It is with much sadness that the Manx Motor Cycle Club has learnt of the passing Ernie Lyons, winner of the 1948 Senior Manx Grand Prix.

Irishman Ernie Lyons, died on Thursday 7th February 2014, a month shy of his 100th birthday (5th March 1914).

Ernie first made his debut in the 1938 Senior Manx Grand, but failed to finish his race.

Returning in 1946, riding a Velocette in the Junior Manx he finished in sixth position, two days later on Triumph machinery he took the winners laurels in the blue-riband Senior Race.

Moving to the TT Races in 1947, he recorded a DNF in the June Races riding a Norton in the Junior TT. The following year, 1948 on an AJS an eighth place in the Junior was followed by another DNF in the Senior, this time riding an Italian Moto Guzzi.

His final appearance at the TT in 1949 saw the cheerful Irishman on Velocette machines, taking second place in the Junior and third in the Senior.

Ernie Lyons 1946 Senior Manx Grand Prix was the first on a Triumph motorcycle, their next was 2012 when John Simpson took the victory in the feature race of the Manx Grand Prix.

Ernie Lyons rode in the final Manx Grand Prix before the World War 2 and returned to the first ‘Manx’ after the hostilities ended – The Manx Grand Prix brought the curtain down to racing on the Snaefell Mountain Course in 1938 and brought it back to life in 1946.

Ernie Lyons was the oldest surviving winner of the Manx Grand Prix, the Manx Motor Cycle Club extend their condolences to his family and friends at the sad time.