R.I.P. Phil Read MBE | 1st January 1939 - 6th October 2022

[@ononewheellad]

A wee quick story about Phil. He came to a motorcycle event in Ballymoney N.I. a few years back now. Had a great conversation about 20 minutes or so telling me about his life in racing bikes. As I was about to leave his company, he said, hang on have this hat. He handed me his race baseball cap, the chequered one. I shook his hand and thanked him and I went to walk away, he said, “ do you not want the cap signed”. A great man to have a conversation with, a gentleman too. God bless Phil. 🏍👍

[@nodtripRS]

What a wonderful thing too read.

[@ononewheellad]

@@nodtripRS Thank you. The event was called, “Round the Toon”, It was a Who’s who of Champions, Agostini being another who attended. 👍

[@alanwaldron5116]

Big part of my growing up and love of bike racing. Sad day but thanks Phil

[@112chapters3]

Do you still have it?

[@ononewheellad]

@@112chapters3 Yes still have that cap.

[@SpeedRacer-pz9jn]

7 GP world championships. 8 IOM TT's. We lost another great one. RIP, Prince of Speed.

[@martinhambleton5076]

If my memory serves me right, Is the only one ever to win a world championship as a privateer? Can anyone verify this, please?

[@thewatcher5271]

I Knew He Was Great, I Just Didn't Know He Was That Great! Thank You.

[@andrewdawson5281]

I was racing at Cadwell Park back in 2007. Got chatting with him in the clubhouse and it suddenly occurred to me who I was talking to. No self-aggrandising or giving it the "Do you know who I am." He was more interested in me! Phil was a lovely man and a real gentleman. R.I.P.

[@zogzoogler]

Late 90s my Dad hadn’t been in a race paddock for 15+ years, we bumped into Phil Read. Phil instantly recalled my Dad by his name My Dad was a huge Read fan in the 70s and a friend of another less well known rider of the era. A memory of true Gentleman and Motorcycle legend.

[@tonyguest9744]

I remember Phil and Bill Ivy on the 2 stroke 4 cylinder Yamaha's screaming down Bray Hill at the IOM TT. Both now sadly gone. RIP both and thank you.

[@Free_Ranger_CT110]

A fitting tribute, RIP Phil, a great champion.

[@apacherider7110]

A total legend. My dad's hero and born in the same year. Sadly I never met him but I did train his daughter in law Christine to pass her CBT a few years ago. During training I noticed this lady wearing a Phil Read crash helmet, then later knew why..

[@daytona955joop]

My motorcycling hero. Bought a copy of his autobiography in the late ‘70’s as a youngster getting into bikes. Years later I met him in the paddock when I was spannering for a mate at the Manx. Spent a good hour yarning about his race career and my feeble efforts as a clubbie, total gentleman and very humble regarding his own achievements. I’d like to thank Phil for inspiring me to get involved in a sport which has given me challenges, joy and friendship for many years. RIP great man.

[@HegelsOwl]

Wonderful post, buddy. Thanks.

[@rohanpanditharatne3422]

RIP a man we loved so much ....RIP Phil reed...

[@nodtripRS]

A wonderful rider. A true legend.

[@david-fx8ri]

one of ago's greatest rivals on track proud of you Phil.

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

One of Hailwood's too.

[@gm16v149]

Sad news, only just heard. I remember watching him race Bill Ivy at Brands Hatch in the late 1960s when they were team mates (well, sort of). Hailwood was there on his 6 cylinder Honda as well. The Honda sounded amazing and I can see why Phil was in awe of it.

[@johndickens5370]

A lovely tribute to a true legend🤘. RACE IN PEACE🙏🏻

[@word67]

I remember Phil Read from way back when I was teenager in the 1960's. He was a standout. That began my love of world level motorcycle racing. Glad he lived a long life. Thank you Sir

[@georgerose8727]

The epic battles between Read and Redmond, and Read and Hailwood kept us fans on the edge of our seat in the 1960's! Definitely one of the great ones!

[@hussar510]

Such a sad loss. I remember 1st seeing him at the Easter Transatlantic races at Mallory. John Player Norton with John ? Pete ? Williams, Agostini Ray Pickerell, Percy Tait, Mike Hailwood, John Cooper, Barry Sheene, Randy Mamola, Dick Mann. RIP Phil

[@kentishman5698]

A great champion. I first met Phill in 1977 in the bar (the kentagon) at brands hatch, was in awe of the great man, then met him again at Lydden race track a few years ago, he was guest of honour at the race meeting. I sat down with him and had a great conversation. RIP

[@peterlovett5841]

A man who always seemed to be overlooked when it came to naming great motorcycle champions but what a rider and what a champion!

