Derek Woodman Rides in His First TT Race

Derek Woodman, born in Blackpool on April 26, 1959, is a former world-class motorcycle racer and the longtime owner of one of the UK’s top BMW dealerships. Raised in a working-class family, he wasn’t expected to go far academically, but his love for motorcycles and mechanical work led him to become a skilled toolmaker. Despite his mother’s objections—due to a past family tragedy involving motorcycles—Derek’s passion for racing grew, and at 14, he visited the Isle of Man to watch the famous TT races, which left a lasting impression.

After leaving school at 15, he worked at a motorcycle shop for little pay, then took up an apprenticeship at Hawker Aircraft. He saved every penny to buy a motorcycle and dreamed of racing, eventually making his Isle of Man debut in 1956 at age 24. With little money to fund his passion, he worked three jobs to keep racing, eventually earning sponsorship that allowed him to race in the Isle of Man TT and score a world championship point by finishing 10th.

Derek’s racing career saw him compete in the “Continental Circus” and achieve a notable third place in a world championship round in 1965, but a crash in Belgium the following year set him back. After his recovery, he transitioned into running a garage in Blackpool, with financial support from Castrol. This led to a pivotal moment when BMW approached him to become a dealer. He eventually became a successful BMW agent, winning awards for exceptional service and building the well-known Derek Woodman BMW dealership.

The dealership thrived for over 40 years, earning a reputation for excellence in customer service. Derek retired in 2010, selling the business to Lloyd Motor Group. His nephew, Anthony Woodman, continued the family legacy by founding Woodman Motor Company and later expanding with the Woodman Howarth Motor Company, a joint venture with Waterside Motors.