Eddie Crooks - The 1950's
In October 1950 Eddie raced in his first scramble event at Glen Helen, Isle of Man and finished 3rd.
During that Winter he rode in various scrambles and trials events and in May 1951 he rode in his first road race meeting on the same bike with a few modifications.[/b]
Here is Eddie at Andreas (Ex. RAF Airfield) in the North of the Isle of Man. The meeting was run by the Peveril MCC for club members, Eddie finished second behind the famous TT star Ray Amm, but Amm was not a club member and Eddie was awarded the win!
Eddie Crooks coming out of Governors Bridge during his first race on the TT course, He was riding an AJS 7R 350cc in the 1952 Junior Manx Grand Prix, unfortulately he retired at Sarah's Cottage when his primary chain broke.
Eddie's first TT, the Senior clubman’s where he finished a magnificent second at an average race speed of 83mph behind Bob Keeler. Here we see Eddie flat out on his 500cc Norton at the exit of Governors Bridge.
After the finish of the Senior clubman’s TT, Eddie is on bike No. 11 with his Father, Joe to the left and Mother, Vera at the extreme right. On bike No. 4 is third placed rider, Alan Homles who went on to be a double Manx Grand Prix winner in 1957.
When Eddie did his National Service he joined the Royal Artillery and won the Royal Artillery trials Championship in November 1953, held at Barnard Castle. He also represented the Army in display teams and the International Six Day Trials team.
1954 Manx Grand Prix, a wet practice session is about to start, all the riders have got their waxed cotton waterproofs over their leathers.
It's all about to bottom out, Eddie at speed on an AJS 7R 350cc descending down Bray Hill during the 1954 Junior Manx Grand Prix, on the way to 8th position at an average speed of 83.13mph.
A huge crowd in the background, it could be Creg-ny-Baa, Eddie cornering the Matchless G45 500cc on his way to 12th position at an average speed of 74.43mph in the 1954 Senior Manx Grand Prix.
Eddie is all set for the 1954 International Six Day Trial.
Representing the Royal Artillery was:
On BSA: Captain Eddie Dow, Lance Bombardier Eddie Crooks & Private Terry Cheshire.
On Triumph:Captain F.Miles, Corporal M.Waller & Staff Sergeant Nicholson.
On Matchless: Captain Betty, Corporal Norton & Sergeant Challinor.
Representing the Royal Artillery was:
On BSA: Captain Eddie Dow, Lance Bombardier Eddie Crooks & Private Terry Cheshire.
On Triumph:Captain F.Miles, Corporal M.Waller & Staff Sergeant Nicholson.
On Matchless: Captain Betty, Corporal Norton & Sergeant Challinor.
In the Welsh mountains during the 1954 International Six Day Trial. Eddie won a Gold Medal, this was the first of three Gold Medals and one Silver Medal that he won in the I.S.D.T.'s.
The Army Team at Rhyl Camp, plenty of awards have been won, Eddie is on the right side on the back row.
In the 1955 Southern 100 Eddie finished 6th on a Matchless G45 that was on loan off Wolverhampton motorcycle dealer, George Lathe.
Go to Manx Grand Prix Winner