Frank Perris

Frank Perris (May 28, 1931 – March 17, 2015) was a Canadian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and TT rider from Toronto.

Early race years Perris moved to England with his parents in 1938 and started road-riding during 1948 in the Chester area, firstly on a 1914 Douglas then buying a 1934 BSA Blue Star when joining the Chester Motor Club.

After visiting the Isle of Man TT races in 1949, Perris was inspired to race and for 1950 sold his BSA Blue Star, instead buying a 1934 250 cc Velocette MOV and a 1931 Norton International. After converting these for road-racing, at Easter he entered his first race held at Antelope race track, Rhydymwyn, near Mold, North Wales, crashing the Velo in the 250 race but, luckily uninjured, he completed the 500 race on the Inter.

For the 1951 season, Perris sold the MOV, buying a Velocette KTT, riding at different circuits for experience and entering his first TT race. He also benefited by a sponsored bike, an OK Supreme provided by Bill Smith's father. He also was entered in the Clubman's TT by Chester Motor Club, riding a Triumph T100 for Hector Dugdale finishing in 32nd position.

After the 1952 TT when he finished 18th, to complement his growing home short-circuit experience, Perris spent five weeks riding his KTT Velocette around Europe with some tools and a tent, competing in four races and riding from race to race.

In 1953, Perris sold both his old bikes to buy a new Triumph Grand Prix, winning his first race at Brands Hatch, with his growing experience enabling access to better machinery from established tuners-entrants John Viccars, Geoff Monty, Allen Dudley-Ward and Tom Kirby.

Perris was picked for the 1955 works AJS team at Ulster Grand Prix with a contract for 1956 but all British manufacturers discontinued their activities. John Viccars provided for 1957 a pair of Ray Petty tuned Manx Norton's which Perris rode for five years throughout Europe until finishing third in the 1961 500 cc World Championship.

Contracted in December 1971, Perris had to build a team from scratch using riders Peter Williams, Phil Read, Mick Grant and Dave Croxford.