Another legend gone

[Bryanj]

05:30 and just read that Phil Read has died RIP

[SteveD CB500K0]

I knew him reasonably well for a while in the late naughties.

I designed and ran his website from 2007 - 2010(ish).   We fell out as he never paid me (or anyone if the stories are true).

He “took” me to Spa in 2009 for the Classic. Paid my own bills. Spannered a bit. Met Ago and Hertog, Mick Grant is a lovely bloke.

His long-time partner Wendy died of covid. She was great.

Phil was a cantankerous old git at times. Loads of people hated him. He didn’t care.


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[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I remember him competing in the Isle of Man TT when I was a  teenager - he seemed fearless whatever size bike he rode.

[Bryanj]

Now im at home, another 13hr shift, i remember his Honda going bang when he was chasing Mike Hailwood on the isle of man, viscous rumours were it was deliberate

[Matt_Harrington]

Never met him but I remember his shop in Hersham (where we once lived)
Matt

[Spitfire]

Sad news, saw him when I went to my first race meeting at Oulton park sometime in the late sixties, lots of names racing that day, Rod Gould, Stuart Graham, and John Cooper on Hailwoods 500 - 4. Later saw him at Brands on the MV and in the IOM probably 1978.
From all accounts a rebel but a great rider.

Cheers

Dennis

[Sesman]

No disrespect intended, but I recall Mick Grant being interviewed at the IOM TT about PRs competitiveness. Reporter: “ Mick, do you think PR poses a threat”. Mick: “ Pose yes, threat no”. Mick wasn’t being cruel, he was just saying that PRs successful career was closing and he was wise not to jeopardise his future by being over ambitious in the face of superior machinery and meaner riders.

PR had a fantastic career and provided a lot of pleasure for many folks…he was an interesting character and the world is a poorer place without them.

RIP

[whiteylfc]

As a Honda fanatic in mid 70s I idolised Phil Read on his Honda Britain.I was on the Isle of Man when he lost to Mike Hail
wood and was gutted!!
They sat don't meet your hero but I did many times at classic bike events and he couldn't have been more pleasant and accomodating.I own 2 Phil Read Replicas and run the Honda Britain owners club which covers such bikes.Ill be watching this thread with alot of interest..

[flatfour]

My daughter and I met Phil read many times at the Coupe de Moto Legende in Dijon. He was always charming and courteous; at one point she even helped him out with the running of his stand when his usual assistant was not available, and he was busy signing autographs.

On a similar note, she also met Agostini at the same festival and he sat with her for some 45 minutes, chatting. He was similarly accommodating to me.

The regular at the Coupe that was perhaps most relaxed seemed to be Ron Chandler, who let my daughter sit on his bikes and push them around the paddock whilst he was at lunch.

All of them (and Jim Redman too) were always more than pleasant to us over very many years and have left us with some much-treasured memories and photos.

R.I.P Phil!

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Sad news, saw him when I went to my first race meeting at Oulton park sometime in the late sixties, lots of names racing that day, Rod Gould, Stuart Graham, and John Cooper on Hailwoods 500 - 4. Later saw him at Brands on the MV and in the IOM probably 1978.
From all accounts a rebel but a great rider.

Cheers

Dennis

John Cooper lives locally his Son-in-Law runs his old Garage Business in Chandos Pole Street, Derby - its a shadow of what it once was - John had some of his classic motorcycles stolen from the premises a few years ago now.

[cliff7]

Phil Read

[Laverda Dave]

Even the great PR loved a 400/4