Henry Tyrell-Smith

Henry George Tyrell-Smith (1907–1982) was an Irish motorcycle road racer. He was born in Co Dublin and studied at Trinity College, Dublin for a B.A. And B.A.I.degree. He raced at the Isle of Man TT from 1927 to 1939, and between 1929 and 1936 competed in the German Grand Prix. He also raced in The Swedish Grand Prix in Saxtorp 1933–36.

Background Tyrell-Smith's first motorcycle was an ex War Department Douglas. From 1924 to 1929, he studied for engineering degree at Trinity College Dublin. From 1936 to 1939, he worked for the Experimental Department at Excelsior motorcycles. From 1939 to 1942, he was with the Bristol Aeroplane Co working on single-cylinder test stands. In 1942, he received a direct officer commission for REME. He was with the Workshop Office for Guards Armoured Division during D-Day landings and Normandy. In 1945, he was promoted to major as a workshop control officer in an engine repair shop at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg. After the war, he worked in the Experimental Department for Triumph Motorcycles.

Motorcycle racing career Tyrell-Smith started out on a Douglas, and finished second in the 1926 Leinster 200. The Rudge team of those years consisted of competition manager Graham Walker, with Ernie Nott, and H.G. Tyrell Smith.

Tyrell-Smith won the 1930 500cc European Championship for Rudge. In 1933, he rode an OK-Supreme in the Lightweight. In 1934, he rode an AJS in the Senior, and the 1935 Junior, having his last TT ride for Rudge in the 1935 Senior. From 1936 to 1939, he rode for Excelsior. The bike Tyrell-Smith rode in the 1936 Lightweight was a four-valve OHC radial head Excelsior with two carburettors. He finished second and went on to win the 250 cc European Championship. In the late 1930s, he worked for Excelsior motorcycle company and when the war broke out, joined the British Army and served in the D-Day landings with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). After the war, a career followed with Girling Ltd as sales engineer supplying suspension units to the British Motorcycle industry

In the 1960s, Tyrell-Smith was regularly seen at the Isle of Man TT races accompanying the Girling racing department in his capacity as representative to the motorcycle industry but also helping to provide the support to the sport that he loved. "Tyrell" took retirement in 1972. On 30 September 1956, the first Coventry Parade – then known as the Coventry–Birmingham–Coventry Veteran Motorcycle Run – was held. There were 61 entries, including "H.G. Tyrrell (sic.) Smith, successful TT rider of the 20s and 30s"

Isle of Man TT Race career Year Placing Race Motorcycle Average Speed 1927 13th Senior TT Triumph 60.99 mph 1928 4th Senior TT Rudge 60.52 mph 1929 3rd Senior TT Rudge 70.25 mph 1930 6th Senior TT Rudge 71.11 mph 1930 1st Junior TT Rudge 71.08 mph 1931 2nd Lightweight TT Rudge 68.25 mph 1932 8th Senior TT Rudge 75.70 mph 1932 3rd Junior TT Rudge 74.02 mph 1933 9th Senior TT Rudge 75.34 mph 1933 5th Junior TT Rudge 75.46 mph 1933 11th Lightweight TT OK-Supreme 65.62 mph 1934 7th Senior TT AJS 70.56 mph 1935 10th Junior TT AJS 75.21 mph 1935 2nd Lightweight TT Rudge 70.67 mph 1936 2nd Lightweight TT Excelsior 72.51 mph 1937 7th Junior TT Excelsior 77.25 mph 1938 3rd Lightweight Excelsior 73.62 mph 1938 13th Junior TT Excelsior 76.69 mph 1939 3rd Lightweight TT Excelsior 71.91 mph DNF in 1931 Junior and Senior. DNF in 1936 Junior (Excelsior)- Retired Lap 3 at Creg-ny-Baa. DNF in 1937 Lightweight(Excelsior) – Retired Lap 6 at Creg-ny-Baa with broken connecting-rod. DNF in 1939 Senior.

TT Career Summary Finishing Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 DNF Number of times 1 3 4 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 6

German Motorcycle GP In 1929 Henry Tyrell-Smith won the 500 cc class at the German motorcycle Grand Prix In 1931 the 350 cc Grand Prix In 1934 the 250 cc Grand Prix In 1936 the 250 cc Grand Prix

Other race wins 1931 250cc Dutch Grand Prix 1932 350cc Ulster Grand Prix – Rudge 77.89 mph 350cc Brooklands Grand Prix 1933 500cc Leinster 200 1934 250cc Belgium Grand Prix 1936 350cc Dublin 100 1937 350cc Dublin 100 250cc Leinster 200 1938 250cc North West 200