Barbara Bound, 50cc Itom Motorcycle Racer

Her father was TT racer Jim Bound of Watford, Montesa importer and creator of the EMB motorcycle.

"During the late 1950's I also had the pleasure of joining other young women racing various circuits being: Beryl Swain, Pauline Dale, Helen Mitchell (I think Margo Pearson came on the scene a little later) donning our black leathers etc.

Among such famous young men dominating the racing scene at that time I well remember John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Derek Minter and Bert Fruin (of the Fruin Dart machine) to name but a few the wonderful smell of "R" oil and the adrenalin buzzing through your veins while awaiting to push your machine into action as soon as the starter flag went down!"

Barbara Bound quoted by the Watford Observer

"When working for my father, I well remember the young and handsome Rex Avery (who lived in St James Road) visiting our workshop to see my father. Also Joe Erlick frequented the yard when, with all heads together, they would try to perfect the "perfect" machine. (My father "created" the EMB Motorcycle being my mother's initials).

In the early days I also remember a very young Barry Sheene riding around the paddock on a tiny motorcycle built for him, I believe, by his father."

Barbara Bound quoted at the 50cc Racing Club UK

Barbara Bound at Silverstone, 1958.