Jim Redman

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This article is about the motorcycle racer. For the cricketer, see Jim Redman (cricketer).

Jim Redman
06-08-05-RupHollGedenk-Jim REDMAN-108.jpg
Jim Redman in 2006
NationalityRhodesian
Born (1931-11-08) 8 November 1931 (age 90)
London, England
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1959 – 1966
First race1959 350cc West German Grand Prix
Last race1966 250cc Belgian Grand Prix
First win1961 250cc Belgian Grand Prix
Last win1966 500cc Dutch TT
Team(s)Honda
Championships250cc – 1962, 1963
350cc – 1962 – 1965
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
135 45 98 N/A 35 546

James Albert Redman, MBE (born 8 November 1931) is a British-born Rhodesian former professional motorcycle racer. He competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1959 to 1966. Redman is notable for being a six-time Grand Prix road racing world champion.[1] In 2012, Redman was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.[2]

History[]

Redman c. 1966

Born in London, England, he emigrated to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1952, where he began his racing career. He met with John Love who was changing from motorcycle racing to single-seat cars. Redman enthusiastically helped Love prepare and maintain his Cooper F3 with a Manx Norton 500 cc engine. In recognition for Redman's assistance, Love allowed Redman to ride his Triumph Grand Prix including use of his riding gear for his first racing experiences.[3]

Redman acquired more experience on his home tracks, culminating in winning the 350 cc Rhodesian Championship, after which he aspired to European racing, starting at Brands Hatch in the company of Geoff Duke and a young, rising Mike Hailwood. After changing his riding style to better-suit the European circuits, Redman achieved some success, but retired from motorcycle racing and returned to Rhodesia in 1959. Still wanting to race, Redman returned to Europe where he hoped to secure a contract riding for Walter Kaaden's MZ team in 125 cc and 250 cc classes.[3] He unexpectedly gained factory rides in selected races with Honda for part of the 1960 season due to an injury suffered by regular rider Tom Phillis, and became himself contracted for the 1961 season.[3]

Redman would go on to claim four consecutive 350cc World Championships from 1962 to 1965. In 1962 and 1963 he claimed double championships winning both the 250cc and 350cc World Championships. After being injured at the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix, Redman made the decision to retire.[4]

Redman was also a six-time Isle of Man TT winner, taking double wins in 1963, 1964 and 1965 in the Lightweight & Junior TT Races.[5] He achieved a total of 45 Grand Prix victories. Redman was awarded the MBE for his achievements.

Personal life[]

In 1966, Jim Redman published a book about his racing career, Wheels of Fortune. In 2013, he published his book, Jim Redman: Six Times World Motorcycle Champion – The Autobiography.

Grand Prix motorcycle racing results[]

