Top Men In Europe: Phil Read

TOP MEN IN EUROPE: PHIL READ

B. R. Nicholls

NOT MANY MOTHERS offer their sons every encouragement when they show an interest in motorcycling, but Phil Read is lucky to have just such a mother and, what is more, one who has helped him in every way to go racing. Her encouragement has meant much to Phil and has been rewarded by seeing her son rise to the top in the racing game, for there are not many riders who can claim to have won the Junior T.T. at the first attempt.

Phil first rode in the Isle of Man in 1958, finishing third in a newcomer's race at the Manx Grand Prix meeting. Two years later he won the Senior Manx race at a record speed and with a record lap at over 97 mph on a machine without streamlining. That was in 1960 so in 1961 he had to graduate to the T.T. meeting. Having served his apprentice in the Manx races he proved master of his craft with a win in the Junior race. Then in 1962 he was lying second in the Senior on the last lap when he had to retire at Ramsey with mechanical trouble.

In production machine racing with codriver Brian Setchell he won both the British long distance events mounted on a 650cc Norton twin entered by the ex-Norton team ace Syd Lawton. So far in 1963 he has proved the outstanding private owner, having chased the Gileras hard at Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Oulton Park.

But he has a sound business head and with no chance of beating the Gileras, M.V.'s, Hondas and Jawas, etc., in the larger capacity Grands Prix, Phil has decided to contest the short circuit season in England, with the T.T. thrown in for good measure, for that is where experience and ability count more than anything else.