Jim Budd
Biography
A former mining electrician who was also a very keen and proficient competition alpine skier and squash player, Jim Budd was a naturally gifted sports person whose life ended too soon. Budd was also a very competent surfer and water-skier, but his love of motorcycles was where truly found success.
Budd started racing in 1974 egged on my childhood friend Neil Chivas, and he quickly rose through the ranks of production and improved touring to become one of the most respected riders of his generation. Budd was the first person to achieve his A Grade licence on production based motorcycles.
In 1975 as a C-Grader, Budd teamed with Eric Soetens on a Kawasaki 900, finishing 3rd in their class. Teaming with Roger Heyes on the Avon Tyres Kawasaki Z900, the pair won the 1976 Castrol Six-Hour at Amaroo Park against a quality field that included defending six-hour winner Gregg Hansford. Jim, at the time, was a provisional B-grader!
After teaming with different partners in the 1977 race – Budd and fellow Avon teamster Neil Chivas finished second behind the Joe Eastmure/Ken Blake BMWR100S entry
Heyes and Budd combined on an Avon Yamaha XS1100 to take out the 1978 six-hour thanks mainly to some inspired riding from Jimmy in the last session. Jim had been upgraded to A Grade just in time for the race. Competing in the same race were two brothers who would 10 years later become his brothers-in-law, Terry and Neil Kelly. Terry co-rode with John Warrian finishing second. Neil co-rode with Peter Walker.
By this stage of his career, Budd had established himself as one of the true supremos of local big-bore racing, which included stars the calibre of Dennis Neill, Gary Thomas, Alan Hales, Mick Hone, Roy Denison, Alan Decker, Tony Hatton and Michael Cole. Indeed, when asked who was his most respected rival of the late ‘70s, the legendary Kiwi Graeme Crosby had no doubt: Jim Budd.
In 1979, Budd rode an Avon Tyres sponsored Honda CBX1000 at Bathurst as well as the Phase 4 Engineering Kawasaki Z1000 in the inaugural Arai Three-Hour (later 500km), which he decked in the latter stages of the race on a damp and dark Mount Panorama. In the 1979 Castrol Six-Hour, Budd teamed with former Australian Unlimited Champion Greg Pretty on a Pitman’s Yamaha XS1100 to finish second yet again in the Castrol 6 Hour.
In 1980, Budd was given the chance of a life-time when he was drafted into one of the most formidable combinations in world road racing at the time – Team Kawasaki Australia alongside the great Gregg Hansford under the management of Neville Doyle. Budd and Hansford teamed up on the works Kawasaki Z1000SR endurance racer at the Arai 500 at Bathurst in 1980, and after Hansford duelled furiously with Neill in the opening stages of the race, the bike expired with clutch problems. The pair teamed up on the Z1000SR for the Bol d’Or, but a batch of bad fuel spoiled Jim’s one and only race in Europe. Budd teamed up with Paul Cawthorne on Kawasaki Z750 for TKA for the Castrol 6 Hour finishing 13th outright and 7th in class.
After leaving TKA after one year, Budd rode for Bathurst sponsor WarrenTaylor in the early ‘80s. He suffered a career-ending accident at Amaroo Park when he was run over ironically by Neil Chivas, sustaining serious head injuries that prompted his retirement. However, he made a well-publicised comeback in 1987 on a Yamaha FZR1000 for what turned out to be the final Castrol Six-Hour at Oran Park. Budd qualified an amazing third and after running as high as fourth, co-rider Simon Pinnington crashed the bike out of contention in what would be Jim Budd’s swan-song race.
Jim’s sporting career took another turn at this point in time, and his feet took to running, covering over 100kms weekly. His main form of transport became his pushbike which he rode daily all over the Central Coast covering over 200kms weekly. Not knowing what medical problems lay ahead of him.
Jim put back into the sport he so loved, helping out former SuperStreet guns Darryl Mallam in 1990 and later Graeme Wilshaw. Jim was only too glad to pass on advice to anyone. Big or small, famous or not, he treated everyone the same, respectfully.
It was in the early ‘90s that Jim suffered the first of four strokes which although restricted him physically, never dampened his spirit. Suffering a rare bone marrow disorder, Jim’s kidneys failed resulting in dialysis and a transplant within the next 13 years. Throughout it all Jim’s unfailing spirit, legendary determination and courage remain solid. His extreme health from his marathon running was the foundation for his ability to endure all that he did medically. He was a fighter right until the very end.
