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, the F.I.M. inducted Redman into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.[2]

Jim Redman
Redman in 2006
NationalityZimbabwean
Born (1931-11-08) 8 November 1931 (age 92)
London, England
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years19591966
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 – 19621965
StartsWinsPodiumsPolesF. lapsPoints
1354598N/A35546

History

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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 (2) pursues Giacomo Agostini (3) during the 1966 500cc Dutch TT.

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

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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

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Position123456
Points864321

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearClassTeam12345678910111213PointsRankWins
1959350ccNortonFRA
-
IOM
-
GER
6
NED
-
BEL
-
SWE
6
ULS
-
NAT
-
215th0
500ccNortonFRA
-
IOM
-
GER
-
NED
5
BEL
-
SWE
-
ULS
-
NAT
-
215th0
1960125ccHondaIOM
-
NED
4
BEL
9
ULS
-
NAT
4
67th0
250ccHondaIOM
-
NED
8
BEL
-
GER
NC
ULS
3
NAT
2
104th0
500ccNortonFRA
-
IOM
-
NED
-
BEL
5
GER
-
ULS
5
NAT
6
59th0
1961125ccHondaESP
3
GER
7
FRA
3
IOM
4
NED
2
BEL
3
DDR
6
ULS
4
NAT
5
SWE
3
ARG
2
284th0
250ccHondaESP
4
GER
2
FRA
6
IOM
3
NED
3
BEL
1
DDR
2
ULS
3
NAT
1
SWE
4
ARG
3
363rd2
1962125ccHondaESP
2
FRA
2
IOM
5
NED
2
BEL
2
GER
10
ULS
3
DDR
2
NAT
4
FIN
1
ARG
-
382nd1
250ccHondaESP
1
FRA
1
IOM
2
NED
1
BEL
2
GER
1
ULS
2
DDR
1
NAT
1
ARG
-
481st6
350ccHondaIOM
-
NED
1
ULS
1
DDR
1
NAT
1
FIN
2
321st4
1963125ccHondaESP
2
GER
NC
FRA
2
IOM
6
NED
NC
BEL
2
ULS
7
DDR
5
NAT
2
FIN
-
ARG
1
JPN
2
333rd1
250ccHondaESP
2
GER
3
IOM
1
NED
1
BEL
-
ULS
1
DDR
3
NAT
2
ARG
2
JPN
1
441st4
350ccHondaGER
1
IOM
1
NED
1
ULS
1
DDR
3
NAT
1
FIN
2
JPN
1†
321st5
1964125ccHondaUSA
-
ESP
2
FRA
NC
IOM
2
NED
1
GER
1
DDR
3
ULS
NC
FIN
3
NAT
6
JPN
-
362nd2
250ccHondaUSA
-
ESP
2
FRA
NC
IOM
1
NED
1
BEL
2
GER
2
DDR
2
ULS
2
NAT
3
JPN
1
422nd3
350ccHondaIOM
1
NED
1
GER
1
DDR
1
ULS
1
FIN
1
NAT
1
JPN
1
401st8
1965125ccHondaUSA
-
GER
-
ESP
-
FRA
-
IOM
-
NED
-
DDR
-
CZE
-
ULS
-
FIN
-
NAT
-
JPN
NC
00
250ccHondaUSA
-
GER
-
ESP
-
FRA
NC
IOM
1
NED
2
BEL
1
DDR
1
CZE
3
ULS
-
FIN
-
NAT
-
JPN
-
343rd3
350ccHondaGER
NC
IOM
1
NED
1
DDR
1
CZE
1
ULS
NC
FIN
-
NAT
-
JPN
2
381st4
1966250ccHondaESP
NC
GER
2
FRA
2
NED
3
BEL
3
DDR
-
CZE
-
FIN
-
ULS
-
IOM
-
NAT
-
JPN
-
203rd0
350ccHondaGER
-
FRA
3
NED
-
DDR
-
CZE
-
FIN
-
ULS
-
IOM
-
NAT
-
JPN
-
415th0
500ccHondaGER
1
NED
1
BEL
NC
DDR
-
CZE
-
FIN
-
ULS
-
IOM
-
NAT
-
165th2

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

References

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  1. ^ Jim Redman career statistics. MotoGP.com
  2. ^ "FIM Legends" (PDF). fim-live.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2020. 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
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