Hold On!

Stan Dibben is one of life’s true gentlemen, a man who has been there and won a world championship, competed at the highest levels and had a life that would wear most people out. Despite that he is modest, almost to a fault as he recounts ‘life on the edge’ in his autobiography.

The last of course refers to his time balancing a sidecar as Eric Oliver took the two of them on the works Norton to the 1953 World Championship. Although his main fame came from that historic win and his subsequent partnering on various chairs, including Cyril Smith, he was a very competent and successful solo rider as well, both on the rough and tarmac.

He was also the man responsible for developing the Norton Model 88, riding 48,000 miles in the process. Not only could he ride, but he was no mean mechanic, which is no doubt why he was employed in Norton’s experimental workshop, having come from working on the Goldstar at BSA.

After retiring from being an active participant in the ‘Continental Circus’ he carved a career in the motorcycle trade, first with a chain company, then NGK spark plugs.

He also found time to become part of Donald Campbell’s World Land Speed record attempt with Bluebird and even designed a shopping trolley!

As Stan recounts, all of this was a long way from an education at a boarding school and a career in the Navy as an electrician. A talented trumpet player, he nearly ended up being a full time musician, which would have definitely resulted in the motorcycle world losing out!  

From this brief resume, you can see that he is just very talented in many areas and has crammed a lot into his life. He tells his story in a very modest, matter of fact style, which at times leaves you wanting to know more. Having said that, I read all 128 pages of the well illustrated soft-bound tome in one go as I just became totally immersed in his story.

I can only say that this is a book that should be on every school’s reading lists, as it inspires you and shows how you can really succeed if you want to. Stan Dibben is that inspiration and his book is a must read!
Just one point though, do not read Dr George Cohen’s badly written  forward, which could spoil your read, leave it to the end!

Published by Panther Publishing (www.panther-publishing.com) it costs just £12.95 plus post and packing. ISBN 978 0 9556595 1 5
 

Review by Ian Kerr