The 1966 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 18th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 8 May, with Spanish Grand Prix and ended with Japanese Grand Prix on 17 October.
Honda stepped up their racing program with a new four-cylinder 500cc bike, as well as bikes in the four smaller classes. Despite Honda's increased efforts, Suzuki would claim the 50cc title with Hans-Georg Anscheidt winning the championship from Honda's Luigi Taveri at the last race of the season in Japan. Yamaha would battle Honda all season for the 125 crown, each factory taking five wins, with Honda's Taveri taking the title from Yamaha's Bill Ivy.
Mike Hailwood, having left the MV Agusta team to ride for Honda, stormed to the 250 crown, winning the first eight races of the season, as Phil Read struggled with Yamaha's new v-four race bike. Hailwood would make it a double when he also claimed the 350 class ahead of MV Agusta's Giacomo Agostini. Honda's plan was for Jim Redman to lead their 500 class campaign before he retired. All started well with Redman winning the first two races of the year however, Honda's hopes were dashed when he crashed in the rain in Belgium and broke his wrist. This gave Agostini the championship lead, which he held despite Hailwood taking three of the last six races. Honda took some consolation by winning all five constructor's titles for a clean sweep.
Points were awarded to the top six finishers in each race. Only the best of four were counted on 50cc championships, best of five in 350cc and 500cc championships, best of six in 125cc and 250cc championships, while in the Sidecars, only the best of three races were counted.
| Position | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Place | Rider | Number | Country | Machine | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mike Hailwood | United Kingdom | Honda | 48 | 6 | |
| 2 |  Giacomo Agostini | Italy | MV Agusta | 42 | 3 | |
| 3 | Renzo Pasolini | Italy | Aermacchi | 17 | 0 | |
| 4 |  Frantisek Stastny | Czechoslovakia | Jawa | 13 | 0 | |
| 5 | Gustav Havel | Czechoslovakia | Jawa | 12 | 0 | |
| 6 | Alberto Pagani | Italy | Aermacchi | 11 | 0 | |
| 7 |  Heinz Rosner | East Germany | MZ | 10 | 0 | |
| 8 | Phil Read | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 8 | 1 | |
| 9 |  Jack Ahearn | Australia | Norton | 8 | 0 | |
| 10 |  Bruce Beale | Rhodesia | Honda | 7 | 0 | |
| 11 | Tarquinio Provini | Italy | Benelli | 6 | 0 | |
| = | Peter Williams | United Kingdom | AJS | 6 | 0 | |
| = | Bill Ivy | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 6 | 0 | |
| 14 | Silvio Grassetti | Italy | Bianchi | 6 | 0 | |
| 15 | Jim Redman | Rhodesia | Honda | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Tommy Robb | United Kingdom | Bultaco | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Chris Conn | United Kingdom | Norton | 4 | 0 | |
| 18 | Gilberto Milani | Italy | Aermacchi | 3 | 0 | |
| = | Stuart Graham | United Kingdom | AJS | 3 | 0 | |
| = | Kel Carruthers | Australia | Norton | 3 | 0 | |
| = | Byron Black | United Kingdom | Honda | 3 | 0 | |
| 22 | Frantisek Bocek | Czechoslovakia | Jawa | 3 | 0 | |
| 23 | Dave Simmonds | United Kingdom | Honda-Norton | 2 | 0 | |
| = |  Kenzo Muromachi | Japan | Honda | 2 | 0 | |
| 25 | John Blanchard | United Kingdom | AJS | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Joe Dunphy | United Kingdom | Norton | 1 | 0 | |
| = |  Kent Andersson | Sweden | Husqvarna | 1 | 0 |
| Place | Rider | Number | Country | Machine | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Hailwood | United Kingdom | Honda | 56 | 10 | |
| 2 | Phil Read | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 34 | 0 | |
| 3 | Jim Redman | Rhodesia | Honda | 20 | 0 | |
| 4 | Derek Woodman | United Kingdom | MZ | 18 | 0 | |
| 5 | Stuart Graham | United Kingdom | Honda | 15 | 0 | |
| 6 | Heinz Rosner | East Germany | MZ | 15 | 0 | |
| 7 | Jack Findlay | Australia | Bultaco | 14 | 0 | |
| 8 | Frantisek Stastny | Czechoslovakia | Jawa | 11 | 0 | |
| 9 |  Mike Duff | Canada | Yamaha | 9 | 0 | |
| 10 |  Ginger Molloy | New Zealand | Bultaco | 8 | 1 | |
| = | Hiroshi Hasegawa | Japan | Yamaha | 8 | 1 | |
| 12 |  Gyula Marsovsky | Switzerland | Bultaco | 8 | 0 | |
| 13 | Bill Ivy | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 5 | 0 | |
