In 1961 MV failed to win a race, to the delight of British fans Norton won two, Honda achieved a double and Mike Hailwood became the first rider in the history of the TT to win three races in one week.
Although Taveri was mainly involved in the 50 and 125 cc classes, he would sometimes ride the 250 fours and the CR72 and CR77 production racers, which earned him third place in the 350 cc world championship in 1963
Thanks to some arm twisting by Mike Hailwood's father Stan, Honda lend a 125 cc twin and 250 cc four to 21 year young Brit Mike Hailwood (see second image at left - Mike with his father Stan after winning the 125 cc class on Man, 1961).
Hailwood gives Soichiro Honda his first TT victory in the 125 cc class on Man. He goes on to win his first world championship this year, the 250 cc. Honda are not happy that he beats their works riders, and it is only in 1966 that he gets a works contract.
Another man, racing Hondas in national races in England is John Hartle (see third image at left), a former MV works rider.
Although the works riders are not happy with these "privateers", it gives Honda a lot of publicity, and that is what racing is all about.
During this year Japanese riders Moto Kitano and Teisuke Tanaka compete in various races – the Honda policy with regard to the Japanese riders is a bit obscure.
