Norman Maurice belongs to ‘world’s most exclusive club’
There have been more than 250 deaths since the first race in 1907.
HAVING lived and worked on the South Coast for 35 years, Norman Maurice is known as an up-standing local. Few know the he raced in the Isle of Man TT – the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world – and dangerous, with over 250 deaths since the first race in 1907.
This Glenwood old boy came from humble beginnings and was 20 years old when he rode his first motor cycle. What began as an affordable mode of transport soon became a passion, and it was a natural progression to move to the race track.
He picked up fast and by 1960 he was one of the top-rated racers in the country. He was selected for the South African team in 1961 to compete with two other South Africans at the Isle of Man TT, the team was headed by top pro racer Paddy Driver. Norman’s career was tainted by injuries, some bad luck and lack of resources and, unfortunately his Isle of Man TT race was no different. After he had completed a third of the 225km race, mechanical failure sent him tumbling out.
In East London that same year Norman had a huge crash, cracking his skull, which left him unconscious for hours. In a Paddy Driver biography published in 2009, it was said: “Norman Maurice certainly proved he was world class, but he lacked the resources to match his huge talent and turn it into international success.”
While researching the Isle of Man TT online, Norman found a club dubbed the ‘most exclusive club in the world’ – the TT Riders Association. Only riders who have competed in the Isle of Man TT are eligible and Norman is now a proud member, some 53 years after he competed.
