THE MAN WITH THE HEART OF A LION
DAVID MASON
Publication: Out Now, RRP: £25.00Format: Hardback, ISBN: 978 1 84425 540 5
Published in association with The Michael Sedgwick Memorial Trust
The only ever person to win the TT on two, three and four wheels
Frederick William Dixon was rightly hailed by Sir Malcolm Campbell as "The Man with the Heart of a Lion." From modest beginnings in the north-east of England, Freddie, as he was known, became a master of racing in the 1920s and 1930s, and the only person to win the TT on two, three and four wheels. Here is the story of a true British character, a man who left an indelible mark on the record books, and on all those who met him or raced against him.
Daring and skilful rider and driver, inspired engineer, hell-raiser and pioneer, 'Freddie' Dixon was a unique character. His remarkable achievements in the TT, on the Isle of Man, at Brooklands and at Donington are legendary. His riding and driving were spirited to the point of being reckless, and 'Flying Freddie' always thrilled the watching crowds, who viewed him as a hero.
On two wheels Freddie championed the Indian and Harley-Davidson marques, and on four wheels he was a rare exponent of the Riley marque. An innovative thinker, he had an unsurpassed ability to see engineering problems in their simplest terms, which played a significant part in his success.
Dixon was equally competitive off-track, and his legendary penchant for wild celebrations, regardless of success or failure, fuelled his reputation as a hard- working, hard-drinking racer. The true story of his controversial trial and imprisonment is told here for the first time. Dixon's wild exploits set him apart from his competitors, but do not detract from his many achievements. Above all, Frederick William Dixon was a vivid and controversial character whose story brightens our world.
The author, David Mason, practices as a barrister and lives in Darlington. He has had a life-long passion for cars and racing, and it was his ownership of a 1933 Riley Lynx that led him to the Freddie Dixon story. Researching and writing this biography of Freddie Dixon has been a real labour of love for David.