[@tadroid3858]

Death comes to us all, but living like Phil Read is special gift. RIP you will be missed.

[@marcomasoni9008]

R. I. P immenso campione.

[@MrLukealbanese]

RIP Phil. It was a blast!!

[@Grrrr20242]

One of my heroes from watching racing in the 60’s. Along with Mike, Bill, Giacomo and a whole lot of others especially Mooneyes👍, thank you all lads.😀✌️

[@martindavies8326]

God bless the man he was a legend and a True gentleman, he will be sadly missed, RIP Phil 💔🏍🏆

[@roypowell3450]

RIP Phil, thank you for all the great cherished memories. Rest well Phil.

[@michaelperry4308]

First saw him in 1967, great rider and a nice guy.

[@jameskatz5956]

One of my boyhood hero's. RIP

[@James-gf9jl]

RIP Phil. Your MV poster adorned my bedroom wall in the '70s.

[@evilelf5967]

R.I.P prince of speed,thankyou for all the great memories and races,a great man on and off a bike.

[@r1273m]

I spoke to him and took his photo just a few years ago at the Ace Cafe Reunion on Brighton's Maderia Drive. One of the last of the 1960's racers.

[@peternorman2563]

Great man of sport, and a legend in his lifetime !

[@Boppa1260]

Thank you phil , RIP.🇬🇧🏍

[@robertjames6640]

One of the greats, a true British champion who rests among the greatest of champions. RIP Phil.

[@settebello250]

R.I.P. Prince of Speed

[@MrPomdownunder]

RIP Phil. He went to school with my mum... Thanks for all the memories - those great races with Mike and Ago and many others !

[@quartusbuys6831]

Saw him as a kid at Roy Hesketh TT way back in the late sixties early seventies with the likes of Rodney Gould, Paul Smart, Ray Pickerel, Agostini to mention a few and he was here at Swartkops a couple of years ago . True LEGEND.

[@weaselman24]

Ride on Phil.

[@jimnaylor6009]

RIP Phil Read. Truly one of the greatest. He used to ride a personalised K100 BMW on the road back around 1990 or so and once overtook me at a huge rate of knots on the outside of a bend on the A515. I wasn't hanging about but only saw him for a few seconds and he was gone. We had both been at Donington for the day.

[@stevecurd9113]

R.I.P Legend 🏍🏍

[@TrevorDennis100]

I was at Cadwell Park with the Ixion internet group for a track day many years ago, when the Phil and a bunch of his friends asked if they could use the track with us to practice. They were all getting on in years, and riding 250cc bikes that were older than some the Ixion riders. We had the usual Fireblades and fast road bikes, and those old guys braked so late, and carried so much corner speed even our better riders were made to look slow. Now I think of, one of our group was riding a 250cc Aprilia and he had no trouble keeping up with the big bikes.

[@hectorweyland87]

Descansa en paz, campeón ❤️

[@c9h13no3junkie]

Met him at a track day at Assen in about 1999, had lunch with him and Jim Doyle, fascinating stories, and an absolute gent. He was there setting up an MV Agusta, exhaust wasn’t flowing right. Said in mock outrage that he was quite put out that he was the only person in the world to have wins in 5 decades, from GP’s, TT’S, other classes and classics racing, multiple world championships, and until then, he’d never lost a ‘who’s got the best scars contest’ until he met me. Terrific bloke, not the least bit grand or stuck up, and just chatting with idiot nobodies like us, despite his huge record and achievements. I met him again at Bikestop in Stevenage, just by chance about a year later, asked him if they got it sorted at Assen, and he stopped and filled me in on what the problem was and how they fixed it, again just chatting with an idiot nobody, because he just loved bikes and racing. A life well lived.

[@KathrynLiz1]

I remember when he first appeared on the racing scene way back as a short circuit 'scratcher' wit Minter, Hailwood et al..... But I'm 80 now. Another of the old school greats gone.... Good memories.... Thanks Phil

[@RobertMcCall1313]

RIP Phil ! Mon idole de jeunesse ! Vu plusieurs fois courir sur le circuit Paul Ricard. Mon Cromwell et plus tard mon intégral étaient peints comme ton casque

[@gaz-gemw5801]

RIP Phil, God Bless 😔😔😔😔

[@G0ogs]

Great bloke so sad to here he’s passed

[@keithmartland6463]

When real hero's rode racing motorcycles, he was a true legend and not many of them left, RIP Phil you've earned it!

