In that exciting decade of the ‘roaring twenties’ no rider attracted more public adulation and media attention than Walter Handley. His brilliant riding and utter determination to finish, regardless of the conditions were legendary. Yet at times he was prepared to scuttle his chances with deliberate disregard for his machine. In a career that spanned 12 seasons he held no great loyalty for a particular marque and his list of entrants embraced most leading British manufacturers, plus several European makes. Stories abound concerning his negative attitude to team discipline, coupled with a fiery temper and an attitude at times that was most charitably described as ‘awkward.’
TT Wins with Rex Acme
Handley was born in Birmingham in 1903 and despite being grossly under-age during World War 1 he attempted to enlist in the army. In this he was unsuccessful, and after the war he found employment at the OK Motorcycle works as a mechanic and road tester.
He was a member of the OK team that was entered for the 1922 Lightweight TT. Walter raised the lap record by 5mph to 51mph, only to retire with a broken valve. At the end of the season he scored a resounding win in the 250 class of the Ulster TT; and then, following a disagreement with his employer, Walter switched to the Coventry-based Rex Acme firm. It proved to be a rewarding experience for Handley who went on to score wins in the 1925 Ultra Lightweight, the 1925 Junior and 1927 Lightweight TTs. His second place in the 1926 Senior was a classic example of his utter determination to finish. His Rex Acme V-twin oiled a plug at the start, and due to its awkward placement he lost seven minutes changing it. Then in a ride that defied belief Walter took the evil-handling Rex from 22nd place to a meritorious second behind Stanley Woods’ Norton.
Multi Works Rides
In 1929 he signed with the Swiss Motosacoche firm, with options to ride other makes. On a 350 AJS he rode brilliantly to finish second to Freddie Hicks’s Velocette in the Junior TT. For the 1930 TT he was entered on a Belgian FN, and with its non-arrival in the Isle of Man it appeared he would be a non-starter. Fate then took a hand through the generosity of dealer/entrant Jim Whalley. He was entered on a works Rudge, partnering Graham Walker, Ernie Nott and Tyrell Smith but sportingly he gave up his own ride in favour of Handley.
TT Success with Rudge
Earlier in the week the Rudge team scored a comprehensive 1-2-3 in the Junior event and was looking confidently towards Friday’s Senior race. It began in fine but deteriorating weather that degenerated into torrential rain. Walter barely eased his pace and led through-out to win the Senior and make fastest lap. In 1932 Rudge-mounted Handley finished second in the Junior TT behind Stanley Woods’ Norton, but apart from a popular win for Jimmie Simpson in the 1934 Lightweight, this was the final taste of victory for Rudge Whitworth in the Island.
Read the concluding article in 'The Handley Saga.'
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