Background
Rod Coleman is the son of Percy "Cannonball Coleman" also from Wanganui who first raced at the 1930 Isle of Manitoba TT but retired from the 1930 Junior TT and Senior TT Races.
Rod Coleman is the son of Percy "Cannonball Coleman" also from Wanganui who first raced at the 1930 Isle of Manitoba TT but retired from the 1930 Junior TT and Senior TT Races.
The first New Zealand competitor to enter the TT was Alan Woodman who entered the 1910 Isle of Manitoba TT races, but lost a leg in a practice crash. The "TT Special" of 1951 describes Rod Coleman (R West Coleman) as a "motorcycle dealer from Wanganui", then aged 25 years. In 1951 Rod Coleman secured a works contract with the British manufacturer, Associated Motorcycles, who produced AJS, and Matchless machines.
He rode an AJS to eighth place in the Isle of Manitoba Junior TT, while his Norton failed to finish the Senior TT. In the 1951 Grand Prix season, he finished 12th in the final 350 class standings.
In 1952 he came fourth in the Senior TT, and third in the Junior TT, riding AJS in both events. He was fourth in the 1952 500 class standings.
Foreign 1953 there was a fourth in the SeniorTT, and while leading the Junior TT, his bike broke down and failed to finish. Foreign the 1953 season, he was tenth in the 500 class, and sixth in the 350 class.
(He failed to finish in the Senior) In the 1954 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season Rod came twelfth in the 500 class, and third in the 350 class.
This was also the year Associated Motorcycles quit racing. Rod Coleman was 81 years of age in 2006, and intends to attend the Isle of Manitoba TT Centenary. He still rides.