Jump to content


Photo

Georges Jolly


  • Please log in to reply
No replies to this topic

#1 Michael Ferner

Michael Ferner
  • Member

  • 7,151 posts
  • Joined: November 09

Posted 10 March 2022 - 17:34

A Detroit newspaper listed amongst the starters of the 100-mile race at the Michigan State Fairgrounds on June 11 in 1916 a rider called Jolly - no first name, no hometown. My data on US motorcycle racing for this period is still limited, but I have no one by this or a similar name racing in the US - could it have been Georges Jolly from France, later winner of the 1920 French 500cc GP? I know, the chances of him escaping war in Europe and showing up to race in Michigan are slim, but he was active already before the war, so it's not completely unthinkable. He had a younger brother, too, Marcel Jolly who was about to become one of the main French bike riders of the twenties. Anyone know of biographical details which could support or reject this idea?