From grass track to the Isle of Man
Ray Amm arrived on the International Grand Prix arena like a shooting star, in two hectic seasons he reached the pinnacle of stardom; and then in an instant his star was extinguished. After a racing apprenticeship on the grass tracks of his native Rhodesia, he traveled to Europe, determined to prove he could match it with the world’s best.
His initial racing excursions demonstrated he was more of a grass-tracker than road racer, but there was no doubting his determination. His first Isle of Man venture was the 1951 TT series where, for a newcomer he finished creditably in both the Senior and Junior TTs. It was a promising outcome to his chosen career.
A place in the Norton team
Amm’s lurid style did not compare with the elegance of the star ‘works’ riders but his courage was never in doubt. It was a factor that saw him drafted into the official Norton for 1952, partnering Geoff Duke and Reg Armstrong. Amm’s IOM Junior TT ended with a crash, but in the Senior he finished in a hard-fought third place. For the remainder of the season he contested the classic GPs backing up team leader Geoff Duke.
Following Duke and Armstrong’s move to Gilera, Amm was promoted to Norton No.1 for the 1953 season. His elevation was vindicated at the 1953 TT series, with a win in the Junior TT ahead of Aussie. teammate Ken Kavanagh.
In the Senior TT Amm scored a dramatic win after a titanic battle with Geoff Duke. The flying Rhodesian had joined that elite band of dual TT winners.
Controversial TT win
Amm remained loyal to Norton for the 1954 season, and was poised for another Junior TT victory when he retired with mechanical problems. Friday’s Senior proved to be one of the most memorable ever; with bad weather threatening to force a postponement. Despite the conditions there was a delayed start, but as the race continued, the weather deteriorated even further. On his third lap, race leader Duke made a pit stop for fuel, putting Ray Amm into the lead. It was then that the decision was made to stop the race once the leader completed four laps; despite the fact the weather was clearing. Ray Amm was declared the winner in a controversial Senior TT.
In addition to his dramatic TT victory Amm scored a Junior/Senior double at the Ulster GP. His final Norton appearance was at Aintree, but in typical style he crashed spectacularly in the 500cc event. Norton withdrew their works team at season’s end, leaving Amm with the choice of continuing with outmoded machinery or accepting an offer from MV Agusta. He chose the latter, with a debut at the Imola circuit in April 1955.
Tragedy at Imola
Amm was not enamoured with the MV, particularly the 350 which was no match for the ultra-light Moto Guzzi singles. He used his own Norton for some of the practice periods; and inexplicably he fitted the worn tyres from the Norton to his race MV. The 350 race started at a furious rate with Amm in third place behind the flying Guzzi pair. Perhaps he was trying too hard for he crashed early in the race. At first it did not appear too serious, but on this occasion Amm’s run of good fortune came to an end.
He was flung down a grass embankment and appeared to be in fair shape, but his head struck a submerged steel post; with fatal results. Imola’s surface was quite abrasive and on inspection the MV’s tyres were found to be completely bald. Ray Amm’s departure from the racing scene was as dramatic as his arrival.
