Bert le Vack

Le Vack was killed in a sidecar accident on 16 September 1931 near Bern, but is generally regarded as being one of the greatest racing motorcyclists of his day.

In 1912 he competed in the London to Edinburgh Run and in 1913 he was working with another JAP test rider at Brooklands called John Wallace, who was sacked for being 'under age'.

On the outbreak of World War I they both joined Scottish car makers Arrol-Johnston and turned their talents to designing, assembling and testing aero engines.

After the war le Vack had his own garage and it was a chance exchange of a Scott for an MAG-engined Edmund that re-awakened his interest in motorcycle racing.

in a rare interview for The Motor Cycle in 1923 with the title 'The Making of a Speed Man', he described his early days when he nearly blew himself up by looking into a petrol tank at night with a match.

[3] His ashes were returned to England and interred near Brooklands in St Mary's churchyard, Byfleet not far from the grave of racing driver Parry Thomas.

In 1923 he secured second place in the 1923 Lightweight Tourist Trophy Races with a New Imperial 250 cc – despite a breakdown that meant he had to push the bike half a mile to the finish.