Of the 250cc lightweights Albert Milner's two-stroke Levis, Bert Kershaw's New Imperial and Walter Jacob's Acme Junior, were setting the pace at the start. In the absence of the AJS team, which had done so well in the Isle of Man TT, a Blackburne machine seemed a likely leader of the 350cc Class. But, to the amazement of one-and-all N. Norris had moved into an early lead on his 349cc Ivy Super Sports two-stroke. He had only come in at the last minute as a reserve entry.
After 37 laps, or approximately 100 miles, the class leaders were: 1000cc - Bert Le Vack (998 sv 'Powerplus' Indian), 80.77mph; 750cc - E. W. Parham (688 Coventry-Victor flat-twin), 60.71 mph; 500cc - Victor Horsman (490 sv Norton), 65.01 mph; 350cc - N. Norris (349 Ivy); and in the 250cc - Bert Kershaw (249 New Imperial), 57.42mph. These speeds were considerably higher than were expected.
At 45 laps Le Vack fell out with a deflated rear tyre on the Railway Straight and in the process of walking his machine back to the Fork, handed Douglas Davidson (989 Harley-Davidson) a six-lap lead. After 200 miles the tough wiry little Middlesborough rider Freddie Dixon led the 1000cc Class on his 989cc Harley-Davidson at 74.34mph. Harry Bashall (678 Martinsyde) lay first in the 750cc Class at 57.29mph, while Victor Horsman steadfastly maintained his lead at 62.75mph in the 500cc category. In the 350cc and 250cc Class Norris and Kershaw still held their respective positions.
Harry Bashall led the Martinsyde team comprising himself, his brother John ('Bizzy') Bashall (678 Martinsyde) and Harold Bowen (497 Martinsyde), that had been entered for the manufacturer's team prize. During the race, because of the short stub exhaust systems used, all three riders wore asbestos gaiters to protect their legs. Despite the protection afforded by these, Harry Bashall received a nasty gash on his shin due to a piece of concrete thrown up from the track. He was soon in great pain and pulled into the pits for treatment by the track physician Doctor Eric Gardner, who advised him to retire. But Harry felt that the team had a good chance of finishing intact and taking the manufacturer's prize if he could continue and so it was to prove. He got going again after a 30-minute rest, which time lost him his chance of winning the 750cc Class, of course. But decided to persevere.
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