Position 1 2 3 4 5 6
Points 8 6 4 3 2 1

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Points Rank Wins
1959 350cc Norton FRA
- 		IOM
- 		GER
6 		NED
- 		BEL
- 		SWE
6 		ULS
- 		NAT
- 		2 15th 0
500cc Norton FRA
- 		IOM
- 		GER
- 		NED
5 		BEL
- 		SWE
- 		ULS
- 		NAT
- 		2 15th 0
1960 125cc Honda IOM
- 		NED
4 		BEL
9 		ULS
- 		NAT
4 		6 7th 0
250cc Honda IOM
- 		NED
8 		BEL
- 		GER
NC 		ULS
3 		NAT
2 		10 4th 0
500cc Norton FRA
- 		IOM
- 		NED
- 		BEL
5 		GER
- 		ULS
5 		NAT
6 		5 9th 0
1961 125cc Honda ESP
3 		GER
7 		FRA
3 		IOM
4 		NED
2 		BEL
3 		DDR
6 		ULS
4 		NAT
5 		SWE
3 		ARG
2 		28 4th 0
250cc Honda ESP
4 		GER
2 		FRA
6 		IOM
3 		NED
3 		BEL
1 		DDR
2 		ULS
3 		NAT
1 		SWE
4 		ARG
3 		36 3rd 2
1962 125cc Honda ESP
2 		FRA
2 		IOM
5 		NED
2 		BEL
2 		GER
10 		ULS
3 		DDR
2 		NAT
4 		FIN
1 		ARG
- 		38 2nd 1
250cc Honda ESP
1 		FRA
1 		IOM
2 		NED
1 		BEL
2 		GER
1 		ULS
2 		DDR
1 		NAT
1 		ARG
- 		48 1st 6
350cc Honda IOM
- 		NED
1 		ULS
1 		DDR
1 		NAT
1 		FIN
2 		32 1st 4
1963 125cc Honda ESP
2 		GER
NC 		FRA
2 		IOM
6 		NED
NC 		BEL
2 		ULS
7 		DDR
5 		NAT
2 		FIN
- 		ARG
1 		JPN
2 		33 3rd 1
250cc Honda ESP
2 		GER
3 		IOM
1 		NED
1 		BEL
- 		ULS
1 		DDR
3 		NAT
2 		ARG
2 		JPN
1 		44 1st 4
350cc Honda GER
1 		IOM
1 		NED
1 		ULS
1 		DDR
3 		NAT
1 		FIN
2 		JPN
1† 		32 1st 5
1964 125cc Honda USA
- 		ESP
2 		FRA
NC 		IOM
2 		NED
1 		GER
1 		DDR
3 		ULS
NC 		FIN
3 		NAT
6 		JPN
- 		36 2nd 2
250cc Honda USA
- 		ESP
2 		FRA
NC 		IOM
1 		NED
1 		BEL
2 		GER
2 		DDR
2 		ULS
2 		NAT
3 		JPN
1 		42 2nd 3
350cc Honda IOM
1 		NED
1 		GER
1 		DDR
1 		ULS
1 		FIN
1 		NAT
1 		JPN
1 		40 1st 8
1965 125cc Honda USA
- 		GER
- 		ESP
- 		FRA
- 		IOM
- 		NED
- 		DDR
- 		CZE
- 		ULS
- 		FIN
- 		NAT
- 		JPN
NC 		0 – 0
250cc Honda USA
- 		GER
- 		ESP
- 		FRA
NC 		IOM
1 		NED
2 		BEL
1 		DDR
1 		CZE
3 		ULS
- 		FIN
- 		NAT
- 		JPN
- 		34 3rd 3
350cc Honda GER
NC 		IOM
1 		NED
1 		DDR
1 		CZE
1 		ULS
NC 		FIN
- 		NAT
- 		JPN
2 		38 1st 4
1966 250cc Honda ESP
NC 		GER
2 		FRA
2 		NED
3 		BEL
3 		DDR
- 		CZE
- 		FIN
- 		ULS
- 		IOM
- 		NAT
- 		JPN
- 		20 3rd 0
350cc Honda GER
- 		FRA
3 		NED
- 		DDR
- 		CZE
- 		FIN
- 		ULS
- 		IOM
- 		NAT
- 		JPN
- 		4 15th 0
500cc Honda GER
1 		NED
1 		BEL
NC 		DDR
- 		CZE
- 		FIN
- 		ULS
- 		IOM
- 		NAT
- 		16 5th 2

† The 1963 350cc Japanese Grand Prix was a non-championship event.

References[]

  1. ^ Jim Redman career statistics. MotoGP.com
  2. ^ "FIM Legends" (PDF). fim-live.com. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Carrick, Peter Motor Cycle Racing Hamlyn Publishing, 1969, p. 72 ISBN 0 600 02506 3
  4. ^ 50 Years of Moto Grand Prix (1st edition). Hazelton Publishing Ltd, 1999. ISBN 1-874557-83-7
  5. ^ Jim Redman. iomtt.com

External links[]

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