Pat the first British woman to compete in the Isle of Man TT

Pat with 4 times sidecar world champion Eric Oliver

The duo finished within the first ten places to qualify for the Isle of Man "Special TT Bronze Replica"

This was no mean feat given the outfit was a standard Norton 88 Dominator with a road going Watsonian sidecar.

This was the start of Pats racing career.

Pat continued to ride as passenger with Eric Oliver as well as racing solo. She also teamed up with Alan Clark, riding as passenger for him. The pair came to grief at Brands Hatch where Pats flight through the air was caught on film by Daily Mirror camera man Freddie Reid. Alan was unhurt and Pat escaped with concussion, but husband Les was watching and persuaded her to abandon thee wheels and concentrate on racing her trusted 500cc Vellocette Venom.

  

Supercharged Norton on the Brighton Sprint

Pat on a more traditional racing chair with Nobby Clark driving

 
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