By Not many racers have gained such a following quite like 1961 350cc World Championship runner-up Frantisek Stastny.
A TT Races newcomer in 1957, he’s forever associated with his home nation’s most acclaimed two wheel marque, Jawa.
Gradually gaining in confidence around the fabled, mythical Mountain Course, five years after his event debut he joined the TT podium finishers circle, placing third best Junior class exponent.
One year later and Stastny scored another rostrum finish, taking third ahead of esteemed racers such as Derek Woodman, Paddy Driver, Alberto Pagani, Billy McCosh and Billy Nelson.
Photo by Martin Dasek
Whilst the remainder of his TT career didn’t see him add to his podiums collection, he remains the Czech Republic’s last top three finisher at the world’s most historic, prestigious, famous pure road race.
Overall Stastny’s TT CV alongside the aforementioned podiums, also includes no less than 8 top eight finishes.
I’d be remiss not to mention as well some of his other roads exploits which include an Ulster Grand Prix victory, 55 plus victories at national Czech meetings and rostrums at Opatija, Imatranajo and the Tampere Circuit.
Words by Stevie Rial
