Harry Hinton Senior was patriarch of a family dynasty that encompassed three generations of motorcycle racers. He was born in Birmingham in 1911 and immigrated to Australia with his parents in 1920. Perhaps there was something prophetic about his birthplace; for it was also the home of Norton and BSA; two marques with which he was associated for much of his career.
Early road racing success
He grew up in Sydney’s western suburbs and his early forays were beach races at Gerringong, south of Sydney. In 1931 he lost an eye in a serious road accident that could well have ended his racing career. It took time to adjust to the loss and it was a tribute to his determination that he returned to racing. Already He had a reputation for making unfancied bikes competitive and competitive bikes even faster. An opportunity to demonstrate his talents came in 1933, with his appointment as trade rider/tuner for BSA agents Bennett & Wood. Under Harry’s influence the rather pedestrian Blue Star range became competitive enough to challenge the race-bred camshaft Norton, AJS and Velocette machines. Harry Hinton and his flying BSAs became household names during the 1930s; and to demonstrate his versatility he would win a race on the 500; and then bolt on a sidecar and continue his winning ways.
Selection for Isle of Man races
Postwar he concentrated on Nortons in the larger capacity classes and in 1949 Harry Hinton was selected by the Auto Cycle Council of Australia as official Isle of Man representative. Before leaving for England Hinton rode at the Easter Bathurst meeting. and completed a hat trick of 350 wins on his Norton; following his successes there in 1947 and 1948.
International racing debut
Hinton made an impressive debut at the 1949 TT; finishing 15th in the Junior and a creditable 9th in the Senior. As a reward for his efforts Harry was provided with works Nortons for the Ulster Grand Prix. At season’s end Harry Hinton returned home, and included in his luggage was a piece of Norton history; Artie Bell’s 1948 Senior TT winner. Harry used it to good effect in winning the 1950 Australian Senior TT at Ballarat in January. Before he left for overseas he rode at the Easter Bathurst meeting where he finally scored that elusive Senior TT win.Hinton was selected as Australia’s 1950 Isle of Man team; and drafted into Norton’s ‘B’ team, alongside veteran Harold Daniell. Hinton finished in 10th place in both Junior and Senior TTs, riding the outmoded ‘Garden gate’ model. The Belgian Grand Prix was a memorable one for Norton, and for the very worst reasons. First there was Artie Bell’s horrendous crash, followed by tyre problems that eliminated the entire Norton works team. Hinton’s was the first Norton to finish; his 6th place gaining him the first Championship points scored by an Australian in the 500 category.The Dutch TT, held on the following weekend brought even more drama. The Senior race was barely into its stride when the entire Norton and AJS teams, either crashed or withdrew with tyre problems. It fell to Hinton to uphold British prestige, and in the ride of his career he took on the leading Gileras, to eventually displace one of them and finish in a heroic third place.
A promising start but an unfortunate accident
After his fine showing during the year, Hinton was assured of a place in the 1951 works team. He won the 500 and Unlimited events at the Easter Bathurst meeting, and then sailed for England. TT practice week saw him consistently on the leader board, but his lap times on a 250 Moto Guzzi were quite amazing.Maurice Cann suffered a practice crash, and was unable to race his famous 250 Guzzi. He sportingly offered the ride to Hinton who soon adjusted to an unfamiliar machine and in a spectacular practice session he slashed 60 seconds off the existing lap record. He went into race week as clear favourite for the Lightweight TT, and a strong contender in the Junior and Senior. He began the Junior TT in great style, holding second place behind a flying Geoff Duke and ahead of Norton teamster Lockett. Disaster struck on lap three when Hinton crashed heavily at Laurel Bank and sustained multiple breaks in one hand, plus a splintered kneecap. He never raced in Europe again but his Australian career went from strength to strength; particularly at Bathurst.
Triumphant Australian times and a final apearance
In 1952 he scored a Junior/Senior double; and in 1953 he made it a quadruple, winning the Lightweight, Junior, Senior and Unlimited events. The following year was unproductive, for he crashed in practice and broke a collarbone. In Hinton’s absence the versatile Kiwi, Rod Coleman scored his own Senior/Junior double. Harry’s celebrated Bathurst career ended in 1955, with another Junior/Senior double; and at the Mount Druitt circuit in July he made his final race appearance. He passed his machines on to his eldest sons Harry and Eric, who were already making an impression on the local racing scene. Harry Hinton died in 1978, aged 67; a highly respected member of the local and international racing fraternity
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