Keith Campbell (motorcyclist)

Keith Ronald Campbell (2 October 1931 – 13 July 1958) was an Australian professional motorcycle road racer. He competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1950 to 1958.^[1]

NationalityAustralian

Born(1931-10-02)2 October 1931
Melbourne, Australia

Died13 July 1958(1958-07-13) (aged 26)
Cadours, France

Active years1950 – 1958

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Keith Campbell
Nationality	Australian
Born	(1931-10-02)2 October 1931 Melbourne, Australia
Died	13 July 1958(1958-07-13) (aged 26) Cadours, France
Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1950 – 1958 First race 1950 250cc Ulster Grand Prix Last race 1958 350cc Belgian Grand Prix First win 1957 350cc Dutch TT Last win 1957 350cc Ulster Grand Prix Team Moto Guzzi Championships 350cc – 1957 Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 11 3 8 0 2 53

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Campbell grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran with the ambition to be a champion racing motorcyclist. He became Australia's first motorcycling road racing world champion when he won the 1957 FIM 350cc world championship as a member of the Moto Guzzi factory racing team.^[1][2]

Campbell married Geraldine, the sister-in-law of Britain's championship rider Geoff Duke and came back to Australia on his honeymoon in December 1957. He returned to Europe as the star rider at the 500cc Grand Prix de Cadours near Toulouse in France. According to a newspaper report, in trials he had beaten all records for the circuit, lapping at 71.5 miles an hour.^[3] He was leading the race when he failed to round a bend known as Cox's Corner, crashed and was killed instantly.^[2][4] His cause of death was said to be a fractured skull. This same corner claimed the life of Frenchman Raymond Sommer in 1950 and the circuit is named in his honour. Campbell's wife Geraldine was watching the race from the pits but did not see the accident.