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Engine preparation in the kitchen

In an era when riding a motor-bike was not thought to be a terribly ladylike occupation, Beryl Swain became, in 1962, the first woman solo rider to negotiate the notorious Isle of Man Tourist Trophy course in an official event.

That year she rode her Italian Itom 50cc Racer into 22nd place in a field of 25 in a TT race round the notorious 37-mile mountain road course, which has claimed many lives and inflicted fearful injuries over the years.

It was the first year in which the 50cc Ultra Lightweight class had been granted world championship status, and the class was to prove immensely popular. But this was not, alas, to be the start of an international career for Swain. Feeling that Isle of Man TT racing was far too dangerous for solo women, the sport’s ruling body moved swiftly, and revoked her international licence, effectively putting paid to thoughts of a career at that level.

Born and bred in Walthamstow, where she went to school, Beryl Tolman worked as a senior secretary at P&O in the City before her marriage in 1959 to Eddie Swain, the owner of a motorcycle repair business.

From that point her passion for bikes developed rapidly. A member of several motorcycle clubs, she became a keen competitor in events at Brands Hatch and Snetterton. The 50cc class was to be ideal for her, but she also flirted with 500cc bikes at Hackney Wick speedway.

After the end of her racing career she went to work for Sainbury’s, and was for many years a departmental manager at branches around the London area. In retirement she lived in Woodford, Essex, and then Epping. An outgoing character, she was secretary to WI local branches and helped to organise meals on wheels for the elderly.

Latterly she had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. There were no children of her marriage, which was dissolved.

At the 1962 TT

At the 1962 TT

The Early ITOM 1960

Years of production: 1956-1959
Two-stroke single cylinder 49.635 cc engine
Bore 40mm and stroke 39.5mm
Compression ratio 12.0:1
Power output 2.82 bhp @ 6700 rpm
Maximum revs 7300 rpm
Dell'Orto UA 16 S carburettor
3-speed gearbox
Maximum speed 70/75 kph
Dry weight 49 kg

Beryl Swain 1962 (A motorcycle paper press cutting)

I Have been doing all I can to give lady riders as much publicity as possible.

Margo Pearson, Pat Wise and myself recently appeared on BBC's Television Programme ‘Sportsview’, which I am told had quite an interesting reception.

Margo, Pat and I are the only three women racing at the moment, Margo rides a 125 cc motorcycle, Pat rides a 350 Norton and I ride an Italian ITOM 50 cc about which there has been so much publicity this year. As regards the TT races I think I am correct in saying that I shall probably be the only woman rider this year. Pat is not able to have an International Licence, and I believe that Margo is a little undecided at the moment. I am the only one who rides these 50 cc machines and the A-CU Will only permit women riders for the TT providing they have the International Licence. (webmasters note - There were other Lady Riders at this time and they all enjoyed the press coverage and excitement of the track).

If you did happen to see Sportsview you may remember that the announcer commented on the fact that I am always placed on the last row at Brands Hatch and as I usually come in with the first ten riders I should be placed on the second row, but I presume that because I am a woman I must be lucky that I am allowed to ride at all.

Beryl - 1962

People ask me what I enjoy about racing and I usually tell them - speed. These ITOMs are reaching around the 80 mph mark. Two or more weeks ago I went to Brands Hatch with the TV people and after filming I tried a couple of fast laps. This was my first try for six months and my hands were frozen round the twistgrip, but I was told I had managed to get within three seconds of the lap record for 50 cc's, being (I believe) 1 min. 17 secs. My time was 1 min. 20 secs, which I think proves I was doing over 70 mph, Brands being a 1¼ mile circuit.