Isle of Man TT and Road Racing legend Phil Read | Exclusive interview

[@markbrown3908]

I used to wash his Rolls Royce when I was a kid. Lovely man, kind and generous.

[@SpeedRacer-pz9jn]

How many racers can say they have won the FIM championship 7 times ? And also won the 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc classes ? You were one of the great competitors. One of those guys who you had to beat. RIP Phil Read ! Now you can take some laps with Jarno again

[@Nordbron]

Phil was an old school motorcycle racer. It would be fun to share a few stories about the times we met. Really great guy and an honest racer.

[@MyTroubadour]

Phil, l'une des légendes du sport moto. Je l'ai personnellement connu lors des journées Moto Légende à Vincennes ainsi qu'à Dijon. Surtout, le pilote qui aura piloté le plus grand nombre de motos différentes. Salut Phil.

[@weirbrook]

A fantastic man, a fantastic racer and what a fantastic life 🏁, RIP Phil.

[@Team-fabulous]

And a cheat

[@nealebradford6417]

why would you say that@@Team-fabulous

[@mrlittlemouse1]

​@@Team-fabulousyour full of shite

[@NetMillionaire]

Met Phil at Mallory park on a track day when I was learning to race, he came round the outside of me at Gerard’s corner on a old bmw road touring bike like I was going backwards🥴! Gave me some great tips and confidence 😊 true nice gentleman ❤ truly a great legend and always a true gentleman! RIP CHAMPION 🫦

[@markwinchester3005]

RIP Mr Read. "Yamaha gave me the choice of 4 geisha girls". They'd hever get away w/ that nowadays unfortunately. Perfect camera angle at (3:02). Mouth watering.

[@mickbrown8249]

Truly great racer I grew up with him often in my mind as a youth..rip

[@nicholasbishop3300]

Fantastic insight from one of the absolute greatest of all time Thanks for the memories Phil Read Nick Australia

[@thomaselliott573]

There are so many things to say about why this man was the ethos of the greatest form of motor sport. Next time a wanker tells you how big his ego is, you might try showing him this, but don't waste you time

[@kevinmartin-uv1rm]

RIP Phil,probably the most underrated of the greats

[@RJW998]

Phil did a magazine advert for Yamaha back in the day, just stood in a doorway arms crossed, looking at an RD. I was 17, went out and bought an RD250F. Got that Arai Phil Read replica now. A real legend, RIP Phil.

[@Team-fabulous]

I doubt very much Bill Ivy would call him a real legend...

[@RJW998]

@@Team-fabulous I learnt about the Bill Ivy controversy later in life. When a youngster I loved two strokes particularly Yamaha RD's. Phil won Yamaha their first World championship and as you know went on ro win one in 125, 250 and 500 classes, so I have a high regard for what he did is all.

[@russcattell955i]

This old Luton boy wears a Arai PR replica also. Had a RD 250 DX back in the day too.

[@g7usl]

@@russcattell955i That's strange. Read was the English importer of Premier Helmets. I had one.

[@russcattell955i]

@@g7usl Yes, many decades after Premier Arai made PR Replica. I was looking for a John McGuinness replica Shoei, alas they didn't make it. They did offer 3 colours of Chris Vermeulen helmets, no thanks. The rest is history as they say.

[@colinrashleigh6488]

I saw him race at Malory park in 1976 on his Yamaha he looked a striking figure in his white leathers along with Ago and sheen , Grant ,Baker great tlmes🥰

[@hubdormans5709]

The first time that I saw him racing was in 1973 in Spa on the old long circuit (14km)together with teammate Giacomo Agostini on their ❤MV Agusta 500 3 cilinders. I never forget the roaring sound and speed at that time. We could hear them over 1 or 2km downshifting from 7 too first gear for breaking to La Source hairpin over all the 2strokes.Chickenskin,R.I.P.Phil Read.

[@Nordbron]

Now that's a genuine moment of race history.

[@cesarepattaro6030]

Gli Eroi non muoiono mai. Semplicemente svaniscono dal mondo reale, per riapparire nei nostri cuori e restarci per sempre. Arrivederci Phil e complimenti per una vita vissuta alla grande

[@alanburton2689]

A great racer and a gent RIP phil

[@copferthat]

Great rider but anything but a gent I'm afraid.

