James Albert Redman, (born 8 November 1931) is a 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.Jim Redman career statistics . MotoGP.com In 2012, the F.I.M. inducted Redman into the MotoGP Hall of Fame.

History

Born in London, England, Redman 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.

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.Carrick, Peter Motor Cycle Racing Hamlyn Publishing, 1969, p. 72 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.

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.50 Years of Moto Grand Prix (1st edition). Hazelton Publishing Ltd, 1999.

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.Jim Redman. iomtt.com He achieved a total of 45 Grand Prix victories. Redman was awarded the MBE for his achievements.

Personal life In 1966, 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 Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 Points 8 6 4 3 2 1

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Points Rank Wins 1959 350cc Norton FRA- IOM- GER6 NED- BEL- SWE6 ULS- NAT- 2 15th 0 500cc Norton FRA- IOM- GER- NED5 BEL- SWE- ULS- NAT- 2 15th 0 1960 125cc Honda IOM- NED4 BEL9 ULS- NAT4 6 7th 0 250cc Honda IOM- NED8 BEL- GERNC ULS3 NAT2 10 4th 0 500cc Norton FRA- IOM- NED- BEL5 GER- ULS5 NAT6 5 9th 0 1961 125cc Honda ESP3 GER7 FRA3 IOM4 NED2 BEL3 DDR6 ULS4 NAT5 SWE3 ARG2 28 4th 0 250cc Honda ESP4 GER2 FRA6 IOM3 NED3 BEL1 DDR2 ULS3 NAT1 SWE4 ARG3 36 3rd 2 1962 125cc Honda ESP2 FRA2 IOM5 NED2 BEL2 GER10 ULS3 DDR2 NAT4 FIN1 ARG- 38 2nd 1 250cc Honda ESP1 FRA1 IOM2 NED1 BEL2 GER1 ULS2 DDR1 NAT1 ARG- 48 1st 6 350cc Honda IOM- NED1 ULS1 DDR1 NAT1 FIN2 32 1st 4 1963 125cc Honda ESP2 GERNC FRA2 IOM6 NEDNC BEL2 ULS7 DDR5 NAT2 FIN- ARG1 JPN2 33 3rd 1 250cc Honda ESP2 GER3 IOM1 NED1 BEL- ULS1 DDR3 NAT2 ARG2 JPN1 44 1st 4 350cc Honda GER1 IOM1 NED1 ULS1 DDR3 NAT1 FIN2 JPN1† 32 1st 5 1964 125cc Honda USA- ESP2 FRANC IOM2 NED1 GER1 DDR3 ULSNC FIN3 NAT6 JPN- 36 2nd 2 250cc Honda USA- ESP2 FRANC IOM1 NED1 BEL2 GER2 DDR2 ULS2 NAT3 JPN1 42 2nd 3 350cc Honda IOM1 NED1 GER1 DDR1 ULS1 FIN1 NAT1 JPN1 40 1st 8 1965 125cc Honda USA- GER- ESP- FRA- IOM- NED- DDR- CZE- ULS- FIN- NAT- JPNNC 0 – 0 250cc Honda USA- GER- ESP- FRANC IOM1 NED2 BEL1 DDR1 CZE3 ULS- FIN- NAT- JPN- 34 3rd 3 350cc Honda GERNC IOM1 NED1 DDR1 CZE1 ULSNC FIN- NAT- JPN2 38 1st 4 1966 250cc Honda ESPNC GER2 FRA2 NED3 BEL3 DDR- CZE- FIN- ULS- IOM- NAT- JPN- 20 3rd 0 350cc Honda GER- FRA3 NED- DDR- CZE- FIN- ULS- IOM- NAT- JPN- 4 15th 0 500cc Honda GER1 NED1 BELNC DDR- CZE- FIN- ULS- IOM- NAT- 16 5th 2

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

References

External links

Redman images at Roy Hesketh Circuit motorcycle gallery