Offered from The Forshaw Speedway Collection, 1928 Rudge-Whitworth 499cc Dirt Track Racing Motorcycle

Frame no. 30950 Engine no. 55865

• Very rare first period Rudge
• Restored machine, notably including the infamous all-embracing triangulation
• Acquired for the collection in 1993

The introduction of Rudge to dirt track racing has been outlined under Lot 499. Whilst from 1929 onward the DT Rudge became an established and successful venture after the first intrepid steps in 1928 had proved fraught with problems. It was Douglas that ruled the tracks until the Rudge started to make its mark during the following year. Many other motorcycle manufacturers were very excited in joining in and at least seventeen displayed DT models at the 1929 Olympia Show. Although some of these machines saw the light of day, only one other than Douglas made the grade and that was Rudge. By June 1928 the first DT Rudge was produced.

As with all other manufacturers it was assembled from existing parts and modified as considered necessary. It was not understood what was required for the unique English short circuit cinder tracks, the initial belief being that the frame should be as stiff as possible. Evidence of this with the first Rudge is from the somewhat alarming addition of a full triangulation of tubes bolted to both sides of the main frame, effectively locking the headstock in a brace with the rear wheel mounting point. A problem arose with the first prototype when one of the Rudge workers was allowed to try it out in the works yard.

Acceleration was impressive as expected from the TT based engine but when it came to leaning the machine to turn, the rigidity of the frame threw the poor rider into a wall causing injuries from which he never recovered. It was an inauspicious start. Despite persisting with the new model they proved to be difficult to handle although with very good power. Riders could instinctively feel that there needed to be some flexibility in the frame. The 1929 Rudge catalogue clearly shows how this was addressed, notably be the removal of the all-embracing triangulation. In 1929 Douglas still had a good season but the writing was on the wall, the latest Rudge was on the hunt and soon to drive Douglas into oblivion.

Richard Forshaw acquired this very rare first period Rudge in 1993. In a letter to him dated 25th March, the noted speedway guru Noel Clark says, "just come back...a few hours after hearing about your Rudge, you deserve it, had a long time getting one but it sounds a cracker". From accompanying photographs of the Rudge as acquired it was certainly very complete, indeed a "cracker" but in an 'as found' condition. Richard commenting "it is a very original piece showing little signs of use, I am tempted to leave it as it is and certainly would if its condition was a little better".

The machine had been acquired from Halifax along with a Cole engine. Finally the decision was taken to restore the machine notably adding the infamous triangulation which must have been removed from so many of these early Rudges. With the help of many excellent photographs and the excellent Rudge catalogues this DT Rudge, frame number 30950 (last 1928 fame number 31120) is fitted with a 1929 engine and is presented close to the original catalogue specification.

Accompanying documents include correspondence, photographs of the machine as found, Rudge catalogues, copies of Rudge factory drawings, relevant extracts from the press and a 21-part series 'The Days of the Speedway Rudge' by Cyril May published in Speedway Star, 1970. The mechanical condition is not known and therefore we recommend re-commissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent.
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