Charlie Collier

Charles Richard Collier (1885–1954) of Plumstead, London, was a British motorcycle racer famous for winning Isle of Man TT races twice in his career. After competing in the 1906 International Cup Races on the European continent, he became the first Isle of Man TT race winner in 1907.

Along with his brother Harry, Charlie raced Matchless motorcycles manufactured by their father's company, H.Collier & Sons.

After setting a number of world motorcycle records on Matchless machines, Collier won another Isle of Man TT race in 1910 and later became the first competitor to be disqualified from a race for illegal refuelling. He later became a joint managing director of AJS and Matchless motorcycles and died in 1954.

Racing career Collier's first race was in 1902 at the 3½ mile Canning Town cycling track, riding a Matchless motorcycle with an MMC engine. After leading until the last lap, he crashed due to a burst tyre and suffered friction abrasions.

In 1905, along with his brother Harry, Collier participated in the eliminating trial for the International Motor Cycle Cup held on a 25-mile section of the Gordon Bennett Trial course on the Isle of Man. Although Harry managed to qualify, the Matchless motorcycle with a JAP engine which Charlie had specially built suffered a broken connecting-rod and was forced to retire.

After racing in the 1906 International Cup, both brothers were unhappy with the relatively low imposed weight limit of 110 lbs, causing sacrifices in frame and tyre strength to be made to compensate for the heavy engines.

TT race achievements TT Single Cylinder race Tuesday 28 May 1907 - 10 laps (158.00 miles) St John's Short Course. Position Number Rider Team Speed Time 14 Charlie Collier 3½ hp Matchless 38.21 mph 4:08.08.2 2 2 Jack Marshall 3½ hp Triumph 36.60 4:19.47.3 3 1 Frank Hulbert 3½ hp Triumph 35.50 4:27.49.4

TT Race Victories Year Race & Capacity Motorcycle Average Speed 1907 Single-Cylinder Matchless 38.21 mph 1910 500 cc Single & 750 cc Twin-Cylinder Matchless 50.63 mph

TT career summary Finishing Position 1st 2nd 4th DNF Number of times 2 1 1 4