Czech riders on Isle of Man
Michal DOKOUPIL alias Indi#23 will be first top class rider from Czech republic after 18 years who starts on Isle of Man. He will be on grid as newcomer this year. But in the past Czech road racers belonged to absolut world top. some of them started on Isle of Man of course. There is list of Czech riders who started in famous Tourist Trophy Isle of Man. I attached a few photos who I write about.
Frantisek BOCEK was born on 21 June 1935. He started in Czechoslovakia championship from 1957 to 1969. He won 11 races and once he was a Czechoslovak champion (1965 - 125ccm). He died on 21 June1969 in consequences of injuries which he suffered at a collision in Czechoslovak Grand Prix in Brno. He rode motorcycle JAWA all his career.
Gustav HAVEL was born on 27 August 1930. He started in Czechoslovakia championship from 1954 to 1976. He won 27 races and six times he was a Czechoslovak champion (1954 – 500ccm, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1966 – 350ccm). He was very popular especially in Horice where he won four races (350ccm). He died on 31 December 1967 in consequences of injuries which he suffered at a traffic accident when he rode motorcycle 50ccm ! The race in Horice was called after him in 1968. In 1961 he was the third in World championship in class 350ccm. In 1963, 1964 and 1966 he was the fifth in World championship. All his career he rode a motorcycle JAWA..
Gustav Havel is on left, in the middle is Franta Stastny, on right is John Redman
Vaclav PARUS was born on 18 September 1926. He started in Czechoslovakia championships for 16 seasons (from 1955 to 1969 and 1991). He won 11 races and three times he was a champion (1955, 1961, 1962 – 175ccm). He has started in oldies cup to this time. He rides motorcycles CZ and ESO.
Parus only a few years ago....
Stanislav MALINA was born in 1926. He started in Czechoslovakia championships from 1956 to 1964. He won 26 races and he was four times a champion (1959, 1963, 1964 – 125 ccm, 1963 – 250ccm). He died on 6 November1964.
Frantisek STASTNY the most successful Czech rider and a great person was born on 12 November 1927. He rode in Czechoslovakia championships from 1954 to 1971. He was five times a Czechoslovak champion (1960 – 250ccm, 1958, 1959, 1965 – 350ccm, 1956 – 500ccm) and altogether he won 24 races. Once he won the race in Horice (1962 in 250ccm). Franta Stastny started in world championships of course. He was very succesful : in 1960 he was the fourth in 350ccm, in 1961 second in 350ccm, 1962 fourth in 350 ccm and ninth in 500ccm, 1963 and 1965 fifth in 350ccm, 1966 seventh in 250ccm and fourth in 350ccm and 500ccm. Franta won four Grand Prix (1961 – Germany, Sweden, 1965 – Northern Ireland, 1966 – East Germany ).
Petr HLAVATKA was born on 22 March 1948. He was a very popular Czech rider. He started in Czechoslovakia championships from 1977 to 1991. He won in four races. In 1991 he fulfilled his big wish – he started in TT on Isle of Man. Unfortunatelly luck was not on his side he crashed during practice and then he died in consequences injurie which he suffered at this collision. Once he won in the race in Horice in class 500ccm.
