The 250cc fully radial 4 valve Rudge engine was designed for the 1931 season. Its first racing appearance was at the 1931 North West 200 in the hands of Tyrell Smith, where it broke the lap record while leading comfortably, only to retire with oiling problems due, apparently to the oil pipes being connected the wrong way round!!

Following on from the success of the 350cc & 500cc machines at the 1930 TT, where they 'swept the board', the new 250cc Rudge staked its claim on the 250cc Lightweight class in 1931. Graham Walker led the Rudge team to an incredible 1st, 2nd & 4th with Tyrell Smith and Ernie Nott. However it could have been a 1-2-3, as Nott was leading on the last lap, but a tappet locknut came loose, which he had to hold in place with his hand to finish the race!

Ernie Nott had similar bad luck in the 1932 Lightweight TT, as his engine blew on the final lap whilst again leading. This left Graham Walker and Wal Handley to finish 2nd and 3rd.

With no 'Official' Rudge team in 1933, there was only one podium position at the TT, with Charlie Manders taking his privately entered works 250 to 3rd.

The 250cc Rudge took a 1-2-3 in the 1934 TT with Jimmy Simpson leading Graham Walker's 'syndicate' team to victory with Nott in 2nd and Walker 3rd. Tyrell Smith also took wins in the German and Belgian Grand Prix.

The 1935 lightweight TT saw another 2 podiums for the 250 with Tyrell Smith second and Ernie Nott third.