TT winner and road racing legend Tony Rutter has died
Isle of Man TT winner and former grand prix racer Tony Rutter has died at the age of 78 after a short illness
Tony Rutter, a multiple Isle of Man TT winner and four-time Formula Two World Champion, has died at the age of 78.
Tony, father of British Superbike rider Michael Rutter, died after a short illness.
Rutter competed at international grand prix motorcycling level between 1969 and 1976 and picked up the British road racing national championship title for 350cc in 1971 and in the 250cc class in 1973, both on Yamahas.
He’d go on to complete the first 110mph lap of the North West 200 in 1973, an event he’d win nine times to be inducted into the NW200 Hall of Fame. He also won four Formula Two World Championships from 1981 and 1984.
He continued to compete in road racing after moving away from short circuit competition, scoring seven wins on the TT between 1973 and 1985, retiring in 1991.
He is the father of Michael Rutter, himself a multiple winner in the British Superbike Championship, Isle of Man TT and Macau GP. A statement from Michael confirmed Tony’s passing..
"It is with sadness that after a period of poor health, dad passed away earlier today. I was with him when he died at about 2am last night and he was very peaceful.
“It makes me smile how dad lived his life exactly how he wanted to and how he got away with so much!
“He will probably be best remembered for winning the world TT-F2 championship four times on a Ducati, as well as seven Isle of Man TT wins, nine North West 200 wins, and two British championship titles during his 22-year career.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to his carers for taking such good care of him and all his fans and supporters.”