[@marcoilliano2030]

Rest in peace Read

[@hermanschweizer9717]

It was guy’s like Phil ,that provoked me to install a racing fairing, clip ons ,and rear set foot begs on my 250 Suzuki GT in 1976 . Thanks for the post. RIP. Phil.

[@splodge57]

Congratulations to a fantastic racing career. RIP Prince of Speed.

[@bladerunnergonzalez]

A LEGEND!!!!!!🏆😢🌹RIP

[@paulsquires9117]

Phil Read was a part of some of our younger years wasn’t he? One of a number of great riders of the period, such as Mike Hailwood, Bill Ivy, great bikes too.

[@williamrae9954]

My uncle, Bill Rae's racing mates are all passing on...another one gone, RIP Phil

[@philbradbrook7676]

Is this the bill rae who was at Westgate Wakefield and didn't he go home to Ireland to retire all the best from a old customer Phil 🏍️

[@williamrae9954]

@@philbradbrook7676 Wakefield is right...but he started from Scotland... originally a mining engineer from Ayrshire

[@philbradbrook7676]

I remember buying my first full faced helmet of bill it was a bell star in the early 70 tie's i hope he is ok I wish him all the best Phil bradbrook. Wakefield

[@williamrae9954]

@@philbradbrook7676 Sorry, he was the oldest of the Raes... passed in 2014, dwindling fast the rest of them, big family!

[@sofko123]

RIP legend !!!

[@stephenpotter9365]

So sad to hear of Phil’s passing. I met him once , a nice friendly person,. What a life he had in racing , all things associated, the people he raced with and his life in general. One of the greatest bike racers in history in my opinion. Farewell Phil , the Prince of Speed .

[@morris2450]

Didn't know this guy at all. I've been involved in motorsport and motorcycles over 50+ yrs hence my interest to watch. Was reading the comments sounds like he was a humble and genuine gentleman.

[@massimilianobelloni5613]

RIP Prince of speed

[@bradpotter6401]

Those were the golden years of motorcycle GP racing. You won't be forgotten Phil Read.

[@catleugh]

I remember watching him on an MV Augusta.

[@ericcornement713]

Un homme simple et attachant... Merci Phil pour ces quelques minutes en ta compagnie aux coupe Moto Legende il y a quelques années. 😢

[@MyTroubadour]

C'est rare de lire un commentaire d'un Français sur un site Britannique. Merci à vous.

[@ericcornement713]

@@MyTroubadour Merci, pour avoir rencontré pas mal de pilotes aux coupé Moto Legende, Mister Read était et de très loin le plus sympa, disponible et peu avare en anecdotes. Vraiment un passionné et tout le contraire d'Agostini, toujours distant. J'ai une grande admiration pour tout ce qu'il a accompli sa vie durant, un grand homme nous a quitté. Cordialement.

[@pauld7827]

I started riding motorcycles in 1977. I started on a Suzuki GT185, then the popular RD250 and then went to see a Honda 250 Super Dream at Phil's bike shop. I wasn't sure as I needed a bike that would reliably take me from Wokingham to Stansted and back, every weekend. He was selling a 'Honda Read' version and took me out on the back. After the ride, I ordered the bike! I rode thousands of miles on that bike and loved it! Great man.

[@SuperSlipkid]

Saw him ride many times on the mighty MV lovely chap RIP the prince of speed.

[@G58]

Damn. Heard the news today. Was only just watching a video of him the other day. My mate back in the early ‘70s used to joke how Phil always turned up to race meetings with a mobile hair salon. He was a hell of a rider. Saw him race at Malory several times. He had a good long ride didn’t he, longer than Barry and Mike, and many others. But this sis sad news. Peace

[@mariosimonetta7548]

Un saluto a Phil "Di Ferro" Read ; un vero Inglese . Tanti Campioni lo stanno aspettando nel Circuito dei Cieli . Corri in Pace . Ciao. Mario.

[@ljubott]

RIP Phil 🙏

[@StephenLMW]

What a shame, one of the all time greats is no longer with us RIP Phil gone but never forgotten 👑👑👑🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🏍🏍🏍

[@5ebra1]

Thanks for the memories Phil.

