Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood aka Mike Hailwood. A GP rider from Britain who won many hearts by his acts. Born at Oxfordshire in Langsmeade House. Being son of a father who also raced in an era before World War II, he was closely associated with bikes since early days of his childhood. Not to forget that his dad was a successful motorcycle dealer. People gave him the nickname “Mike the Bike” because of his natural riding ability. He not only raced motorcycles but he put on a great show in car racing too.
At the age of 10 he witnessed his first race with his father. Racing for the first time on 22nd April 1957 finishing in 11th place at the age of 17. In 1961 with Honda, he became the first man in the History of Isle of Man TT to win three races in a week. 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories. After that he signed with MV Augusta. Soon after that he won four consecutive world championships in 500cc category. Coming from a prosperous background he lived a popular and rich lifestyle. He was the highest paid rider even before his move to Honda from MV Augusta in 1966.
After Hailwood’s success with MV Augusta he went back to Honda. This proved to be a good move for him as he won four more world titles in 1966 and 1967 in 250cc and 350cc categories. Hailwood tasted a great success at Isle Of Man TT. He had won 12 times in Isle of Man Mountain course by 1967. In the most dramatic race as many consider, he won against his greatest rival Giacomo Agostini setting a lap record which stood tall for 8 years.
In 1968 Honda pulled out of Grand Prix racing. However, they paid hefty amount to Hailwood for not riding for another teams in the Grand Prix racing, keeping him their rider upon their return. Hailwood continued to ride in selected races without World Championship status. He appeared in selected UK events and appeared in a post-TT race at Mallor Park on a Honda.
After a while Hailwood started competing in car races. He never achieved the level of success he achieved in motorcycle racing but he was fairly competitive. He participated in 50 Formula-1 races, achieving two podium finishes and scoring 29 world championship points. Hailwood was a brave man and that was highlighted by his act at the 1973 South African Grand Prix. In a race he collided with Clay Regazzoni and his car caught fire, trapping Regazzoni inside the car. Hailwood tried to rescue him but only ended up with his suit catching fire. When the marshals extinguished the fire he again went in, but this time successfully pulling Regazzoni out of the car. He left Formula 1 after being badly injured in 1974 German GP in Nürburgring. And retired at New Zealand
3rd June 1978 was a good day for Hailwood Fans as he came back to Isle of Man TT after an 11 years of huge gap. Few believed that he will be competitive despite his huge gap. He not only showed his competence but he went on to win that race. He continued racing till the next year and retired for good at the age of 39.
Mike Hailwood met with a tragic fate on Saturday 21st March 1981. He and his kids were going to pick up some fish and chips in their car. When they were returning, near their home a truck made an illegal turn resulting in Hailwood’s car colliding with the truck. His son David was lucky to survive but others were not. His daughter Michelle, 9, died on spot and Hailwood two days later in a hospital from several internal injuries.
That day motorsport lost one of its gems. A true racer at heart who would do wonders on anything that was on wheels, Car or Bike. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame in 2000 and International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2001. In 1981 a part of Isle of Man TT course was named Hailwood’s Height.The person who has mastered a bike and a car is not easy to find and people at BikesIndia pay homage to “Mike the Bike” with this article, believing that he is at a better place.
By: Rituraj Sambherao
At the age of 10 he witnessed his first race with his father. Racing for the first time on 22nd April 1957 finishing in 11th place at the age of 17. In 1961 with Honda, he became the first man in the History of Isle of Man TT to win three races in a week. 125cc, 250cc and 500cc categories. After that he signed with MV Augusta. Soon after that he won four consecutive world championships in 500cc category. Coming from a prosperous background he lived a popular and rich lifestyle. He was the highest paid rider even before his move to Honda from MV Augusta in 1966.After Hailwood’s success with MV Augusta he went back to Honda. This proved to be a good move for him as he won four more world titles in 1966 and 1967 in 250cc and 350cc categories. Hailwood tasted a great success at Isle Of Man TT. He had won 12 times in Isle of Man Mountain course by 1967. In the most dramatic race as many consider, he won against his greatest rival Giacomo Agostini setting a lap record which stood tall for 8 years.
In 1968 Honda pulled out of Grand Prix racing. However, they paid hefty amount to Hailwood for not riding for another teams in the Grand Prix racing, keeping him their rider upon their return. Hailwood continued to ride in selected races without World Championship status. He appeared in selected UK events and appeared in a post-TT race at Mallor Park on a Honda.After a while Hailwood started competing in car races. He never achieved the level of success he achieved in motorcycle racing but he was fairly competitive. He participated in 50 Formula-1 races, achieving two podium finishes and scoring 29 world championship points. Hailwood was a brave man and that was highlighted by his act at the 1973 South African Grand Prix. In a race he collided with Clay Regazzoni and his car caught fire, trapping Regazzoni inside the car. Hailwood tried to rescue him but only ended up with his suit catching fire. When the marshals extinguished the fire he again went in, but this time successfully pulling Regazzoni out of the car. He left Formula 1 after being badly injured in 1974 German GP in Nürburgring. And retired at New Zealand
3rd June 1978 was a good day for Hailwood Fans as he came back to Isle of Man TT after an 11 years of huge gap. Few believed that he will be competitive despite his huge gap. He not only showed his competence but he went on to win that race. He continued racing till the next year and retired for good at the age of 39.Mike Hailwood met with a tragic fate on Saturday 21st March 1981. He and his kids were going to pick up some fish and chips in their car. When they were returning, near their home a truck made an illegal turn resulting in Hailwood’s car colliding with the truck. His son David was lucky to survive but others were not. His daughter Michelle, 9, died on spot and Hailwood two days later in a hospital from several internal injuries.
That day motorsport lost one of its gems. A true racer at heart who would do wonders on anything that was on wheels, Car or Bike. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall Of Fame in 2000 and International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2001. In 1981 a part of Isle of Man TT course was named Hailwood’s Height.The person who has mastered a bike and a car is not easy to find and people at BikesIndia pay homage to “Mike the Bike” with this article, believing that he is at a better place.
By: Rituraj Sambherao