Jim Budd was one of the best exponents of big-bore racing of his era. His legacy will remain his skill and daring on the track, and his humble and quiet demeanour off it.
Written by Darryl Flack
Career Hightlights
| Year | Track | Race | Machine | Result |
| 1974 | Oran Park | Unlimited Improved Touring | Honda 750 | 5th – debut |
| 1975 | Bathurst | Unlimited Production | Kawasaki 900 | Bought down by G Pretty |
| Amaroo Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Kawasaki 900 | Eric Soetens – 3rd in class ‘C’ Grade |
|
| 1976 | Bathurst | Unlimited Production | Kawasaki 900 | 2nd |
| May | Provisional B Grade | |||
| Calder | Castrol 2 Hour | Kawasaki 900 | 2nd | |
| Amaroo Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Kawasaki 900 | Roger Heyes: Outright winner | |
| Jilliby | MotoX | Suzuki RM250 | Unlimited ‘C’ Grade – 6th | |
| Upgraded to B Grade | ||||
| 1977 | Virginia | Advertiser 3 Hour | Kawasaki 1000 | 10th – ran out of fuel |
| Bathurst | Unlimited Production | Kawasaki 900 | 1st | |
| Unlimited Improved Touring | Kawasaki 900 | 2nd | ||
| Calder | Castrol 2 Hour | Kawasaki 900 | 1st | |
| September | ‘A’ Grade | |||
| Amaroo Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Kawasaki 900 | Neil Chivas – 2nd outright | |
| 1978 | Bathurst | Unlimited Production | Suzuki GS1000 | DNF |
| Virginia | Advertiser 3 Hour | Suzuki GS1000 | DNF crashed | |
| Calder | Castrol 2 Hour | Suzuki GS1000 | 2nd | |
| Superbike | Kawasaki 1080 | 1st | ||
| Surfers Paradise | Unlimited Production | Suzuki GS1000 | 3rd – 3 bike collision | |
| Amaroo Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Yamaha 1100 | Roger Heyes – Outright | |
| 1979 | Amaroo Park | Unlimited Production | Honda 1000 | 2nd |
| Bathurst | Unlimited Production | Honda 1000 | 10th | |
| Arai 3 Hour | Kawasaki 1080 | 1st | ||
| Amaroo Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Yamaha 1100 | Greg Pretty – 2nd | |
| 1980 | Oran Park | Coca Cola 800 Endurance | Kawasaki 1000 | 8th – electrical fault |
| Virginia | Advertiser 3 Hour | Kawasaki Z1R | Gregg Hansford – 7th | |
| Bathurst | Arai 3 Hour | Kawasaki Z1R | Gregg Hansford – DNF | |
| Amaroo Park | Superbike Challenge | Kawasaki Z1R | 2nd | |
| Paul Ricard | Bol D’Or 24 Hour | Kawasaki Z1100SR | DNF – incorrect fuel | |
| Amaroo Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Kawasaki Z750 | 13th outright | 7th Class | |
| Surfers Paradise | Superbike Challenge | Kawasaki 1080 | 2nd | |
| 1987 | Oran Park | Castrol 6 Hour | Yamaha YZR 1000 | Simon Pinnington – DN |
1986 – Arai 500, Bathurst – Maasaaki Kawasaki 908, 11th, 77 laps
Fun Facts
| Name: | James Allen Budd |
| Nickname: | Several – Rosie, Buddy, JB |
| Born: | 08/10/50 |
| Died: | 28/07/01 |
| Lived: | Budgewoi, NSW Central Coast |
| Occupation: | Electrician, Sales Representative, Business Owner |
| Spouse: | Laynie |
| Children | Nil |
| Siblings | 2 brothers – one older (Harry), one young (Peter) |
| Hobbies: | Dirt bike riding, surfing, squash, snow ski-in, marathon running |
| Favourite car: | Ferrari 512BB |
| Favourite bike: | Kawasaki Z1B |
| Pet peeves: | Watching sports on TV because wanted to be playing not watching |
| Favourite pets: | Old English Sheepdogs |
| Personal heroes: | Jean Claude Killy, Ron Toombes, his father Harry |
| Dream job: | Auto electrician working for his father (but that was never to be) |
Jim Budd Motorcycle Racer 
Where is he buried?
