One of the great pleasures working on this site is the occaisional random searches that turn up an ISDT hero when least expected. Following a hunch looking for a BMW video i stumbled on a Motorcycle Road Safety Film created by the Liverpool motorcycle dealers ‘Victor Horsmans’ being familiar with the streets of Liverpool but far too young to recall what they looked like in 1955, my curiosity got the better of me. After seeing a few very familiar landmarks the film introduced the characters taking part including the early 50’s ISDT hero Eric Wilson, who’s son recently found his way to our pages. Eric won a gold in the 1951 Italian ISDT on a 500 Norton staying clean all week, his name does not appear in our results of 1947, 1952 or 1955 so we will dig through our other records to find where the second ISDT Gold, that the film mentions, was won. Early on there is also an interesting footage of typical ISDT type going in one of the atmosphere clips the film uses to establish to the viewer the diversity of motorcycling. Feel free to add your own recollections or thoughts on this video by adding comments below.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUxRmDHeE44]Video Clip: Eric Wilson 1950’s ISDT Gold Medalist from Liverpool
16 Saturday Feb 2013
Hi its Dave Wilson (the son of Eric mentioned above). I have the full 40 minute version of Rode Safely on DVD & would love to send you a free copy so please forward an address to my email,
dave-bonner@hotmail.com
I’m not sure of the 2nd Gold Medal mentioned in the film but I am in possession of Dad’s silver medal from the 1951 ISDT in Austria – when Dad rode a private BSA.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards, Bonner
1952 Austrian ISDT
http://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151299252165909&id=167209720908&set=a.10150111775835909.291691.167209720908&_ft_=fbid.449476058453336
Not sure if that will upload, its the photo of my Dad, Eric Wilson!
yep managed to do a screen grab of it .. just working out how to share it on the speedtracktales facebook page good to see it on Vintage Factory one of my favourite groups