Photo from the Gus Kuhn archive |
In 1978 Chas Mortimer finished 6th on the Gus Kuhn Suzuki at the Formula 1 TT and then competed in his first endurance race at the Nurburgring, partnering Kenny Blake, on the same machine.
Son of a former Brooklands racer, he was one of the most successful British riders of the 1970's, not only at the TT but also in the World Championships, both as a works Yamaha rider and a privateer. His career begun in 1965 when just a teenager but by 1969 he had already taken his first British title. He immediately progressed into the World Championships and took his first GP win in the 1971 Lightweight 125cc TT race.
Between 1970 and 1976, he never finished outside the top eight in at least one of the 125cc, 250cc or 350cc World Championships and he continued to have success on the Isle of Man including victories in the 1974 Formula 750cc race, 1975 250cc race and 1976 350cc race. His final victory at the TT came in the 1978 Junior 350cc race, a year in which he also clinched his second British Championship, the 250cc title.
In all Mortimer took 9 TT wins, 7 GP wins and 38 GP podiums in a fine career, which finally ended after the 1984 TT. Mortimer is now a regular on the Classic scene and can be seen racing his Manx Norton at various events. [Thanks to www.sportsbikeforum.co.uk for this information.]
If you have further details of Chas's career and would like to add information,
memories and/or pictures, please contact us.
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