He’s not. He was cremeated, and I scattered some of his ashes in different locations. His fav spots in the world.
Just surfing the web for old Aussie motorcycle racing stuff and came across this website. Well done Elyane for setting up a great tribute site for Jim. Lots of great times had with JB and others back in those halcyon days of the 70’s and early 80’s….and then having the opportunity to provide JB with some limited support by way of a casual job after he suffered his strokes. He never complained about his poor health in all of the chats we had during that time. Great guy!
Thanks Mick. There’s way more info to be added. He always appreciated your friendship and support. You helped restore his self pride at a time when he needeed it. He rarely complained to me about his ordeals. I felt so helpless. All I could do was watch, hold his hand, and wait. Approaching 10 years, he is missed deeply by many.
yeh jim was a true gentleman always softly spoken always a pleasure to speak to with a big smile and a great roadracer a real good looking fella as well all the best elaine kel
Thanks Kel. Jim was a gentle man, courteous, with a dry sense of humour. He loved people.
Very Cool Laynie, Jim sounded like a great man and Of caurse every great man has to have a great Woman Behind his effort’s…Do you think maybe our path’s might have crossed?…I met so many great people on my tour’s of Australia…Names and Places escape me…Thank you Laynie for shareing Jim’s achievement’s…He did Good, and you are continueing to do good, Best wishes to you, Phil
Thank you Phil
I first saw Jim at Surfers Paradise in 1976/77 when i was 17 and riding a Honda/4, a good group of friends rode up from the North Coast of NSW to most race meeting there and at Lakeside. Jim was riding the Phase 4 Kawa, painted bright yellow, the sound of that beast and the way Jim ride the bucking/sliding Kawa had me converted, i went straight out and bought one. It wasn’t long before i had the motor apart and off to Phase 4 for Barry Taylor to wave his magic, How did i survive? I don’t know. I would love a pic of Jim and that bike for the Shed wall, does anyone have one? I never met Jim but as a 18 year old i wanted to be Him. CHEERS Hopppa
Paul, thank you for you kind words and shared memories of JB. I will pass on your comments onto Barry Taylor, he would love to hear them also. Thank you.
Everyone has a bit of luck to help them either when they are starting out or ending their careers. I first met Jim as a motorcycle mechanic operating one of the first Hartzell bike dynos at Top Rider in Sydney. Jim brought the team Avon bike in to be jetted and tuned in the days before the 1976 Castrol Six Hour race. Whilst running the bike at 125mph under load on the dyno, a faulty glued tire spat several 300mm sections of the tread through my roof, without deflating. Avon replaced the 4.10×18 tyre from another batch and Jim and Rodger rode on to safely win this Australian great race. Jim was an ace and we spoke about fate when we met up years later when waterskiing together on Max Heaton’s boat FASRNU…Kind regards from Rick
Rick, What a wonderful story. That’s one the Jim never shared. Thank you for sharing it with me.
I arrived at this site from facebook after I saw the name Laynie Kelly-Budd as someone I might know. I figured you could be related to Jim. I didn’t know Jim well, but as a friend of Hilton Steel and of course I followed Jim’s racing career with great interest. He certainly was one of the most gifted riders I remember from that era.
I was looking through the photos of Jim and spotted the March 1976 shot from Oran Park. I believe that I took that shot and gave it to Jim at a later race meeting. Correct me if I am wrong, but it was a 10 x 8 inch black and white, taken from Sutton’s corner.
I was sad to hear from Hilton about Jim’s passing. Last time I saw Jim, it was at Black Sallees restaurant at Thredbo in the 1990s. I knew he was a skier as well as motorcycle racer, and was surprised to read that his heroes included Jean Claud Killy and Ron Toombs. They were also my sporting heroes. Of course I admired Jim very much as well, and still remember some incredible riding by Jim at Amaroo during those 6 hour races.
Greg, I added the name Budd to my Facebook profile as a way of linking myself to my late husband, Jim. I remember Hilton very well also. Oh wow, the photographer of one of his photos. You will have to point out which one so I can tag you accordingly in it. It’s almost 10 years since JB passed. Thank you for sharing.
