater and scarf on top of leathers.




Tom Armstrong 350cc Aeramachi Metisse at Croft about 1969



Tom Armstrong 350cc Aeramachi Metisse at Croft about 1969



Tom Armstrong 750cc Norton at Croft about 1968



Tom Armstrong at Croft about 1968



Tom Armstrong 750cc twin in Manx Norton frame at Croft about 1969




Tom Armstrong, Aeramachi Metisse and Pat Mahoney, Tom Kirby 7R at Scarborough about 1968.



Above, the first racing picture of Tom Armstrong on a 1952 AJS 7R at Thornaby in 1961.





Above, Looks like Scarborough to me. On a Manx Norton 350cc. If you see yourself in the crowd, let me know please.





Above,Tom Armstrong early days, no lightning on the helmet. Down the "straight" at Scarborough.
On a Francis Beart Manx Norton with a Jakeman fairing.1963/4?.





Above, This picture was taken at Wallasey Prom, New Brighton, Wirral 100 motor club event. Very early days.
Looks like a 350 Manx with an Avon fairing.



Above, I remember this Wirral 100 M.C. , being a great motor club and I did all of the events I could manage with them.



Above,This club also held events at Oulton Park.





I just had the above picture emailed to me from Mike Redfern via Karl Brown. Thank you very much.
They tell me it is Croft 1968. Looks like the start of a race, first corner. I can see one or two familiar face in there, me Tom Armstrong no 11, Rob Fitton no 9, Ken Redfern no 2.

I could be wrong, but I think this is the race that I failed to qualify for, in the heat ( pictured above No. 11) due to engine problems. Anyway, in the race I am thinking of, during the afternoon I noticed a competitor (No.69 for the life of me I can not remember his name), leaving, that had qualified in 20th and last place. I guess he did not fancy his chances. So took a note of his number and put it on my bike. I was therefore allowed onto the start line and managed to win the race, actually passed Rob down the back straight as though he was standing still and his Norton was known to be very quick, perhaps he was saving it. Anyway as you can see from the other pictures and the write up from Motor Cycle News, I was promptly disqualified when Rob put in a complaint ( rightly so) young whippersnappers beating him, ought not to be allowed. Good old Rob.
Just had the email below about some of the other riders in the picture............
Hello Tom,
Came by your website from a link someone posted on the Autosport motorcycle racing nostalgia forum. I enjoyed seeing the photos and especially liked the one at Croft in 1968 (just after the start).
To add to the riders you identified - isn't number 42 Mick Grant on Jim Lee's Velocette? And Lance Weil is just in front of him (behind 79).
Do you know who the rider (number 1) at the front is? His helmet looks familiar, but I can't recall who it is!
I hope you don't mind me contacting you!
Regards,
Barry Needle.


I note M.C.N. got the make of the bike wrong, it was the one shown on the left, double overhead camshaft 500cc twin, built by Tom Pasco, sponsored by Russ Armstrong, no relation.
Pain to ride, I remember, fairing far too low. Could not get under it. However beggers can`t be ...and all that.



Above Croft autodrome about 1966 me (Tom Armstrong) on a 350 Beart Manx Norton, behind is a very good rider named Simonds.Do not remember if I managed to keep him there or not.
He looks very determined.


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