Caption:

Phil Read’s comeback Isle of Man TT ride couldn’t have

been more unpopular among the TT cognoscenti, many of whom held him largely responsible for the Island races losing their World Championship status. With the inaugural Formula 1 Championship, decided on just one race in the Isle of Man in 1977, Read saw an opportunity to revive his career and take advantage of the generous start money offered by the organisers. Despite the obvious disapproval from sections of the crowd, Read kept his cool and rode his Honda Britain sponsored bike to victory in the weather-shortened race. But even that moment of glory was shrouded in controversy. With speculation that the Honda crew had received a tip off from an official that the flag would go out early, Read stayed out rather than pitting, while his nearest rival, Welshman Roger Nicholls, came in as planned and lost valuable time and with it any chance of victory.