Motorcycle Racer Santiago Herrero
Ossa Works Rider Killed at the 1970 Isle of Man TT
Santiago Herrero’s 250cc World Championship career amounted to just 17 Grand Prix starts, but the young Spaniard won almost a quarter of those races. After narrowly missing out on the title in 1969 Herrero was again a contender the following season, until a fatal crash at the Isle of Man TT.
Santiago Herrero’s Racing Career
Herrero was born in Madrid during World War II, on May 9th, 1943. As a child he was fascinated by speed and owned a motorcycle before he was old enough to have a racing license. After obtaining his license Herrero started competing in the early 1960s, riding Derbi and Bultaco machines.
Herrero found himself a works ride with the Lube team. He had a strong year in 1964, finishing third overall in the Spanish 125cc championship. Herrero stayed with Lube in 1965, ending the season second overall in the same series.
Following Lube’s withdrawal Herrero was forced to revert to privateer status, before an opportunity arose to race and develop Ossa’s ground breaking 250cc monocoque bike. The new partnership quickly tasted success on a national level, going on to win multiple Spanish 250cc titles.
Santiago Herrero and Ossa
1968 saw Herrero make his World Championship debut for Ossa. Although not a race winner he did manage a third place finish at Monza. The 1969 Grand Prix season opened in Spain, and Herrero scored his maiden World Championship victory in his home race at Jarama. Two more wins followed, at Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, giving him the lead in the title chase.
In a wet Ulster Grand Prix Herrero crashed out, breaking an arm in the process. Eager not to relinquish his place at the head of the World Championship standings he was back in action at Imola, riding courageously to fifth place.
Herrero arrived at the final race of the season in Yugoslavia with a one point lead in the World Championship. It was not be his day, however, as he fell off and ended the year third overall.
Herrero’s Fatal Isle of Man TT Crash
The 1970 Yugoslavian Grand Prix was a far happier occasion for Herrero, as he won the race. From there the Grand Prix season moved to the Isle of Man, for the annual Tourist Trophy races. In the 250cc Lightweight TT Herrero suffered an early setback when he crashed. He managed to get going again, and was soon in contention with the leaders.
On the final lap of the race Herrero was lying in third position, on a blisteringly hot day. At the 13th milestone he lost control of the number 10 Ossa on a left hand bend and fell heavily. Stanley Wood, following closely behind, also crashed trying to avoid Herrero, receiving multiple injuries.While Wood’s injuries were not life threatening, Herrero’s unfortunately were. He passed away two days later in hospital aged 28.
Herrero’s brief World Championship career confirmed him as one of Spain’s greatest ever motorcycle racers. In addition to racing he was also an entrepreneur, owning a bar and an amusement arcade in Bilbao amongst other ventures. The Ossa team also benefited from his superb mechanical knowledge of racing motorcycles. The marque was devastated by the loss of its star rider and never truly recovered.
Santiago Herrero, 1943 - 1970
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Ossa rider Santiago Herrero, 1970 TT
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