10 Facts About Frank Perris

Frank Perris was a Canadian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer and TT rider from Toronto.

Frank Perris later became Competitions Manager for Norton-Villiers, running the reformed works Norton road-race team.

Frank Perris moved to England with his parents in 1938 and started road-riding during 1948 in the Chester area, firstly on a 1914 Douglas then buying a 1934 BSA Blue Star when joining the Chester Motor Club.

Frank Perris benefited by a sponsored bike, an OK Supreme provided by Bill Smith's father.

Frank Perris was entered in the Clubman's TT by Chester Motor Club, riding a Triumph T100 for Hector Dugdale finishing in 32nd position.

In 1953 Frank Perris sold both his old bikes to buy a new Triumph Grand Prix, winning his first race at Brands Hatch, with his growing experience enabling access to better machinery from established tuners-entrants John Viccars, Geoff Monty, Allen Dudley-Ward and Tom Kirby.

Frank Perris was picked for the 1955 works AJS team at Ulster Grand Prix with a contract for 1956 but all British manufacturers discontinued their activities.

Frank Perris then retired to South Africa running a business for two years but, with a hankering to race, returned to England entering the 1968 TT riding Suzukis for Eddie Crooks and again for half a season in 1969.

For 1971 Frank Perris was provided with a new Yamaha TD2 by Lord Denbigh Rollo Fielding, with Suzuki GB providing a Suzuki Daytona 500 on which Frank Perris claimed third place at the 1971 TT.

Frank Perris died on March 17,2015, from a lengthy undisclosed illness, according to his daughter, with a funeral on April 1,2015 at the Isle of Wight crematorium.