1971 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season

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Jarno Saarinen (48) at 1971 Nations Grand Prix Jarno Saarinen at 1971 Nations motorcycle Grand Prix.jpg
Jarno Saarinen (48) at 1971 Nations Grand Prix

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.

Season summary

Giacomo Agostini would claim his tenth world championship in 1971, passing Carlo Ubbiali and Mike Hailwood as the all time championship leader. [1] Angel Nieto challenged for the 50cc and 125cc titles. A crash in the final 50cc race handed the title to Dutchman Jan de Vries but, Nieto was able to claim the 125 crown over a young Barry Sheene. [1] Phil Read captured the 250 championship on a private Yamaha-powered Eric Cheney-designed chassis, after falling out with the Yamaha factory. [1] [2]

Agostini won the 350 title for the fourth year in a row but a newcomer served notice when young Finn, Jarno Saarinen, won his first Grand Prix at the Czechoslovakian round then won again in Italy. [1] Agostini had things his way in the 500cc class, winning the first eight rounds of the eleven race series against minimal factory-sponsored opposition. [1] For the second consecutive year a New Zealand rider finished second in the premier class – Ginger Molloy in 1970 and Keith Turner in 1971. [1]

Jack Findlay's victory at the 1971 Ulster Grand Prix not only marked the first victory for a Suzuki motorcycle in the premier 500cc class, but also the first-ever 500cc class victory for a motorcycle powered by a two stroke engine. [3] [4] Kawasaki won their first 500cc class victory at the season ending Spanish Grand Prix at Jarama when Dave Simmonds won the race after Agostini sat out the event after already winning the championship. [1] The inaugural Austrian Grand Prix was held at the new high-speed Salzburgring.

1971 Grand Prix season calendar

RoundDateGrand PrixCircuit50cc winner125cc winner250cc winner350cc winner500cc winnerSidecars 500cc winnerReport
19 May Flag of Austria.svg Austrian Grand Prix Salzburgring Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan de Vries Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of Italy.svg Silvio Grassetti Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Germany.svg Butscher / Huber Report
216 May Flag of Germany.svg West German Grand Prix Hockenheimring Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan de Vries Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Simmonds Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Read Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Germany.svg Auerbacher / Hahn Report
312 June Flag of the Isle of Man.svg Isle of Man TT Snaefell Mountain Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chas Mortimer Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Read Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Jefferies Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Germany.svg Schauzu / Kalauch Report
426 June Flag of the Netherlands.svg Dutch TT Assen Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Read Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Germany.svg Owesle / Kremer Report
54 July Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgian Grand Prix Spa-Francorchamps Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan de Vries Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene Flag of Italy.svg Silvio Grassetti Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Germany.svg Schauzu / Kalauch Report
611 July Flag of East Germany.svg East German Grand Prix Sachsenring Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of Germany.svg Dieter Braun Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Report
718 July Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czechoslovakian Grand Prix Brno Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of Hungary.svg János Drapál Flag of Finland.svg Jarno Saarinen Flag of Germany.svg Schauzu / Kalauch Report
825 July Flag of Sweden.svg Swedish Grand Prix Anderstorp Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rodney Gould Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Report
91 August Flag of Finland.svg Finnish Grand Prix Imatra Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rodney Gould Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini Flag of Germany.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Owesle / Rutterford Report
1014 August Ulster Banner.svg Ulster Grand Prix Dundrod Ulster Banner.svg Ray McCullough Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Williams Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Findlay Flag of Germany.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Owesle / Rutterford Report
1112 September Flag of Italy.svg Nations Grand Prix Monza Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan de Vries Flag of Italy.svg Gilberto Parlotti Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Gyula Marsovsky Flag of Finland.svg Jarno Saarinen Flag of Italy.svg Alberto Pagani Report
1226 September Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Spanish Grand Prix Jarama Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan de Vries Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto Flag of Finland.svg Jarno Saarinen Flag of Finland.svg Teuvo Länsivuori Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Simmonds Report

Scoring system

Points were awarded to the top ten finishers in each race. Only the best of six races were counted on 50cc, 125cc, 350cc and 500cc championships, best of seven in 250cc, while in the Sidecars, the best of five races were counted.

