By Next to feature in Road Racing News Famous TT Marques series is a company that originally focused solely on producing aeroplanes, Aermacchi.
First set up in 1912 by Giulio Macchi, it wasn’t until 1951 when the Italian brand who went onto be owned by Harley Davidson and Cagiva first began creating two wheel machines.
Overshadowed at times by the likes of MV Agusta and Gilera, by the mid 1960’s Aermacchi’s were steadily making their mark on roads courses including the fabled, mythical Mountain Course.
The 1969 TT Races proved amongst the early high racing watermarks for Aermacchi, with Brian Steenson, Kel Carruthers finishing respectively runner-up within the Junior, Lightweight 125 races.
1970 saw another Junior class runner-up finish this time courtesy of Alan Barnett whilst nine years later future Classic Racer Magazine Editor Malcolm Wheeler, took third in the Junior class.
Onto the early 80’s and without a doubt the main highlight for Aermacchi was the Historic 350cc 1-2-3 finish led by Steve Cull.
Additional notable racers to have jockeyed Aermacchi’s at the TT Races have included Alberto Pagani, Gilberto Milani, Derek Woodman, Mick Chatterton, C G Griffiths and Paul Barrett.
Classic TT wise, the likeable Italian steeds since 2013 have proven pretty competitive in the hands of renowned yesteryear machinery racers such as the late but great Chris Swallow, Allan Brew and Bob Owen.
Words by Stevie Rial
