It is 40 years ago yesterday that the daring young man William D Ivy was taken away in a racing accident at the Sachsenring, during practice for the then East German Grand Prix.

There is controversy over what Bill was doing at the time of the incident, was he fastening his helmet when the bike seized, subsequently not being able to reach the clutch lever, and the reason for his helmet seen to be coming off as he fell ??

Whatever he was doing, it was widely reported at the time that had he not succumbed to his head injuries, his chest injuries would have claimed his life.


He was a fabulous racer, daring and "cheeky" with it, an infectious wee man who was adored by his many thousands of fans worldwide.

How can anyone forget his TT exploits, especially with Phil Read on the Yamahas.

Bill was the first man to record a 100 mph lap on a 125cc machine at the TT in 1968, doing so on his Yamaha, on the second lap with a 100.32 time. Sticking to team orders, (although Bill stuck to the story that his engine had slowed on the last lap, saying so with an impish grin), he even slowed up at The Creg on the last lap of the race, to ask who was winning, thereby allowing Phil Read to overtake him and take the race win.

The sad thing about his death is that the world of racing never really saw the best of Bill Ivy. But I hope we don't forget what we did see .....A giant of a little man. ~ Mike Hailwood

Sadly gone, never forgotten, my all time hero,

Malcolm

Photographs by Bernd Fischer