| 14 | Renzo Pasolini | Italy | Aermacchi | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Kevin Cass | Australia | Bultaco | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Peter Inchley | United Kingdom | Villiers | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Alberto Pagani | Italy | Aermacchi | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Akiyasu Motohashi | Japan | Yamaha | 4 | 0 | |
| 19 | Bruce Beale | Rhodesia | Honda | 4 | 0 | |
| 20 | Kent Andersson | Sweden | Husqvarna | 4 | 0 | |
| 21 | Selwyn Griffiths | United Kingdom | Royal Enfield | 3 | 0 | |
| 22 | Tommy Robb | United Kingdom | Bultaco | 3 | 0 | |
| 23 | Chris Anderson | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 2 | 0 | |
| = | Jim Curry | United Kingdom | Honda | 2 | 0 | |
| 25 |  Günter Beer | West Germany | Honda | 1 | 0 | |
| = |  Daniel Lhéraud | France | Yamaha | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Len Atlee | Australia | Cotton | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Bill Smith | United Kingdom | Bultaco | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Giuseppe Visenzi | Italy | Aermacchi | 1 | 0 |
| Place | Rider | Number | Country | Machine | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luigi Taveri | Switzerland | Honda | 46 | 5 | |
| 2 | Bill Ivy | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 40 | 4 | |
| 3 | Ralph Bryans | United Kingdom | Honda | 32 | 0 | |
| 4 | Phil Read | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 29 | 1 | |
| 5 | Hugh Anderson | New Zealand | Suzuki | 15 | 0 | |
| 6 | Yoshimi Katayama | Japan | Suzuki | 14 | 0 | |
| 7 | Frank Perris | United Kingdom | Suzuki | 10 | 0 | |
| 8 | Akiyasu Motohashi | Japan | Yamaha | 5 | 0 | |
| 9 | Mike Duff | Canada | Yamaha | 4 | 0 | |
| = | Mitsuo Itoh | Japan | Suzuki | 4 | 0 | |
| 11 | Tommy Robb | United Kingdom | Yamaha | 3 | 0 | |
| 12 | Francesco Villa | Italy | Montesa | 2 | 0 | |
| = | Hans-Georg Anscheidt | West Germany | Suzuki | 2 | 0 | |
| = | Peter Williams | United Kingdom | EMC | 2 | 0 | |
| 15 |  José Medrano | Spain | Bultaco | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Herbert Mann | West Germany | MZ | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Mike Hailwood | United Kingdom | Honda | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Friedhelm Kohlar | East Germany | MZ | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Hartmut Bischoff | East Germany | MZ | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Walter Scheimann | West Germany | Honda | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Yasuharu Yuzawa | Japan | Yamaha | 1 | 0 |
| Place | Rider | Number | Country | Machine | Points | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hans-Georg Anscheidt | West Germany | Suzuki | 28 | 2 | |
| 2 | Ralph Bryans | United Kingdom | Honda | 26 | 1 | |
| 3 | Luigi Taveri | Switzerland | Honda | 26 | 2 | |
| 4 | Hugh Anderson | New Zealand | Suzuki | 16 | 0 | |
| 5 | Yoshimi Katayama | Japan | Suzuki | 10 | 1 | |
| 6 | Barry Smith | Australia | Derbi | 3 | 0 | |
| = | Ernst Degner | West Germany | Suzuki | 3 | 0 | |
| = | Mitsuo Itoh | Japan | Suzuki | 3 | 0 | |
| 9 | Angel Nieto | Spain | Derbi | 2 | 0 | |
| = | Oswald Dittrich | West Germany | Kreidler | 2 | 0 | |
| = | Brian Gleed | United Kingdom | Honda | 2 | 0 | |
| = | Tommy Robb | United Kingdom | Bridgestone | 2 | 0 | |
| 13 |  Cees van Dongen | Netherlands | Kreidler | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Isao Morishita | Japan | Bridgestone | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Dave Simmonds | United Kingdom | Honda | 1 | 0 | |
| = | André Roth | Switzerland | Derbi | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jack Findlay | Australia | Bridgestone | 1 | 0 |
Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the highest class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held since the start of the twentieth century and large national events were often given the title Grand Prix. The foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme as the international governing body for motorcycle sport in 1949 provided the opportunity to coordinate rules and regulations in order that selected events could count towards official World Championships. It is the oldest established motorsport world championship.
