Freddie Dixon

Freddie Dixon
Dixon at the controls of his 1923 TT-winning 'flat-tank' Douglas banking sidecar outfit with front disc brake
Nationality	British
Born	(1892-04-21)21 April 1892
Died	4 November 1956(1956-11-04) (aged 64)
Motorcycle racing career statistics Isle of Man TT career TTs contested 10 (1912, 1920-1928) TT wins 2 First TT win 1923 Sidecar TT Last TT win 1927 Junior TT Podiums 5

Frederick William Dixon (21 April 1892 – 4 November 1956 ) was an English motorcycle racer and racing car driver. The designer of the motorcycle and banking sidecar system, he was also one of the few motorsport competitors to have been successful on two, three and four wheels. He was twice awarded the BRDC Gold Star for car racing. Dixon, who had the nickname "Flying Freddie", was born at , County Durham, England, one of eight children of John and Martha Dixon (née Agar).

After leaving school at the age of thirteen he was employed in a cycle shop but soon moved on to work in a local garage. He acquired his first motorcycle in 1909 and within a year was competing in speed and hill climb events. His first Isle of Man TT race was in 1912 on a "Cleveland Precision" motorcycle but the machine was not up to the challenge.

During World War I Dixon spent four years in the Army Service Corps and finished with the rank of staff sergeant.

After war service he went into business for himself at Park Garage, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough. During this time he gained many placings in the Isle of Man TT races in various categories throughout 1921, 1923, 1924, 1926 and 1927.

Dixon was quite an expert at motorcycle and sidecar racing, culminating in first place in the 1923 Isle on Man TT with passenger Thomas Walter Denney on a Douglas fitted with his banking sidecar system and three-wheel disc brakes. His design leaned the sidecar following the motorcycle direction around the race circuit bends, and was operated by the passenger moving a large lever attached to the sidecar chassis, as was the sidecar brake.

His victory in 1927 was on an HRD Machine as a factory rider, becoming the first man to win both a sidecar and solo race at the Isle of Man TT. He retired from motorcycle racing in 1928.