Roads: 1962 Isle of Man TT Sidecar winner Chris Vincent dies

Five-time British Sidecar champion and Isle of Man TT racer winner Chris Vincent has died at the age of 86.

Vincent won the 1962 TT Sidecar race, with passenger Eric Bliss, on the BSA machine, with the duo becoming the first all-British team to win at the TT since 1954. The victory was also the first by a British machine since 1925 and BSAs first-ever at the TT.

Vincent also competed as a solo rider at the TT and finished inside the top 12 on two occasions, the 1962 Lightweight 125 TT (12th) and the 1967 Production 250 TT (8th).

In 1965, Vincent won the Sidecar and 50cc British Championship to become the first rider to secure British titles on two and three wheels. In total, Vincent won the British Sidecar title on five occasions: 1964, 1965, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

Vincent and passenger Keith Scott also competed at the 1963 Southern 100, leading the nine-lap race from start to finish at an average speed of 75.330mph. The duo set the fastest lap of 3 minutes 16.2 seconds, equal to 77.980mph.

Vincent also raced on the world stage and claimed podiums in the World Sidecar Championship at Assen, Brno and Clermont Ferrand, France. He also raced at Spa-Francorchamps and Hockenheim. Vincent won at victory at Imatra, Finland, on his way to fourth overall in 1972.

Vincent retired from racing in 1974. His sons, Max and Jason, followed in their father’s footsteps and became racers. Jason is a 250cc British champion and scored points in the 2001 500cc British Grand Prix at Donington whilst standing in for the injured Gary McCoy at the Red Bull Yamaha team.

Our thoughts are with Chris’ family and friends at this difficult time.