Today is the 9th anniversary of the death of champion Australian road racer, Jim Budd. (8-10-50 to 28-7-01)
Here’s Jim on board the Team Avon Yamaha XS-1100 on his way to winning the Castrol Six Hour race at Amaroo Park for the 2nd time in 1978. Teaming with Roger Heyes again, the team stunned the field by pulling a rear wheel change at the half-race distance, something no-one before had attempted. They went to to win easily, beating a field of bikes that we already skating around on worn rubber. A master stroke by team manager, Linsday Walker. Come 1979, everyone did a rear wheel chenge!
Jim died much too young of a combinations of illnesses that would have seen a lesser man succumb much sooner.
In the annals of Australian road racing, and especially endurance racing, Jim has a very special place.
RIP Jim Budd.