Bill Lomas

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Bill Lomas (left) together with John Surtees (right) at the Dutch TT in 1956
Lomas' world champion machine from 1955 in the museum in Mandello del Lario
a Moto Guzzi V8 like her u. a. Lomas piloted in 1956

William "Bill" Lomas (born March 8, 1928 in Alfreton , Derbyshire , England , † August 14, 2007 in Mansfield , England) was a British motorcycle racer . In 1955 and 1956 he was world champion in the 350 cm³ class on a Moto Guzzi .

Career

In his career, Bill Lomas has competed in races on around 30 different machines from Royal Enfield , Velocette , AJS , Matchless , NSU , Benelli , MV Agusta and Moto Guzzi . In his era, which is considered by many to be the golden age of motorcycle racing , he was, along with riders like Geoff Duke , Bob McIntyre , John Surtees and Carlo Ubbiali , one of the best drivers of his time.

In addition to his qualities as a road racing driver , Lomas also proved himself to be an excellent trials pilot and a capable engineer who was known for being able to develop motorcycles very well.

Bill Lomas made his debut in 1950 on a Velocette in the 350 cm³ class of the motorcycle world championship and only competed sporadically in Grand Prix races until 1952 .

From 1955 he was a regular pilot in the 350s and started for the Italian manufacturer Moto Guzzi . In the first year, Bill Lomas won four of the seven races held in this class and came second in two more. Since at that time only the best four results were included in the World Championship ranking, Lomas took the World Championship crown with a maximum of 32 points, 14 points ahead of his closest rival, fellow brand name Dickie Dale . Bill Lomas also won the 250 cc class at the Tourist Trophy on MV Agusta this year , and for Moto Guzzi he also won the Ulster Grand Prix in the 500 cc class. Unfortunately, he lost the points by mistake while refueling in the 250cc class in Assen, later in autumn when he had already been celebrated as the 250cc world champion for MV.

In 1956 Bill Lomas defended his 350 World Championship title with ease. He won three 350 Grand Prix and was seven points ahead of the runner-up, the German August Hobl on DKW . He also competed this season on the legendary Moto Guzzi V8 , with which he finished fifth at the Dutch TT in Assen .

A serious accident in the spring of 1957 in Imola, Italy, forced Bill Lomas to retire from the age of 29.

Lomas starred in the 1957 film Fidanzati della morte by Romolo Marcellini and later opened several motorcycle shops. He was also a welcome guest at veteran races and traveled the world as an ambassador for his sport.

Bill Lomas died on August 14, 2007 at Kingsville Hospital in Mansfield , England , at the age of 79, of complications from a heart attack .

statistics

title

Isle of Man TT victories

year class machine Average speed
1955 Lightweight 250 MV Agusta 71.37 mph (114.86 km / h)
Junior (350 cm³) Moto Guzzi 92.33 mph (148.59 km / h)

In the motorcycle world championship

season class Result machine Victories
1950 350 cc 7th Velocette 0
1951 250 cc 12. Velocette 0
350 cc 11. Velocette 0
1952 125 cc 8th. MV Agusta 0
350 cc 7th AJS 0
500 cc 13. MV Agusta 0
1955 125 cc 9. MV Agusta 0
250 cc 2. MV Agusta 1
350 cc World Champion Moto Guzzi 4th
500 cc 6th Moto Guzzi 1
1956 350 cc World Champion Moto Guzzi 3
500 cc 16. Moto Guzzi 0

References

Web links

Commons : Bill Lomas  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Richard Fairbairn: Racing legend Bill Lomas passes away. www.motorcyclenews.com, August 15, 2007, accessed November 24, 2009 .
personal data
SURNAME Lomas, Bill
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Lomas, William (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION British motorcycle racer
DATE OF BIRTH March 8, 1928
PLACE OF BIRTH Alfreton , England
DATE OF DEATH August 14, 2007
Place of death Mansfield , England