Bill Ivy

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Bill Ivy (27 August 1942–July 12, 1969) was a British motorcycle racer from Maidstone, Kent.

Ivy started racing motorbikes at Brands Hatch in 1959.^[1] His first races in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing championship came towards the end of 1965, where he finished fourth in two 125 cc races and third in a 250 cc race. In 1966, he raced for the works Yamaha team. He won the first race of the year in Spain, and took three more wins. However this was not enough to beat the Swiss rider Luigi Taveri, who beat Ivy to the title by six points.

1967 saw Ivy dominate the 125 cc championship. Out of twelve races, he won eight and took the championship by 16 points from Phil Read. On top of this, he won two 250 cc races in France and Belgium.

In 1968, Ivy and his team mate Phil Read were in control of the 125 and 250 cc championships. Yamaha ordered them to win one title each, with Ivy scheduled to win the 250 cc championship, and Read the 125 cc championship.^[1] After securing the 125 cc title, Read ignored Yamaha's orders to tie with Ivy on points. The tie break was decided on overall race times, and Read took the title. Ivy announced his retirement from motorcycle racing, stating that he would race Formula Two cars during the next season.

Despite announcing his retirement the previous year, Ivy returned to motorcycle racing in 1969, racing a 350 cc motorcycle for Jawa Motors. The season started promisingly, as he took two second places behind Giacomo Agostini. During practice for the fifth race in East Germany, his motorcycle's engine seized^[2], and Ivy was thrown from the bike. He sustained massive head injuries and died in hospital.