Giacomo Agostini is an Italian former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. Nicknamed Ago, he amassed 122 Grand Prix wins and 15 World Championship titles. Of these, 68 wins and 8 titles came in the 500 cc class, the rest in the 350 cc class. For these achievements obtained over the course of a career spanning 17 years, the AMA described him as "...perhaps the greatest Grand Prix rider of all time". In 2000, Agostini was inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame as a MotoGP Legend, while in 2010, he was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.
Jarno Karl Keimo Saarinen was a Finnish professional Motorcycle racer. He competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1968 to 1971 as Yamaha privateer, before receiving the Yamaha factory's full support in 1972 and 1973. In the early 1970s, he was considered one of the most promising and talented motorcycle road racers of his era until he was killed during the 1973 Nations Grand Prix in Italy. Saarinen's death led to increased demands for better safety conditions for motorcycle racers competing in the world championships. He remains the only Finn to have won a solo motorcycle road racing world championship. Saarinen was inducted into the F.I.M. MotoGP Hall of Fame in 2009.
The 1967 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 19th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of thirteen Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 30 April, with the Spanish Grand Prix, and ended with Japanese Grand Prix on 15 October.
The 1975 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 27th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.
Phillip William Read, was an English professional motorcycle racer. He competed in Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1961 to 1976. Read is notable for being the first competitor to win world championships in the 125 cc, 250 cc and 500 cc classes. Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary, Mike Hailwood, he won seven FIM Grand Prix road racing world championships.
The 1962 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 14th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of eleven Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 6 May, with Spanish Grand Prix and ended with Argentine Grand Prix on 14 October. Defending 350cc and 500cc world champion Gary Hocking was deeply affected by the death of his friend, Tom Phillis at the 1962 Isle of Man TT and, announced his retirement from motorcycle racing after winning the 1962 Senior TT. Hocking's MV Agusta teammate, Mike Hailwood went on to win his first 500cc world championship.
The 1972 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 24th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 30 April, with West German Grand Prix and ended with Spanish Grand Prix on 23 September.
The 1963 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 15th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 5 May, with Spanish Grand Prix and ended with Japanese Grand Prix on 10 November.
The 1964 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 16th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 2 February, with United States Grand Prix and ended with Japanese Grand Prix on 1 November.
Luigi Taveri was a Swiss professional Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He competed in the FIM motorcycle Grand Prix world championships from 1954 to 1966. Taveri is notable for being a three-time 125cc road racing world champion. Although he specialised in the smaller engined machines, Taveri is the only competitor to have scored points in six Grand Prix classes: 50cc, 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, 500cc and Sidecars. In 2016, he was named an FIM Legend for his motorcycling achievements.
The 1965 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 17th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of thirteen Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 21 March, with United States Grand Prix and ended with Japanese Grand Prix on October, 24.
The 1968 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 20th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of ten Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 21 April, with German Grand Prix and ended with Nations Grand Prix on 15 September. As the sidecar race was cancelled at the Nations Grand Prix, it was announced that a replacement race would be held at Hockenheimring in October alongside the German national championship.
The 1969 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 21st F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 4 May, with Spanish Grand Prix and ended with Yugoslavian Grand Prix on 14 September.
The 1974 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 26th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season.
The 1971 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 23rd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 9 May, with Austrian Grand Prix and ended with Spanish Grand Prix on 26 September.
The 1970 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 22nd F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix season. The season consisted of twelve Grand Prix races in six classes: 500cc, 350cc, 250cc, 125cc, 50cc and Sidecars 500cc. It began on 3 May, with West German Grand Prix and ended with Spanish Grand Prix on 27 September.
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