Bill Lomas
William " Bill" Lomas ( born March 8, 1928 in Alfreton, Scotland, † August 14 2007 in Mansfield, England ) was a British motorcycle racer.
1955 and 1956 he was at Moto Guzzi World Champion in the 350 cc class of the Motorcycle World Championship.
- 3.1 External links
- 3.2 Notes and references
Career
Bill Lomas denied in his career racing on 30 different machines of the brands Royal Enfield, Velocette, AJS, Matchless, NSU, Benelli, MV Agusta and Moto Guzzi. In his era, which is considered by many as the golden age of motorcycle racing, he was, along with riders such as Geoff Duke, Bob McIntyre, John Surtees and Carlo Ubbiali, as one of the best drivers of his time.
In addition to his qualities as a road racer Lomas proved itself as an excellent trial- pilot and as a capable engineer, who was known to be able to develop motorcycles very good.
Bill Lomas debuted in 1950 on a Velocette in the 350 cc class of the Motorcycle World Championship and went to 1952 only sporadically at Grand Prix.
From 1955, he was then master pilot in the 350ern and launched for the Italian manufacturer Moto Guzzi. In the first year Bill Lomas won four of the seven races held in this class and continue for another two to second place. Since were incorporated at this time only the best four results in the championship standings to Lomas took with the maximum score of 32 points, the championship crown, 14 points ahead of his nearest rival, fellow Dickie Dale. Furthermore, Bill Lomas this year succeeded to MV Agusta victory in the 250 cc class in the Tourist Trophy for Moto Guzzi he also won the Ulster Grand Prix still in the 500 cc class.
1956 Bill Lomas defended his 350cc world title sovereign. He won three 350cc Grand Prix and had in the overall standings seven points ahead of second place, the German August Hobl DKW. He also began this season on the legendary Moto Guzzi V8, with which he imports the fifth place in Assen at the Dutch TT.
A serious accident in the spring of 1957 in Imola, Italy forced Bill Lomas to end his career at the age of only 29 years.
Lomas appeared in 1957 in the film della morte fidanzati by Romolo Marcellini and later opened several motorcycle shops. He was also a welcome guest at Veterans race and traveled as an ambassador of the sport around the world.
Bill Lomas died on August 14, 2007 in Kingsville Hospital in England Mansfield, aged 79 years, of a heart attack.