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]