Gus Kuhn (1898-1966) Index Page
Gus Kuhn at the 1922 TT
Gus Kuhn was one of the pioneers of motorcycle sport. He started racing in his teens before the Great War and after leaving the RNAS in 1919 he won the first Victory Trial at only 20. He went on to compete successfully in trials (winning Gold Medals in the ISDT), scrambles and road races, including the TT.
Gus Kuhn

He took part in the earliest speedway meetings in the UK and was captain of Stamford Bridge when they won the first Southern League championship in 1929. Stamford Bridge Speedway closed in 1932 so he transferred to Wimbledon where he was a reliable and valuable team member for the next five years. He then did a stint for Wembley before becoming captain of the Lea Bridge team. He represented England at the first International 'Test Match' against Australia and rode for his country several times in the thirties.

In 1939 he had a brief spell with Southampton, but a combination of age and World War II brought his competitive career to an end. In any case, the motorcycle business he had started in 1932 was growing and that kept him busy.

He seems to have been 'up for anything' on two wheels. He rode the Wall of Death, motorcycle Gymkhana and in a stunt racing against a roller-skater! In his fifties he was still riding trials for the fun of it. He was a more than competent mechanic and was very popular, both with the fans and his fellow riders.

He dearly loved his wife and daughters and was a very indulgent grandfather! His death in 1966 was a great loss to his family and many friends.

You can follow Gus Kuhn's career, year by year. We also encompass some of the characters
he would have known, and competed against, as well as the speedway teams he rode for.