Padgetts Racing
"To be successful at racing, you must set your sights on the top. Second place is never enough." - Clive Padgett
The Padgett team heritage spans three generations of British racing legends – from Hailwood, Ivy and Read to Haslam McElnea and Fogarty to Camier, McGuinness, Hutchinson and Anstey, all have starred in the company’s role of honour. Over the years Padgett’s Motorcycles has provided spectators with more than their fair share of peak sporting moments at British and World motorcycling events.
From simple beginnings, chasing glory on home-built machines, with little more than will power and talent to carry them through, Padgett’s Motorcycles has now emerged as the dominant and probably most successful privateer team in the world.
The Padgett family is a racing legend, widely acknowledged as Britain’s leading race management team. Peter and his brother Don Padgett are responsible for initiating the careers of scores of Europe’s top riders, whilst Peter’s son Clive Padgett is Britain’s youngest ever champion, still holding some fastest lap records.
Clive’s first meeting was at Cadwell Park in 1976. With a Yamaha 250 he finished tenth in his first race, ninth in the second and won the third. The impressive success continued and from 15 meetings, a couple of which were nations, Clive ended his first season with 27 wins in the 250cc and 350cc classes.
The 1977 season ended with 39 wins the 250cc British Championship and the 250cc and 500cc British Clubmans Championships trophies, winning every round of both classes.
Having enjoyed outstanding success at home Clive now set his sights on the continent where he enjoyed unparalleled success at 19 years of age in the FIM World Grand Prix Series.
Padgett’s record of achievement continued throughout the 1970’s