Position 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th  10th 
Points1512108654321

500cc final standings

PosRiderMachine AUT
Flag of Austria.svg
GER
Flag of Germany.svg
MAN
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg
HOL
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
BEL
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
DDR
Flag of East Germany.svg
SWE
Flag of Sweden.svg
FIN
Flag of Finland.svg
ULS
Ulster Banner.svg
NAC
Flag of Italy.svg
ESP
Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg
Pts
1 Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini MV Agusta 11111111Ret90 (120)
2 Flag of New Zealand.svg Keith Turner Coleman-Suzuki 2Ret74Ret224Ret6558 (67)
3 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Rob Bron Suzuki 2248Ret3257
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Simmonds Kawasaki Ret3Ret623152
5 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jack Findlay Suzuki / Jada 4RetRet310515650 (51)
6 Flag of France.svg Eric Offenstadt Kawasaki 3RetRet2RetRetRetRet332
7 Ulster Banner.svg Tommy Robb Hurst-Seeley / Matchless 6157Ret39331
8 Flag of Italy.svg Alberto Pagani Linto / MV Agusta 75RetRetRetRet7129
9 Flag of Finland.svg Kaarlo Koivuniemi Seeley-Matchless 55Ret224
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ron Chandler Kawasaki 3Ret5Ret8Ret19
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Frank Perris Suzuki / Seeley / Linto 37RetRetRet14
12 Flag of Germany.svg Lothar John Yamaha 5Ret12RetRetRet8713
13 Flag of Italy.svg Gianpiero Zubani Kawasaki Ret212
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Williams Arter-Matchless 212
15 Flag of Sweden.svg Bo Granath Husqvarna 8RetRet8Ret610Ret12
16 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Billie Nelson Paton 661011
17 Flag of Germany.svg Ernst Hiller Kawasaki Ret11RetRet310
18 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Maurice Hawthorne Kawasaki Ret4RetRetRetRetRetRet8
19 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Hans-Rudolf Brünger Bultaco 4Ret8
20 Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Benjamin Grau Bultaco 48
= Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Selwyn Griffiths Cowles-Matchless 48
= Flag of Sweden.svg Ulfe Nilsson Seeley-Matchless 48
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Read Ducati 48
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Percy Tait Seeley-Matchless 48
25 Flag of Sweden.svg Ivan Carlsson Yamaha RetRet116RetRetRet97
26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Curry Seeley-Matchless Ret5Ret6
27 Ulster Banner.svg Gerry Mateer Norton Ret56
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Pantall Padgett-Kawasaki 5Ret6
29 Flag of Austria.svg Karl Auer Matchless RetRet6Ret5
30 Flag of Finland.svg Matti Salonen Yamaha RetRet65
31 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roger Sutcliffe Matchless 65
32 Flag of Germany.svg Hans-Otto Butenuth BMW 710RetRet5
33 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Piet Van der Wal Kawasaki Ret9Ret85
34 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Jones Suzuki 19Ret74
35 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Jean Campiche Honda 7Ret4
36 Ulster Banner.svg Tom Herron Seeley 74
= Flag of Sweden.svg Morgan Radberg Monark 74
38 Flag of Germany.svg Kurt-Willy Bertsch BMW 83
= Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Joan Bordons Bultaco 83
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jerry Lancaster Yamaha 83
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charlie Sanby Seeley-Matchless 83
42 Flag of Germany.svg Paul Eickelberg Yamaha 910Ret3
43 Flag of Sweden.svg Johnny Bengtsson Kawasaki 9Ret2
= Flag of Finland.svg Pentti Lehtelä Yamaha 9Ret2
45 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Dickie Cowles-Matchless 92
= Flag of Germany.svg Horst Dzierzawa Yamaha 92
= Flag of Italy.svg Giuseppe Mongardi Ducati 92
= Ulster Banner.svg Donnie Robinson Padgett-Yamaha 92
49 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Dodds König Ret10RetRetRetRetRetRet1
50 Flag of Italy.svg Emanuele Maugliani Seeley-Matchless 101
= Flag of the Netherlands.svg Rob Noorlander Norton 101
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stan Woods Norton 101
53 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Moses Norton 11160
54 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charlie Dobson Seeley RetRetRet110
55 Flag of Austria.svg Werner Bergold Kawasaki Ret11Ret0
56 Flag of Algeria.svg Larbi Habbiche Yamaha 110
57 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Robert Graham Norton Ret120
58 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Norman Price Norton 120
59 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Lawton Norton 13130
60 Flag of Germany.svg Rolf Rott Kawasaki 130
61 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Derek Lee Matchless 140
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roger Nichols Matchless 140
63 Ulster Banner.svg Roy Reid Seeley 32150
64 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Roy Bisbey Norton 160
65 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Geoff Barry Oakley-Matchless / Seeley 17Ret0
66 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Scully Scott 170
67 Ulster Banner.svg Bob Ramsey Seeley 180
= Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Wade Tickle Manx Norton 180
69 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chris Neve Seeley 30190
70 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Don Harris Norton 200
71 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Foulkes Norton 210
72 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jeff Boniface Norton 220
73 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Edwards Norton 230
74 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Fred Walton Velocette Metisse 240
75 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Len Williams Aermacchi 250
76 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tom Loughridge Suzuki 260
77 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gordon Daniels TWS Suzuki 270
78 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Ashton Seeley 280
