Double 500cc world champion Phil Read dies aged 83 – Motorsport. com

Read, born Phillip William Read in Luton on new year’s day within 1939, began his grand prix racing career in 1961, taking a first win in the 350cc class at the Isle of Man TT, which was then the British round associated with what we know now as the MotoGP world championship.

This would be the particular first of eight TT wins for Read, who over his career would earn the nickname the particular Prince associated with Speed.

Read was a significant name in Yamaha’s road race history, as he secured the Japanese marque its first globe title within 1964 in the 250cc class.

He would dominate the class within 1965 with seven wins, but wouldn’t be crowned world champion again until 1968 when he guided Yamaha to both the particular 125cc and 250cc titles.

A 250cc champion again in 1971, Read might finish fourth at the Nations Grand Prix in Italy that year on a Ducati within the premier class.

He dovetailed 250cc and 350cc campaigns in 1972 with regard to Yamaha plus MV Agusta, before switching full-time in order to MV machinery from 1973 in the 350cc and 50cc world championships.

He won the first of his two premier course titles within 1973 after beating Kiwi Kim Newcombe by 21 points right after amassing four victories, becoming the very first rider in history to win competition within the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes.

Phil Read

Photo by: Gold plus Goose / Motorsport Images

Read was 500cc champ again in 1974 following another 4 race is victorious, and only missed out upon a third in order to Giacomo Agostini – that had switched from MV to Yamaha – simply by eight points.

He’d briefly ride regarding Suzuki within 1976, after which he called time on their grand prix career. Go through continued racing at various events, including the TT, until his retirement aged 43 in 1982.

Study remained a constant throughout race paddocks well after their retirement, eventually being named a MotoGP legend by Dorna Sports.

The Briton passed away on 6 October, along with the FIM leading tributes to the double 500cc world champion.

“The FIM is sad to announce the sudden and recent passing associated with seven-times FIM Grand Tarifs Road Racing World Champion Phillip Bill Read at the age of eighty-three years old, ” the statement read.

“Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Speed’, Read was the first man to win planet championships within the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc courses.

“Phil received his 1st title in 1964 and then followed it up with another 250 tournament the subsequent year.

“However, his best-ever season has been perhaps within 1968 whenever he earned both the 125 and 250 championships in the same season. This individual also went on to secure back-to-back 500cc title benefits in 1973 and 1974.

Phil Examine

Photo simply by: Dave Dyer

“A true character on and off the particular track, Phil will be skipped by all that knew and met him. The entire FIM Family extends the condolences in order to his family and many friends at this sad plus difficult period. ”

Yamaha UK added: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Phil Read.

“Phil raced to Yamaha’s very first World Championship in 1964 going on to safe four more titles with Yamaha, which includes one because a privateer. Our thoughts are along with Phil’s family and friends. ”

Dual 500cc entire world champion Freddie Spencer labelled Read since “one from the greats”, while 2020 MotoGP world champ Joan Mir simply wrote “rest within peace, legend” on his social media channels.

On Twitter, 1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill said he “won’t forget” how Read “helped me when I lost my dad” Graham, who else died in 1975 in a plane crash.