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Club pays tribute to Manx Grand Prix pioneer

The Manx Motorcycle Club has paid tribute to one of the pioneers of the Manx Grand Prix Kelly Swanston, who died last weekend at the age of 104.

After an undistinguished début in 1931 when he failed to finish, Kelly went on to complete every race he entered, winning the 1935 Senior Manx Grand Prix, having earlier that week secured third place in the Junior.

In a statement the MMC says is it very saddened to learn of his death. Kelly Swanston had been preparing to share his racing experiences at the MGP's 90th anniversary celebrations this year. The club says the veteran rider attended and thoroughly enjoyed the Manx Grand Prix's last big landmark, its 75th anniversary in 1998.

Dr J Kelly Swanston died at his home in Cumbria last Sunday after becoming ill two days earlier.

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