He competed in the 500 cc Senior TT race on a Scott and retired after half a lap with damage to his motorcycle.

That year, the European Championship was held for the first time, at the Circuito di Milano in Monza, Italy.

In August, Simpson won the 350 cc German Grand Prix at the AVUS track.

He came third in the Junior TT and again won the 350 cc European Championship at the German Grand Prix, held at the Nürburgring.

At the Senior TT, Simpson became the first person to lap the Snaefell Mountain Course at 80 mph (130 km/h) but he retired.

He beat his teammates, Ernie Nott and Graham Walker, whilst setting a new lap record for the class and securing his first victory at the TT, which was also to be Rudge's last.

Simpson won the 350 cc European Championship title for the fifth time at the Dutch TT.