[@janwillemsteenhuisen1550]

Ik pook hom nog eben wat(h) OPTA, zo dat dat resten nait goud plukt. Dei swyyn. 🍞

[@georgealty]

Just having a search through some biking God's and elected to watch the interview with Phil. I had no idea he passed away until I read the comments. RIP Phil.

[@Jonathan-L]

Me too. It's a shame that he wasn't mentioned on the sports news around the world.

[@2wheelsrbest327]

Thank you, a great tribute to Phil

[@zogzoogler]

A true gent, my late Fathers friend and hero. Phil always had time for those around him and had a meticulous memory. In the mid 90s we were walking down the pits at Mallory (where he was riding a team obsolete) 20 years after my father last saw him, Phil recalled my Dad by his name and chatted for 20 minutes. Left a great impression.

[@evilelf5967]

Phil was one of those laid back nothings a problem guys,so cool and calm considering when he jumped on those demon 2 strokes...he managed everthing with genteel aplomb.a true racer and a bloody decent human being.R.I.P. phil.a true unsung hero.

[@johnnyrvf]

I agree with Phil about using engine management systems on the latest generation MotoGP bikes. I’m no racer but I own a ‘89 VFR 750 R RC30 which, apart from a slipper clutch, has no rider aids. It’s down to the rider to get the best out of the bike, rather than the technicians.

[@keithdawson4804]

Apparently filmed at Imatra road circuit, Finland, and mostly likely interviewed during his stay at the Valtion Hotelli, Imatra.

[@garyhunt4959]

I remember watching Phil at brands hatch riding the mv Augusta with Agostini, he's died on my birthday, great rider. Rip

[@pabloperez4063]

I totally agree when He says the fact of sprectators today moved 50 ...or 80 mts away has spoilt the magic. Apart from a couple of stands, it is absurd to go see them live...because you have no se sense of speed if you see a "little" bike 150 mts away. Better on tv

[@pabloperez4063]

Besides, spectators today are not like "when we used to go"...and we were all fantástic people

[@romanroad483]

Go watch some British Superbike meetings. Traditional British tracks, spectators can get close, no rider aids, open paddocks excellent racing and doesn't cost a fortune.

[@pabloperez4063]

@@romanroad483 yes, I agree. I was thinking about modern tracks

[@romanroad483]

@@pabloperez4063 Are you in the U.K. ?

[@andersf5464]

This is lovely to hear; inside race-smoking-history.

[@drmengawyong]

I acknowledge his records / wins but he wasn’t very magnanimous about losing to others . I met working at Mallory didn’t recognise him and his comments was I am Phil read 8 times world champion At lot of comments about beating others but not so much when he got beaten . Jim, Giacometti, Rossi, stoner Phil read joey Dunlop John McGuire’s all great respect no need to disrespect any 😊

[@chrisstewart8259]

Me too! I met him at Oulton Park and on The Island. Difficult to talk to but a very competitive racer.

[@kennethtalbott2233]

WOW!!!! it doesn't seem five minutes since i used to watch Phil racing at Mallory. these guys were true racers, proper petrol heads. what a great video. thanks. really enjoyed this.

[@doctord8589]

i remember watching phil at mallory park racing with barry sheen i was 10 years old.

[@stephenanderson4603]

Great video 👍

[@caribman10]

Look back at his Daytona finish on the John Player Norton in '72; racing what was probably the lowest powered machine in the top 20 he managed a 4th place, coming after losing almost a full minute in the pits after a fueling mishap. Just think what could've been if Ready had raced one of the monocoque Nortons when they became available..

[@grahamclutterbuck583]

Great rider, complex individual.

