An entertaining, historically significant record of motorcycle racing. In Birth of the Grand Prix, we trace the 40-year history of world championship motorcycle racing. Norton, Gilera, Guzzi, MV Agusta, BMW, AJS and others are featured during the glorious Fifties. Then two-strokes arrived on the scene and the sights and sounds at the GP circuits of the world changed. The Japanese arrival features early Japanese appearances in Europe such as Mike Hailwood’s 250cc Honda-Six, the 125 and 250 V4 Yamahas ridden by Ivy and Read and more racing marvels. The post-war growth of the Japanese motorcycle industry and their eventual domination of the road racing scene is outlined.