Rod Coleman (motorcyclist)

Roderick William Coleman MNZM (19 June 1926 – 6 August 2019) was a Grand Prix motorcycle road racer from New Zealand who raced for AMC (Associated Motorcycles) riding AJS motorcycles both at the Isle of Man TT, and in the Grand Prix World Championship in Europe, between 1951 and 1956.[1] He was the first official entrant from the New Zealand Auto-Cycle Union in the 1949 Isle of Man TT, but crashed in practice,[2] and in 1954 became the first New Zealander to win a TT.

Rod Coleman
NationalityNew Zealand
Born(1926-06-19)19 June 1926
Died6 August 2019(2019-08-06) (aged 93)
Whanganui, New Zealand
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1951 – 1956
First race1951 350cc Dutch TT
Last race1956 250cc Ulster Grand Prix
First win1954 350cc Isle of Man TT
Last win1954 350cc Isle of Man TT
Team(s)AJS
Championships0
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
26 1 11 N/A 1 84

Background

Coleman was the son of Percy "Cannonball" Coleman, also from Wanganui, who first raced at the 1930 Isle of Man TT but retired from the 1930 Junior TT and Senior TT Races. The first New Zealand competitor to enter the TT was Alan Woodman who entered the 1910 Isle of Man TT races, but lost a leg in a practice crash.[3] The "TT Special" of 1951 describes Rod Coleman as a "motorcycle dealer from Wanganui", then aged 25 years.[4]

Racing career

In 1951, Coleman secured a works contract with the British manufacturer, Associated Motorcycles, who produced AJS, and Matchless machines. He rode an AJS to eighth place in the Isle of Man Junior TT, while his Norton failed to finish the Senior TT.[1] In the 1951 Grand Prix season, he finished 12th in the final 350 class standings.

In 1952 he came fourth in the Senior TT, and third in the Junior TT, riding AJS in both events.[5] He was fourth in the 1952 500 class standings.[6]

For 1953 there was a fourth in the Senior TT, and while leading the Junior TT, his bike broke down and failed to finish.[1] For the 1953 season, he was tenth in the 500 class and sixth in the 350 class.

In 1954 he won the Junior, the first New Zealander to win a TT. In the 1954 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season, Coleman came twelfth in the 500 class, and third in the 350 class. This was also the year Associated Motorcycles quit racing. He won the 500cc in Hedemora TT in 1954

Coleman met and married an English woman, Jacqueline Etherington, and they returned to Wanganui where he ran a thriving motorcycle and car business.[1] In the 2001 New Year Honours, Coleman was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to motorcycling.[7] He died in Whanganui on 6 August 2019.[8]

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References
  1. "NZherald.co.nz Rod Coleman story". The New Zealand Herald. 9 December 2006. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
  2. Title: "TT Special", Published: 8 June 1953, page 9
  3. Title: "Island Racer", Published: 2004, Page 68.
  4. Title: "TT Special", Published: 4 June 1951, page 9
  5. "IoMtt.com Rod Coleman detailed results". Retrieved 20 January 2007.
  6. Rod Coleman career statistics at MotoGP.com
  7. "New Year honours list 2001". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  8. "Roderick William M.N.Z.M (Rod) Coleman". Wanganui Chronicle. 10 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
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