Alex George (motorcyclist) explained

Alex George
Nationality:British
Gp Active Years:1970, 1973 - 1979
Gp Teams:Honda
Gp Race Starts:36
Gp Championships:0
Gp Race Wins:0
Gp Podiums:3
Gp Total Points:153
Gp Poles:0
Gp Fastest Laps:0
Gp First Race:1970 Isle of Man 250 cc Lightweight TT
Gp Last Race:1979 500 cc Belgian Grand Prix
Tt Contested:1970–1992
Tt Wins:3 – 1975, 1979 (2)
Tt First Win:1975
Tt Last Win:1979
Tt Podiums:3

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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Alex George Isle of Man TT results at iomtt.com . iomtt.com . 6 February 2022 .
  2. Web site: Alex George Grand Prix statistics at MotoGP.com . motogp.com . 6 February 2022 .
  3. Book: Motocourse 1977-1978 . Hazleton Securities Ltd . Carter . Chris . 57 . 0-905138-04-X.
  4. News: Cyclist Killed In Prix Race . Associated Press . The Milwaukee Sentinel . 2 . 2 May 1977 . 4 December 2011 . 23 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151223153433/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2MUVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6xEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4828,101306&dq=johnny+cecotto&hl=en . dead .
  5. Web site: 1975 World Endurance Racing final standings . racingmemo.free.fr . 6 February 2022 .
  6. Web site: Alex George biography at iomtt.com . iomtt.com . 6 February 2022 .
  7. https://www.crmc.co.uk/news-blog/crmc-agm-and-dinner-dance-2016/ CRMC AGM and Dinner Dance 2016
  8. https://www.classicracer.com/new-ttra-president/ New TTRA President