Will Catlin's Pierrots
Will Catlin’s Pierrots were a well-known sight on the north-east coast, performing on the beaches and their own open-air theatre in Scarborough.
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Flying Freddie Dixon
Have you heard of Flying Freddie Dixon?
This Stockton lad became well known for his motorcycle designs, he is also the only person to have competed and won Tourist Trophy races on two, three and four wheels during his motorsport career, showcasing his adaptability across different forms of racing.
Freddie Dixon in his home. Photo Courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
The birthplace of Freddie Dixon, on Alliance Street. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds.
Freddie Dixon was born 21 April 1892, at 31 Alliance Street, Stockton-on-Tees. He was a famous English motorcycle racer and racing car driver, who was nicknamed “Flying Freddie” by fans.
After leaving school at the age of thirteen Freddie worked in a cycle shop, and then a garage in Yarm Lane, before buying his first motorcycle in 1909. Within a year Freddie was competing in events in and around Stockton. During World War One Freddie took a break from motorsports, spending four years in the Royal Army Service Corps, and becoming Staff Sergeant.
Park Garage, Linthorpe Road. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
After the war he returned to motorsports placing in various race categories throughout the 1920s. He also worked at Park Garage, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, carrying on his motorcycle and later car dealership business.
Freddie’s first major win was in 1923, at the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Motorcycle and Sidecar event with passenger Thomas Walter Denny. They won the race on a ‘Douglas’ motorcycle which had been fitted with the motorcycle and banking sidecar system which he famously designed.
Freddie Dixon and Walter Denny racing. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
Freddie’s first major win was in 1923, at the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Motorcycle and Sidecar event with passenger Thomas Walter Denny. They won the race on a ‘Douglas’ motorcycle which had been fitted with the motorcycle and banking sidecar system which he famously designed.
Later, in 1927, Freddie had his first solo TT win, making him the first man to win both solo and sidecar TT races.
Freddie Dixon and Margaret Thew on their Wedding Day. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
In January 1926 Freddie married Margaret Thew at St. Barnabas Church, Middlesbrough and the couple had a daughter, Jean.
By 1928 he retired from motorcycle racing but continued to work in the Design and Racing departments of Douglas for a further two years.
Freddie riding as mechanic to Rita Don. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
In the 1933 Ladies Race, Brooklands, Freddie rode as mechanic to Rita Don, who is pictured above, driving his Riley car. Rita won the race by a large margin, and it is said that Freddie supported her in the win by keeping the hand throttle open and letting her know if she braked too early.
Le Mans
In 1934 Freddie came third at Le Mans, with teammate Cyril Paul, racing in a Riley car. Together, Dixon and Paul travelled 2688.156 kms (1670.3427 miles) during this race to secure third place, and their first time on this podium.
Le Mans is a well-known 24-hour track run annually (with few exceptions) since 1923 at the Sarthe road-racing circuit, near Le Mans, France. The winner of Le Mans is the car that travels the greatest distance in a 24-hour period.
Freddie Dixon in his Riley racing car. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
In 1932, Freddie moved on to motorcar racing, using his own Riley cars.
He had an impressive motorsport career having twice been awarded the British Racing Drivers Club Gold Star for car racing.
In 1948 he was contacted by the Douglas motorcycle company to help in the development of their T35 motorcycle which was one of the first real new British post war designs, he redesigned the top half of the engine.
A Scientific Approach
Freddie working on an engine in his workshop. Photograph courtesy of Preston Park Museum & Grounds
Known as a person who pushed the boundaries of what was mechanically possible, Freddie has a scientific approach to racing. He experimented with aerodynamics, suspension, and engine tuning, modifying his own Riley cars and even inventing a banking sidecar that leaned into corners, improving handling and safety.
Freddie Dixon died on 5 November 1956 in Reigate, Surrey, at the age of 64.
Two out of three of his cars are still running, and are occasionally shown at vintage racing events, and classic car shows across the UK, whilst the third was scrapped by him following a crash.
He is remembered as a pioneer who bridged the gap between rider, driver, and engineer. His hands on approach as a driver has been an influence on the modern day, with some drivers being very involved in the set-up of their race cars.
