Bernard Codd

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Bernard David Codd

Bernard Codd
Born 1934 (1934)
Wrangle
Died 29 July 2013 (aged 78–79)
Education Boston Grammar School (1945-1950)
Occupation Motorcycle racer
Years active 1955-1957 (as a motorcycle racer)
Notable work(s) Double Isle of Man TT champion

Bernard David Codd was educated at Boston Grammar School (1945-50).

Obituary

Based on an obituary in The Boston Standard

Bernard Codd’s motor racing career may have been a short one, but it saw him take one of the greatest prizes on two wheels.

On July 29 [2013], the double Isle of Man TT champion passed away, aged 79. But he leaves behind a triumph which - since the event began in 1904 - many have attempted, but few have managed. Codd’s two victories came in 1956... on the same day.

In the Junior (350cc race) he clocked a time of 1h 22m 40.4s to take the title on his BSA Gold Star. His dominance was proven from the off as he led all the way for three laps of the Mountain Circuit, averaging 82mph. Not content with his maiden victory, Codd doubled his tally after winning the Senior (500cc) race.

This time a rivalry emerged with Ron Jerrard[1]. However, the second and third laps saw him pull away, an average speed of 86mph seeing him clock 1h 18m 40.6s. Codd had also finished third in the Junior race the previous year.

Born to a farming family in Wrangle in 1934, Codd began riding an Ariel-Triumph around his parents’ land, before graduating to the county’s Cadwell Park circuit shortly after the Second World War. As a teenager, Codd met Leverton garage owner Austin Munks - a four-time Manx GP winner. Although Munks[2] was already sponsoring local rider Dickie Dale, Codd began racing under the same banner, although specialising in time trials.

Codd was also easy to spot when out on his bike as he always wore Boston’s three crowns crest (as seen on the Boston Borough Council crest and Boston Grammar School badge) on his helmet. But sadly, his career was over almost as soon as it had began. Four weeks after the 1957 TT - where he finished 11th - a crash at Crystal Palace involving another rider at Crystal Palace hitting him from behind shattered his right femur and ended his racing days.

References