Jim Redman - Grand Prix legend breaks collarbone on 72nd birthday

Six-time World Motorcycle Champion Jim Redman broke his collarbone while celebrating his 72nd birthday at Western Australia’s Wanneroo Raceway today.

Redman was completing some demonstration laps for the crowd at the 2003 Australian Historic Road Racing Championships. He had been invited to attend the national event as a guest of honour by the Historic Competition Motorcycle Club of Western Australia.

He came down in the left hander at the top of Barbagallo Chase on his third lap around the 2.4 kilometre Western Australian circuit.

Early indications suggest Redman sustained a broken collarbone in the fall. He received first aid at the venues medical facility before being transported to hospital for further treatment.

Redman made his racing debut in 1954 on a Triumph but his major successes came when aboard Honda machinery. In 1961 Redman got his first big break when Honda employed him to ride their 125 and 250cc machines after normal incumbent Tom Phillis (AUS) was sidelined with injury.

He then went on to a long and prosperous association with Honda. The Japanese manufacturer was a newcomer on the scene and much of their early success came at the hands of Jim Redman.

The British born rider lifted the 1962 and 1963 250cc Championships for Honda and won the 350cc Championship every year from 1962 through until 1965.

A lot of his fame also stems from some incredible performances at what was the pinnacle of motorcycling in that era, the annual Isle of Man TT races. The famous 'treble-double' was a feat first achieved by Redman, where he won both the 250cc and 350cc classes at the Isle of Man each year, for three consecutive years.

Redman's career was brought to a premature end after crashing at Spa Francorchamps in 1966. The crash caused him permanent weakness and discomfort in his right arm which effectively ended his race career.

Amazingly, the South African resident has been competing in various historic race events around the world in recent years after returning to the sport at the ripe old age of 63. At Daytona in 1995 the Grand Prix legend showed that he still had what it takes by winning the 350cc event at the famous American venue.

It is expected that he will return to South Africa early next week.

The 2003 Australian Historic Nationals will continue at Wanneroo Raceway tomorrow and Redman will still be at the circuit tomorrow in his role as guest of honour.