79 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Stanley Seeley 290
80 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Trevor Armstrong Norton 310
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Gyula Marsovszky Linto RetRetRetRetRetRetRetRetRet0
Flag of the Netherlands.svg Theo Louwes Kawasaki RetRetRetRetRet0
Flag of Finland.svg Hannu Kuparinen Suzuki RetRetRetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Carney Kawasaki RetRetRetRet0
Flag of France.svg Cristian Ravel Kawasaki RetRetRetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Barnett Aermacchi RetRetRet0
Flag of Italy.svg Silvano Bertarelli Kawasaki RetRetRet0
Flag of Germany.svg Karl Hoppe König RetRetRet0
Flag of Sweden.svg Börje Andersson Honda RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Vincent Duckett Seeley RetRet0
Flag of Italy.svg Roberto Gallina Paton RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Ellis Yamaha RetRet0
Flag of Sweden.svg Sven-Olov Gunnarsson Kawasaki RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Jefferies Arter-Matchless RetRet0
Flag of Finland.svg Kai Kuparinen Suzuki RetRet0
Ulster Banner.svg Billy McCosh Seeley RetRet0
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ginger Molloy Kawasaki RetRet0
Flag of Denmark.svg Borge Nielsen Honda RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill Smith Seeley / Kawasaki RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Williams Arter-Matchless RetRet0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Brian Adams Norton RetRet0
Ulster Banner.svg Abe Alexander Seeley Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Anderson Matchless Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Martin Ashwood Quaife Metisse Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Sergio Baroncini Ducati Ret0
Flag of Sweden.svg Jöram Blom Seeley Ret0
Flag of Austria.svg Hans Braumandl Matchless Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Clive Brown Norton Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Paolo Campanelli Kawasaki Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alistair Copeland Norton Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Walter Dawson Norton Ret0
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Terry Dennehy Honda Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Derek Filler Seeley Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg George Fogarty Cunningham-Suzuki Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bill Fulton Stafford-Matchless Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Denis Gallagher Seeley Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alex George Kawasaki Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Gibson Seeley Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Godfrey Tickle Manx Norton Ret0
Ulster Banner.svg Campbell Gorman Seeley Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Don Grant Norton Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Terry Grotefeld Padgett-Yamaha Ret0
Ulster Banner.svg Billie Guthrie Yamaha Ret0
Flag of Finland.svg Osmo Hansen Linto Ret0
Flag of Norway.svg Morten Hauger Honda Ret0
Ulster Banner.svg Harris Healey Norton Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bob Health BSA Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Keith Heckles Norton Ret0
Flag of Finland.svg Ari Heikkilä Matchless Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg John Hughes Yamaha Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Albert Hund Honda Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Ted Janssen Suzuki Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Malcolm Jefery Norton Ret0
Flag of Sweden.svg Lasse Johansson HM Ret0
Flag of Hungary.svg Arpad Juhos Aermacchi Ret0
Flag of Ireland.svg Austin Kinsella Matchless Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ray Knight Hughes-Triumph Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Udo Kochanski BMW Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Otto Labitzke BMW Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Horst Lahfeld König Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Vasco Loro Yamaha Ret0
Flag of Austria.svg Alois Maxwald Linto Ret0
Ulster Banner.svg Ray McCullough Seeley Ret0
Ulster Banner.svg Ian McGregor Norton Ret0
Ulster Banner.svg Stephen Murray Seeley Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Godfrey Nash Honda Ret0
Flag of Finland.svg Oiva Papunen Kawasaki Ret0
Flag of Finland.svg Anssi Resko Suzuki Ret0
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Walter Rungg Aermacchi Ret0
Flag of Sweden.svg Hasse Rutgersson HRS Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Reinhard Scholtis Kawasaki Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Alfred Schwander Suzuki Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Bruno Spaggiari Ducati Ret0
Flag of Sweden.svg Bo Strandell Linto Ret0
Flag of Denmark.svg Claus Tarum Honda Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ken Tilley Norton Ret0
Flag of Germany.svg Jupp Tröblinger König Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dennis Trollope Seeley Ret0
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Walsh Norton Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Carl Ward Norton Ret0
Flag of Austria.svg Manfred Weingartner Matchless Ret0
Flag of Austria.svg Max Wiener Aermacchi Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Louis With Kawasaki Ret0
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ray Wittich Saunders-Norton Ret0
Flag of Italy.svg Benedetto Zambotti Kawasaki Ret0
PosRiderBke AUT
Flag of Austria.svg
GER
Flag of Germany.svg
MAN
Flag of the Isle of Man.svg
HOL
Flag of the Netherlands.svg
BEL
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg
DDR
Flag of East Germany.svg
SWE
Flag of Sweden.svg
FIN
Flag of Finland.svg
ULS
Ulster Banner.svg
NAC
Flag of Italy.svg
ESP
Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg
Pts
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenPoints finish
BlueNon-points finish
Non-classified finish (NC)
PurpleRetired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Withdrew (WD)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Excluded (EX)

Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap

1971 350 cc Roadracing World Championship final standings

PlaceRiderNumberCountryMachinePointsWins
1 Flag of Italy.svg Giacomo Agostini 1Italy MV Agusta 906
2 Flag of Finland.svg Jarno Saarinen Finland Yamaha 632
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Ivan Carlsson Sweden Yamaha 390
4 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Theo Bult Netherlands Yamaha 360
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Smart United Kingdom Yamaha 340
6 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Werner Pfirter Switzerland Yamaha 330
7 Flag of Sweden.svg Bo Granath 10 Sweden Yamaha 300
7 Flag of Hungary.svg László Szabó Hungary Yamaha 290
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Jefferies United Kingdom Yamaha 251
10 Flag of Finland.svg Teuvo Lansivuori Finland Yamaha 251

1971 250 cc Roadracing World Championship final standings

PlaceRiderNumberCountryMachinePointsWins
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Phil Read United Kingdom Yamaha 733
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rodney Gould 1United Kingdom Yamaha 682
3 Flag of Finland.svg Jarno Saarinen 4 Finland Yamaha 641
4 Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Dodds Australia Yamaha 590
5 Flag of Germany.svg Dieter Braun West Germany Yamaha 581
6 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Gyula Marsovsky 7 Switzerland Yamaha 571
7 Flag of Italy.svg Silvio Grassetti 10Italy MZ 432
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chas Mortimer 6United Kingdom Yamaha 420
9 Flag of Hungary.svg János Drapál Hungary Yamaha 261
10 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Theo Bult 20 Netherlands Yamaha 220

1971 125 cc Roadracing World Championship final standings

PlaceRiderNumberCountryMachinePointsWins
1 Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto 1Spain Derbi 875
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene United Kingdom Suzuki 793
3 Flag of Sweden.svg Börje Jansson 3 Sweden Maico 640
4 Flag of Germany.svg Dieter Braun West Germany Maico 540
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Chas Mortimer United Kingdom Yamaha 481
6 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dave Simmonds 4United Kingdom Kawasaki 481
7 Flag of Germany.svg Gert Bender West Germany Maico 410
8 Flag of Italy.svg Gilberto Parlotti Italy Morbidelli 391
9 Flag of Sweden.svg Kent Andersson Sweden Yamaha 300
10 Flag of East Germany.svg Jurgen Lenk East Germany MZ 270

1971 50 cc Roadracing World Championship final standings

PlaceRiderNumberCountryMachinePointsWins
1 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan De Vries 5 Netherlands Kreidler 755
2 Flag of Spain (1945-1977).svg Angel Nieto 1Spain Derbi 693
3 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jos Schurgers 6 Netherlands Kreidler 420
4 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Herman Meyers 10 Netherlands Jamathi 410
5 Flag of Germany.svg Rudolf Kunz West Germany Kreidler 360
6 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Aalt Toersen Netherlands Jamathi 240
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Barry Sheene United Kingdom Kreidler 231
8 Flag of Italy.svg Gilberto Parlotti 9Italy Derbi 220
9 Flag of Spain.svg Federico van der Hoeven Netherlands Derbi 220
10 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Jan Bruins Netherlands Kreidler 190

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