Backstory
Welcome to the tribute site for Harry Budd and his son, Jim Budd. Harry passed his love of racing onto Jim, but it is doubtful that he would have approved of Jim being on a motorcycle. No doubt though that he would have been proud of Jim’s achievements.
Allow me to introduce myself, I’m Laynie – the widow of Jim. Some may know me as Elayne – the younger sister of Terry & Neil Kelly from Queensland, or the Secretary for Motorcycle Sportsmen of Qld club in the 1980’s.
I talked about developing a tribute site for both Jim and Harry for sometime, but couldn’t find the right way to produce an ongoing tribute. Well, I have now, and here it is. The purpose of this blog site, is to be an ongoing information portal and tribute to not only Jim but also his father Harry.
Sadly, not enough is known about Harry as he passed away when Jim was only 15 years old. Harry had such an impact on his young impressionable son though. Harry was a car racing driver, and involved himself in as much as he could, from official duties to driving.
Their story lives on in the hearts of the few who remember. If you have any information, photographs, or even a memory that you would like to contribute to their stories, please contact me. I’d love to know.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to my COWOM (Council of Wise Old Men) who have assisted me with information for a little while:
- Phil Hitchcock – Road and Race
- Bob Johnson
- Don Cox
- Barry Taylor – ex Phase 4 Engineering
- Hal Maloney – Redex Trial reunion
Jim Budd Motorcycle Racer 
Hi Laynie,
Wow, a great effort for Jim and his dad.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’m so excited about this project … I’ve got some wonderful pics and stories following very soon. I look forward to talking with you soon. ps – pass on the link 🙂
NOW…Jim can live on. I look forward to adding a few stories and also hearing of other’s great stories on this great Australian racer.
Yes he can, although he lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him!
Laynie, as well as watching Jim race I also remember watching Terry race when he came to Sydney. If I recall correctly, his nickname was “Tortoise”. Is that correct? And he mostly rode a Ducati, I think (memory is getting a bit dim) and his racing number was 08. How did I do.
Thanks for creating this site. I knew Jim and admired him greatly. I might also direct your attention to my memorial web site for Kenny Blake, a guy against whom Jim and Terry would have raced often.
http://www.kennyblake.com.au
Terry is my big brother – or should that be eldest brother? He owns TK Pipes that makes custom exhaust pipes for motorbikes, especially dirt bikes as his designs really do increase performance. Tortoise got his nickname because he was very quick in the wet. Uncanny ability in the rain. He mainly rode TZ350s, but did co-ride with good friend John Warrian in the 1978 6 Hour on a Ducati. I remember John had to stick a little note on the bike to remind Terry of the gear pattern. The ’78 6 hour was my first trip to Sydney by plane … to see my two brothers race in the 6 hour. My other brother who raced bikes was Neil. He rode with Peter Walker that year.
Hi Laynie, I remember Jim very well as I raced against him numerous times during the 70’s. In the ‘celluoid heriocs’ there is a photo of Jim leading me (Kawasaki No 70) in a super bike race at Oran Park around 1975/76. Roy Dennison won that day.
Jim always had a smile on his face, raced hard and seemed to love life. All of us at BWPMCC enjoyed his company and I consider myself very fortunate to have raced against him. He is surely missed.
Regards Maurie T.
Hi Laynie
I have put a comment here about Jim sometime ago ( I,m not sure if you remember my name ) but I said I had a photo of him riding the winning Avon bike ( Z1 ) as my FB profile picture in honour of him…I recently seen a pic of Jim & Roger Heyes standing together in their Avon leathers after a race possibly the 70,s 6 hour win together ….they look so young & vibrant back then like they could take on the world….so much so I’d like to make a A3 copy and frame it to put on my office wall in honour of not just Jim but the both of them to remember the good times watching them when I was in my late teens so long ago….just a idea what do you think ?