Giacomo Agostini 1967 he battled Hailwood in one of the most dramatic seasons in Grand Prix history. Each rider had 5 victories before the championship was decided in Agostini's favor at the last race of the season. Agostini dropped a bombshell on the Grand Prix world when he announced he would never again race at the Isle of Man TT, after the death of his close friend, Gilberto Parlotti during the 1972 TT. He considered the 37 mile circuit unsafe for world championship competition. At the time, the TT was the most prestigious race on the motorcycling calendar. Other top riders joined
Honda RC181 Honda RC181 The Honda RC181 was a road racing motorcycle built by Honda which raced in the 500cc class of Grand Prix motorcycle racing in the 1966 and 1967 seasons. The bike debuted in 1966 and won five out of nine races that season, three with Mike Hailwood and two with Jim Redman. Hailwood finished second in the championship standings behind Giacomo Agostini on a MV Agusta. The Honda however won the constructor championship. The next season Hailwood finished again second in the championship having the same amount of points as the winner Agostini. At the end of the 1967