Top Five of 2011: Moto GP
Legendary Bikes: Barry Sheene’s Suzuki RG500 1976-77
Barry Sheene’s Suzuki 500 holds the record for the fastest motorcycle GP race ever.
Legends: Phil Read
Phil Read was the Prince of Speed and might also be called the Prince of Longevity – winning his first world championship event (the 350 TT) at the Isle of Man in 1961 and his last, the World TT Formula One Championship, back on Mona’s Isle in 1977.
Legendary bikes: MV Agusta 500
Giacomo Agostini has no hesitation naming his favourite bike: the MV-Agusta 500 tre cilindri.
Magnificence in Miniature: A Half-Size Honda RC166
Piloted by Mike Hailwood, the Honda RC166 managed a perfect record for the 1966 World Championship Series, winning all ten of the championship’s events. It claimed both Riders’ and Manufacturers’ Championships in the 250s for two consecutive years, and a class victory at the Isle of Man TT, also in 1966.
Legends: Kel Carruthers
Kel Carruthers’ winning ride on a Benelli four to secure the 1969 world 250 championship on the treacherous streets of Opatija (in the old Yugoslavia) was the most dramatic title-clincher of Australia’s ten successful world GP championship campaigns.