[@colinirons9305]

Indeed, i knew him when he lived in Luton, and followed ever since Certainly had what some call a love/hate persona... But his gift to motorcycling was immense 👍

[@stuarth43]

my day and my favorite rider, a true Gent, modest , not like Jacko and IMO Phil was better

[@Team-fabulous]

Modest!!! ... Ask Bill Ivy

[@mrlittlemouse1]

​@@Team-fabulousidiot bill ivy

[@pmacc3557]

Love the old bikes Love these old boys , pure raw unadulterated talent👏👍💪 The TT boys now are also Warriors...but I think some or most of Moto GP riders have Diva complexes such as Marquez after watching a Doc about him

[@claude4268]

C'était en fin de journée sur la piste désertée du circuit Paul Ricard, les essais venaient de s'achever et je m'apprêtais à enfourcher ma 500 kawa quand tout à coup je reconnus la voix unique de la MV 4 ; c'était Phil Read dans ses œuvres ... Jamais je n'oublierai ce passage.

[@keithgoodrick-meech3921]

Most of the old school bikers I know, although accept Phil was a great racer will never forgive him for the way he stiched Bill Ivy up for the 250 cc title.

[@shaunchapman5389]

Met read 6year old got autograph when riding 4clinder mv met im malory Park years later fort aragant bastard

[@DL-ls5sy]

Stories about Länsivuori too ?

[@nellozavattini2716]

Grandissimo

[@g7usl]

Never liked him, since he dumped Madeline, even after she taught him to be a business man. She was a lovely woman, too good for him. He also never kept the deal he made with Bill Ivy!

[@chrisstewart8259]

Yeah, that Bill Ivy deal was indicative of his nature. Never thought much of him after that.

[@tissoret]

R.I.P. 🙏🙏🙏

[@Rollie961]

RIP Phil

[@jochenwagner5170]

Well done! Thank you!🍀

[@shirleydrury5565]

BILL IVY WAS KING.❤😊❤😊👍👍

[@aderyan4504]

God speed Phil.

[@davrom-wo4qp]

8 times doh

[@Luke-Harno3]

The Master !

[@Team-fabulous]

At cheating Luke!. Let's not forget Reads disgraceful behavior towards Bill Ivy..

[@Luke-Harno3]

@@Team-fabulous I don't know anything... is what happened ? 🤔

[@Luke-Harno3]

@@Team-fabulous Humm... about the 250 deal of 1968 ?

[@Team-fabulous]

@@Luke-Harno3 indeed... 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@Luke-Harno3]

​@@Team-fabulous Yes... are long topics to discuss; I understand, but I also understand the "competitive selfishness". John Kocinski in the 1997 he was already World Champion, but in a Race (I don't remember the track) it was enough for him to finish second behind to Aaron Slight, doing so they would arrive: first and second... in the World Rankings. But John wanted to win at all costs ! in this way disadvantages the Honda in the final standings. This behavior is also wrong. While I in no way tolerated the unfair... they are long talk ! 😉🙂

[@colinvannurden3090]

Great stats.

[@RichardSmallwood-du9qb]

For ever the best, Phil RIP see you up there (or down there!) 🏍👑

[@philippecabot3305]

Très grand Pilote ! J'ai eu la chance de l'apercevoir à Ospedaletti.RIP Phil.

[@mauriziograndi1750]

I Salute a Legend.

[@squigmcguigan8965]

Sorry to say but.. He came across as the not very nice man he was. He almost choked on the one & only utterance of Bill Ivy.

[@pabloperez4063]

Bill ivy was a gentleman

[@splodge5714]

He was a racer, one of the best. A great bloke too. RIP, Prince of Speed.

[@mrgordonjohn6143]

There was no love lost between Phil and Bill, but isn’t it the same in any sport, it’s not true that the best man wins but the best man AT winning

[@Team-fabulous]

Read behaviour toward Bill Ivy was disgraceful. Read was a cheat and all this ball washing about what a gentleman he was in nonsense. A narcissist in the fullest..

[@copferthat]

@@mrgordonjohn6143 Fact is, he shit all over Bill Ivy, learn you race history

[@donbrashsux]

A Great. RiP

[@Team-fabulous]

Sad but his treatment of bill Ivy was disgraceful...

[@chrisstewart8259]

Yep

[@mrlittlemouse1]

​@@chrisstewart8259who cares

[@andygevan5022]

RIP Phill Read, you will be sadly missed

[@stanblankenship1827]

𝓅𝓇o𝓂o𝓈𝓂 👉