CLASSICRACERPEOPLE
26 ClassicRacer
“Once Igot offthe bikemylegs felt like
jelly and Icould hardlystand up. It was
like comingontodry land after abad ferry
crossing.Peoplewere slapping me on the
back, there were congratulationsand smiles,
thecrowd wasyelling. It allseemedsofar
awayfrom me at that moment. Iwanted only
onething –tocollapseand be alone.
“WhenIgot to the winner’srostrum Iwas
met with astanding ovation, the presscalled
it the race of the century, just as theyhad a
week before in the Isle of Man.
“Nobbysaid to me: ‘This is getting real
rough,arace of the centuryevery weekend.’
“In the shadeofthe Honda garage Ilay
spread eagled on theconcrete floor because
this wasthe coolestplace we had.
“Notonlywas Imelting physically but Iwas
burning insidewith the satisfactionof having
riddenthe raceofmylifeand won, despite
having aslowerbike.
“I took down thetop of my leathers and
washedmy face withEau de Cologne, all
thewhilethinking,‘I’mtoo oldfor this type
of race.Idon’t ever want to have to ride like
that again.’
“However, just an hourand ahalf later I
had to be on the starting line forthe 125race,
againwith Philand the rest as opponents and I
knewIcouldexpectanother very difficultrace.
“I just layonthe concrete and tried to get
abit cooler.Everyone leftmealonebecause
they knewthe state Iwas in.
“I hadwon tworacesand all that Icould
think of waswhetherIcouldget threein a
day. Following teamordersand just ridingfor
afinish nevercrossedmy mind.
“““IIIkkknewPPPhhhiiilllwasjjjust as exhhhaustedddanddd
wearyasIwas. Iheard that he waslyingon
hiscamp bed,acigaretttttebetween hislips,and Iknewthat he waswishingthe 125race
wasoverasmuchasIwas, andhehadn’t
done the 350 race likeIhad.
“Wewalked slowly to the start line again
as our bikes were brought out forthe 125
race. Forthe public it wasgoing to be an
incredible race, but forusriders it wasajob
that had to be done.However, very quickly
excitement had the adrenaline pumping.I
didn’t feel tired anymoreand theaches and
pains were gone.
“““IIInthhheiiirplllacewas abbburniiingdddesiiire to wiiin
again. Iwas goingtowin and therewouldbe
no secondplace or ridingforafinish.“PhilRead tookthe leadbecause Imade
aterrible start–almostlast away–but Iwas
so keyedupfrom the 250 race thatIjust
carvedddmy waythhhroughhhthhhefififiellldddfffromnearllly
last.Icaught up andpassedHughAnderson,
Suzuki’stop rider,who had madeagood start.Above:1964FrenchGPNo. 37 Phil Readleads
No.23Jim Redman.Below: Jim Redman(left) and Phil Read(right)
at the 1964 JuniorTT.022 Jim Redman_SEP.indd 26 02/08/201710:37:49