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In this issue of the archetypal 70's biker mag, Phil races an Aston Martin Vantage driven by Derek Bell. Phil rides the latest "hyperbike" from Honda - the CBX1000.

Who won?
Top Speed: Honda 139mph, Aston 170mph
Standing 1/4: Honda 11.7 sec, Aston 14 sec
Lap: Honda 1m 13.5s 97.9mph, Aston 1m 11.5s 100.7mph
Slalom: Honda 16.6s, Aston 20.42s

Suffice it to say that the Honda was comprehensively pulped by the 5.4 litre V8, except when it came to the acceleration tests and the twisty bits. The author (Michael Scott, then editor of Superbike mag) was absolutely blown away by the way that Phil wrung the neck of the evil-handling CBX, subsequently discovered to be running on half-worn tyres which may have explained the vicious weave at 100mph+ ...  and you can't wheelie an Aston!

These images are © IPC Media and are reproduced with their kind permission.

This is from the same copy of Superbike magazine above. Here showing an advertisement for Phil's "Phil Read International" business selling motorcycling clothing and accessories.

You too can buy a "Phil Read Helmet" in stylish polycarbonate.

£19.95

Shows the line-up for the TT Formula 1 race (the first of its kind)

What a selection of machines including everything from Read's works Honda to the odd 500cc two strokes.

This is an extract from an article inside the 1977 TT Programme that tried to explain the new formula and what the rules were.

This extract shows Phil leaping Ballaugh Bridge on a Honda 400-4 while he was undertaking a few laps to reacquaint himself with the circuit after a few year's absence.

Still with the 1977 IoM TT, this was put out by the IoM Tourist Board.

Not Phil...   but they are wearing his helmet!

Typical ad of the era (and typical of the magazine!): does anyone remember those iconic "Life" helmet ads with the bodypaint models?

Now here's something a little bit different. A First Day Cover celebrating 85 years of the TT and featuring Phil on the No 11 TTF1-winning bike from 1977.

The series is titled "Famous TT Riders, Number 5, Phil Read"

Never a company to miss a marketing opportunity, Honda quickly tarted up a standard CB750F2 with some race-rep bodywork and a black 4-1 exhaust to create the PRR.

A triumph of style over substance, these are now quite rare and command reasonable prices. But with no mirrors or indicators, they are a nightmare to ride on today's roads (trust me, I rode one around the M25... )

This is the front of the flyer.

...and here's the reverse.

This is the programme for the presentation event for the 1960 Senior Race.
The race was won by Phil Read on a Manx Norton - his first GP win.

A hugely interesting piece of history. 

This is the inside page.

An impulse eBay buy.

I know nothing of Michael Kinsella (neither does Google)
If you do, or if you are Michael Kinsella, please get in touch!