PHIL READ REPLICAS
Phil Read captured the TT Formula 1 title at the 1977 Isle of Man campaigning a factory-prepared Honda CB750. The win, however, was somewhat controversial.
That’s because in 1972, Read was one of several Grand Prix racers who began boycotting the Isle of Man TT course as too dangerous.
In 1976, as a result of the boycott, the FIM declared the Isle of Man was no longer a part of the Grand Prix circuit.
In a Common Tread story at Revzilla.com, well-known TT enthusiast and author Mark Gardiner writes, “The Manx tourism industry and race organizers had a powerful incentive to convince 60,000 race fans to keep attending the TT, even though it was no longer the British Grand Prix, no longer part of the real World Championship, and no longer attracting the biggest stars of the day. In a bid to hold fan interest, the organizers offered Phil Read £10,000 in start money.”
This was the first TT Formula 1 race and Read not only started — but finished at the top of the podium. While some fans were displeased with Read’s earlier attitude toward the Isle of Man and his subsequent return for the start money, others weren’t as obviously upset.
That included Honda Britain.