[@LoscarMotorcycles]

Gran persona y gran Campeón!! Descansa en paz Phil ✌

[@audspod1]

A legend of the sport, God bless him.

[@payres48]

As a youth in the 60's I well remember seeing Phil race against Bill Ivy, John Cooper, Mike Hailwood, Agostini and many others at Brands Hatch. A bunch of us would ride down there from Woking, Surrey on an assortment of bikes. Great times indeed.

[@ringo196]

A gentleman and a legend

[@joselagospedrero1895]

un verdadero campeon que de verdad le gustaba el motociclismo no el dinero mis condolencias a su familia

[@nellozavattini2716]

GRANDISSIMO Lots of talent and a wanderful smile to everybody Ciao Phil

[@johnmaxwell3165]

Smooth,fast and formidable

[@routmaster38]

Phil Read one of the few TT greats who also won on short circuits too!

[@philipbyrnes7501]

Thank you for sharing such sad news of such a fine man. Rest In Peace brother, you’ve earned it

[@martinjefferies666]

Have to admit, when I first started following bike racing I was too transfixed following Jarno Saarinen to notice anyone else, but Phil always came across as a very nice unassuming guy as other comments here bear out. I met him once when he was judging and given out the trophies at the Brands racing school star pupil event in 79 (I got 2nd). A few years ago a had a client who turned out to be the grand daughter of Saarinens god father. Tenuous I know but hey ho. Another gentleman and good guy gone, hope you're having fun on the other side Phil

[@je7887]

Saw Phil at the TT. RIP

[@spooner0007]

Condolences from Australia One of the Greatest He lived a long life unlike many others of that era.

[@JamesAllmond]

RIP! Great rider and man. You know, it's starting to suck, realizing we are the old guys now... Time is the ultimate bitch.

[@104ducati]

Sad news, RIP Phil Read, Golden era legend.

[@francolannutti6318]

Grande campione! Che il viaggio gli sia lieve! 🙏❤️

[@eslermanu47]

One of the Greatest and no respect from the BBC and Papers like Daily Mirror not to even mention his death I will never buy the Mirror again shame on the lot of them.

[@timothymartin5665]

God bless family loved ones and Friends may he rest in peace

[@MrConan89]

I had a few beers with him in Hong Kong maybe 7 years ago. He was a very pleasant fellow.

[@jeynes14]

RIP Mr Read, bless you.

[@thomashansen3450]

0ne legend less. i´ve seen him a few years ago, racing in schotten, when he gave us the pleasure to ride close to the sideline, thanks phil,

[@colinrashleigh6488]

I watched him race at Malory park race of the year on his Yamaha in 1976 very striking figure in his white leathers , he’ll be missed great man 😢

[@jocarney8537]

Thank you phil R.I.P

[@franckdeparis7131]

RIP ....😪😪😪😪

[@budgerber901]

I had the honor to be with Phil Read during the “Battle of the Legends” in Daytona. Thanks to Sir Richard Dampf for including me as part of the team that put on that venue. Mr. Read was a gentleman and a fierce competitor. Special mention also to Chuck Dearborn, and team historian Tom De Mange who were the dedicated workers who made the “BATTLE OF THE LEGENDS” so memorable for so many fans. R.I.P. Phil🙏

[@buckwheatINtheCity]

This guy was amazing.

[@tooyoungtobeold8756]

A fantastic rider, saw him many times at Brands Hatch.

[@santiagodolzllombart9693]

🙉🙈🔝 es y será un gran mito mucho pilotaje de la vieja escuela

[@kevinbird9194]

A true legend but his death barely made the news. I remember watching this icon racing. He was another level. He will be missed

[@carloalessandrorossin208]

Ciao Phil, a true Legend.

[@MyTroubadour]

Phil, l'une des légendes du sport moto. Je pense même que c'est le pilote qui a couru sur le plus grand nombre de motos différentes avec toujours autant de brio. J'ai eu la chance et l'honneur d'avoir diner avec Phil lors de Moto Légende à Vincennes (près de Paris) en 2010. Salut Phil.

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

What a lovely man and a great sportsman sadly missed RIP

[@robertlangley1664]

Another hero gone but will never be forgotten RIP Phil

[@markashby2622]

R. I. P. True legend.

[@rocket3man]

What an unassuming champion - RIP Phil.

[@chrisjung3538]

Le prince de la vitesse. Il va nous manquer.