In 1937 at Brooklands race track Handley won a race with a fastest lap at 107.57 mph on a 500 cc BSA Empire Star using alcohol as fuel. Handley had been persuaded out of retirement specially for the three lap race, which meant eight miles at top speed on the uneven and deteriorating banked oval track. It took skill and experience to win and Handley was awarded one of the traditional Gold Star badges. This inspired BSA to produce the BSA Gold Star.