Hi again Laynie, the photo is labelled 76 Mar C Grade Oran Park (in More Photos page 2) and shows Jim in front of Hilton on the back half of the short version of Oran Park, just heading towards Suttons corner. The photo shows Jim leading Hilton, then Chris Wise (obscured) and Max Heaton. Originally I was intending the photo for Hilton, but Jim appears much more dynamic in the shot (no offense to Hilton, who is still a friend).
as a young motorcycle mechanic in brisbane jim came up to ride my harris kawasaki in the swan series at surfers . i remember working with jim for 3 days setting up the bike and i learnt more in 3 days than 3 years with jim. he was calm cool and one hell of a nice bloke.
at the start line i was more nerves than jim was i was so proud to have him ride my bike.
he was my hero. i still have photoes of jim on the harris i can send them to you if you wish.
thank you jim budd. and laynie
Oh Mark. What a lovely story. That would have been JB. He would have sensed your nerves and focussed on keeping you calm instead. He was a professional, and a gentleman. Thank you for sharing. Let’s talk about the photos, okay?
Just spent 15 minute’s showing mate’s the site, Everybody loved it ! Thank’s keep it up.
What makes it special is the shared stories of JB. Thank you for the positive feedback Gregg.
Castrol six hour 1978 is on you tube see Jim at his best having said that very sad
Thanks Michael. I have a copy. I particularly watch the end of it when I get to hear JB speak again. It’s heartwarming to see and stories about JB. If only he knew. He simply was just having a good time riding motorcycles fast.
Was doing some reminiscing with a young guy who’s taking out my stepdaughter. He likes bikes. Have been talking about the real legends/heroes of bike racing in Oz.
One guy that I had immense respect for was Jim Budd.
I watched him at the 6 hour, the Coke 800, and other races. Legend. Fearless. Damned good.
While working at Hornsby Highway Patrol, I followed/chased a pair of hoons on big bores up Pennant Hills Rd. When I finally stopped them I realised I had pulled over Jim Budd and Neil Chivas. Gees, I felt like apologising.
All I could do was suggest better places to go for it. Handshakes and no tickets. When I started racing myself, and getting up to full B before running out of cash, I realised it was the best move I’d ever made.
Jim was a great guy. He was helpful, would offer advice, and on a personal level, is a guy I’ll never forget.
In the Yamaha 750 race at Oran Park, I actually passed him (briefly). He realised who’d passed him, pulled his finger out, re passed me and took off. I never caught him again. On the way past me, he gave me a wave, while drifting the bike. We had a chat, and a laugh about that one later.
I was absolutely shattered some years later to attend his funeral at Palmdale.
A part of me will never be the same again.
I met Elaine, in company with Jim, on more than a few occasions, and again, sadly, at his funeral.
Thank you Elaine, for this site, and for the chance to remember a great man, that I’ll never forget.
Amen (for although my beliefs are ‘different’, I think that word appropriate)
Eric Hindes
I recall an interview with Jim Budd from way back, when asked of his greatest embarrasment he apparently said “going out with Roger Heyes” LOl.
If friends or family read this understand that there is one more who greatly respected the man.
Hi Laynie
Just found this tribute to Jim by accident, beautifully written, I,ve had Jim on the Z900 Avon team bike as my profile pic on FB for a couple years now, i hope you dont mind…always admired him as a great talent on two wheels.
Cheers
Craig Miller
Thank you Craig. Nice words that honour Jim. Together we keep his memory alive.
Jim Budd was a legend. A friend. As a cop, in highway patrol, he created the odd problem, lol. Knew him personally. Myself, As a full B grade rider, was full of helpful advice. Hey, in the Yamaha 750 at Oran Park, I actually felt guilty, passing him. Talking later, he decided, to pull the pin. And yes, he aced me. We laughed about this later..
Jim Budd, was one of Australia’s legends in Motorsport. Who could ever forget, the wall of death, at Amaroo Park, Castrol 6 hr.
In later life, sadly suffered.
R.I.P. Jim Budd. Coal mine electrician, and legend.
Only good memories of you, mate.
Eric
Left a comment on the Z1 Facebook page remembering the Amaroo Park win in1976 where” doing a Jimmy Budd” has entered the Australian vernacular, when he high sided then cranked it off the bank and went on to win.Do we have footage of the race and Jimmy’s skill.? Love to quote to young riders” could you do a Jimmy Budd?”
Blank looks but they have to chase it up and could you do that???