Tom's double Isle of Man TT wins in 1976 really catapulted the popular Ulsterman on to the world stage.
Eddie Mateer, a well known authority on motorcycle racing and a one-time near neighbour of Tom's, takes up the story of the two race winning machines.
'There have been many great successes on the Isle of Man over the years and right up there with the best is Tom Herron's double in 1976, the last TT races to be counted for World Championship Grand Prix points.
Tom was one of Ulster's greatest riders of all time and is still held in high esteem all over the world.
By winning the Senior and Lightweight (250) races on TZ 'C' Yamahas he became the first Irishman to win two TT's in one year since 'Works' Guzzi rider Stanley Woods in 1935. When Herron won the 250cc race he led the World Championship by one point from Walter Villa.
At the end of the year Tom finished fourth in the 250cc World Championship behind Villa, Katayama and Bonera.
With the 354cc engine fitted Tom won the Senior TT and went on to finish 13th in the 500cc World Championship.
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Pictured right with Tom's two Yamahas are, Jim Finlay, Jim McCullagh, John Rea, Stanley Woods
Eddie Mateer and David Mateer.
Photo Courtesy: Eddie Mateer
By Kind Permission.
With the 350cc unit in place this hard riding privateer also finished fourth in the World Championship behind Villa, Cecotto and Mortimer.
In 1983 these 1976 TZ 'C' Yamahas were meticulously restored and after a spell on display in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum are now in the owner's private collection in Northern Ireland.
Before being displayed the bikes were examined by the legendary Stanley Woods as well as Tom's sponsors, John Rea and Jim Finlay.
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Tom at Sulby Bridge during his Lightweight 250 TT race win and his bike which is now part of the Eddie Mateer Collection.
Photos: Tom'TW'Herron.com / Bill Snelling www.fottofinders.co.uk
Tom'TW'Herron.com
April 2010
Tom wins the Senior TT on the Isle of Man in 1976.
Photo Courtesy: Bill Snelling
By Kind Permission
Tom's 1976 Senior TT winning Yamaha.
Mateer Private Collection.
Photo: © Tom'TW'Herron.com
With thanks to Eddie Mateer
