Extracts from the TT. Special’s Report of the 1962 50cc Race.  

Mrs. Beryl Swain, the first-ever woman TT. “Rider” In action on her 50 c.c. Item in the 1962 “Wasp” race; she finished 22nd at 48.33 mph  

ERNST DEGNER WINS THE FIRST Isle of Man 50cc. TT. FASTEST LAP AT 75.52 mph

ERNST DEGNER gave Germany victory on a Japanese Suzuki in the first 50 c.c. TT. today at an average speed of 75.12 mph for the two laps, his fastest being 75.52 m.p.h.

He led all the way, with Swiss Luigi Taveri and Irishman Tommy Robb on Hondas taking second and third places.

At 11 o’clock the first-ever 50cc TT. race is due to start, and it will be watched by many thousands of very interested spectators.

 10.30 am — The warm-up maroon and the "Wasps" begin to sting; the whole nest sounds somewhat angry!

 10.55 am — The five-minute maroon, and the usual four, three, two, one — “Good luck to you all” — but no mention of “May the best man win” — possibly because there’s a woman in it!

 The flag’s down and Degner screams away. Derek Minter gets off alongside M. Ichino, and has a 20-yard lead over the Japanese rider on the approach to St Ninian‘s.  

Ernst Degner (No. 2) is first at Sulby Bridge. His teammate, Ichino, is there next, 24 seconds later, so has lost 14 seconds in the first 20 miles. Anscheidt (No. 6) follows Ichino, and then comes Tommy Robb (No. 8) and Luigi Taveri (No. 10).

At 11.25 a.m., approx., Degner reaches the Bungalow and is some 40 seconds ahead of Ichino, i.e., half a minute on corrected time. Anscheidt (6), Robb (8) and Taveri (10). come past a few seconds later.

11.29   a.m., approx., — Degner is at Signpost, and just over a minute later he screams past the pits, having lapped in approximately 30 minutes.

FIRST LAP LEADERS                   MPH                           m.  s.

Degner (Suzuki)                     (74.72 m.p.h.)                    30 17.8

Taveri (Honda)                      (74.10 m.p.h.)                      30 33

Robb (Honda)                        (74.09 m.p.h.)                     30 33.4

H. Anscheidt Kreidler)         (73.60 m.p.h.)                      30 45.2

Ichino (Suzuki)                     (73.39 m.p.h.)                      30 50.6

Itoh (Suzuki)                        (72.77 m.p.h.)                       31 06.6

By 11.52, the first half dozen on the roads have passed Ramsey and are climbing the Mountain for the second — and last — time.

11.59,approx., — Degner is at Signpost, and now at 12 noon, almost spot on, he comes past the grandstand to win the first-ever 50cc Tourist Trophy race.

 Degner’s second lap is a new record at 75.52 mph., and in under the half-hour — 29 mins. 58.6 secs. and his average for, the race is 75.12 m.p.h. This speed would have won him a Bronze Replica in the Lightweight (125cc)race.

RESULT

1. E. Degner (Suzuki)                                1-00-16.4 (75.12 mph.)

2. L. Taveri (Honda)                                  1-00-34.4 (74.75 mph.)

3. T. Robb (Honda)                                    1-00-47.6 (75.48 mph.)

4. H. Anscheidt (Kreidler)                        1-00-55.4 (74.32 mph,)  

5. M. Itoh (Suzuki)                                    1-02-00.4 (73.02 mph.)

6. M. Ichino (Suzuki)                                 1-02-01.4 (73.00 mph.)

7. J. Huberts (Kreid.)                                1-02-15.6

8. S. Suzuki (Suzuki)                                 1-02-31.8

9. D. Minter (Honda)                                 1-04-06

10.S. Shimazaki (Honda)                           1-04-15.2

11.D. Shorey (Kreid.)                                  1-O4-49

Above received Silver Replicas

12. W. Gedlich (Kreid.)                              1-10-5

Above received a Bronze Replica

There were 25 finishers in all.

RECORD LAP Degner (second) in 29 mins. 58.6 sees., at 75.52 m.p.h.).

MANUFACTURERS TEAM PRIZE: Suzuki (Degner, Ichino and Itoh)

No Club Team Prize was awarded