Alex George (motorcyclist)

Last updated

Alex George
Nationality British
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years 1970, 1973 - 1979
First race 1970 Isle of Man 250 cc Lightweight TT
Last race 1979 500 cc Belgian Grand Prix
Team(s) Honda
Championships 0
StartsWinsPodiums Poles F. laps Points
360300153
Isle of Man TT career
TTs contested1970–1992
TT wins3 – 1975, 1979 (2)
First TT win1975
Last TT win1979
TT podiums3 [1]

Alex George (born March 1949) is a Scottish former professional motorcycle road racer. He competed in the Grand Prix world championships in 1970 and then from 1973 to 1979. George was a street circuit specialist and was a three-time winner at the Isle of Man TT. [1] His best year in world championship competition came in 1975 when he finished in seventh place in the 500 cc Grand Prix world championship. [2]

Born in Glasgow, George finished tenth in the 500 class in 1973. [2] During the 1975 500cc world championship, he scored podium results with a third place behind Phil Read and Giacomo Agostini at the 500cc Czechoslovak Grand Prix and a third place behind Dieter Braun and Pentti Korhonen at the 350 cc Dutch TT. [2] His third place in the 1977 500 cc Austrian Grand Prix came about as a result of some riders boycotting the race, following an accident in the earlier 350 cc race. Riders in the 500 cc category then organised a boycott of their race which led to only 14 competitors taking part. [3] [4] He teamed up with Jean-Claude Chemarin on the Honda France team to win the 1976 Bol d'Or 24-hour endurance race. [5] He also competed in the Formula 750 Class on a Yamaha TZ750.

His most memorable victory at the Isle of Man TT came in 1979, when he beat pre-race favourite Mike Hailwood who had successfully returned to motorcycle racing at the 1978 Isle of Man TT after a short time in Formula 1 Grand Prix car racing. [1] Serious injuries sustained while competing in the 1982 Isle of Man TT ended his competitive career. [6]

George was President of the TT Riders Association during 2017. [7] [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "Alex George Isle of Man TT results at iomtt.com". iomtt.com. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 "Alex George Grand Prix statistics at MotoGP.com". motogp.com. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  3. ↑ Carter, Chris (ed.). Motocourse 1977-1978. Hazleton Securities Ltd. p. 57. ISBN   0-905138-04-X.
  4. ↑ "Cyclist Killed In Prix Race". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. 2 May 1977. p. 2. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "1975 World Endurance Racing final standings". racingmemo.free.fr. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  6. ↑ "Alex George biography at iomtt.com". iomtt.com. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  7. ↑ CRMC AGM and Dinner Dance 2016 Classic Racing Motorcycle Club, 4 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2019
  8. ↑ New TTRA President Classic Racer, 18 February 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2019


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