Kiwi surprise winner of famous race

Sixty years ago yesterday Wanganui man Rod Coleman (MNZM) lined up with 100 riders astride his AJS 350cc and became the first New Zealander to win at the Isle of Man Grand Prix.

And he was the first New Zealander to win in an overseas grand prix of which there are three power classes; 250cc, 350cc and 500cc.

In 1930, Mr Coleman's father, Percy, was the first New Zealander to go to the Isle of Man to race, and each year after that a New Zealander was nominated to go.

There were five motorcycle works factories manufacturing at the time, and each factory sent three riders to the Isle of Man.

Mr Coleman was based in London and working for Associated Moto that manufactured AJS, Matchless and eventually Norton motorbikes.

The Isle of Man started in 1910, and 40 years later it was a surprise to the Italian and British riders that a rider from a country they had never heard of could win the race.

"It was quite unusual because New Zealanders were not regarded as a serious threat," Mr Coleman said, speaking from his Wanganui home.

But Mr Coleman had made his mark and was approached by Moto Guzzi who pushed for the New Zealander to race for them after a meeting at a London motor show.

"They offered me £10,000 as a signing fee and they were prepared to give me £50,000 to £60,000, I could name my price."

But fate intervened when he met a young woman from London who visited the event with her sister.

Mr Coleman married that young woman Jacqui later in 1954, and settled in Wanganui where they raised their children Karen and Carl. The couple will celebrate their 60th anniversary quietly with family and friends.