Hello Ian

My name is Carl Coleman, living in New Zealand. My father is Rod Coleman, ex-AJS factory team member and winner of the 1954 Junior TT aboard an AJS 7R3. With regard your posted question, Rod is now aged 90, having his birthday recently on 19 June 2016. Rod and Geoff Duke were very good friends both during their racing years and later years. At one stage, Geoff and his wife were seriously trying to emigrate to New Zealand, but our government (in their misguided wisdom) did not approve their application. They visited our family a few times in New Zealand and enjoyed the boating and relaxed lifestyle down here (particularly Lake Taupo where my family had a holiday home and motor yacht). Upon hearing of Geoff's passing, Rod asked me if I knew whether or not if Ken Kavanagh was still alive. To my knowledge he still is and is still living in Italy, as he married an Italian lady at the end of his racing career. I am unaware of any other past TT winner being older than Ken, and do think that Rod is probably now the second oldest living TT winner. I would appreciate your confirmation or otherwise. Regards, Carl.