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+--- Thread: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. (/showthread.php?tid=21821)
Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - Malcolm - 23-03-2016
![[Image: hailwoodonbike4.jpg]](http://www.ttwebsite.com/gifs/hailwoodonbike4.jpg)
March 23: Famed British motorcycle racer Mike "Mike the Bike" Hailwood was killed after a collision with a truck on this day in 1981.
The Grand Prix racer, 40, had left his house with his two children Michelle and David to buy fish and chips. On their way home a truck collided with the car, killing nine-year-old Michelle instantly. David survived but two days later Mike died in hospital due to internal injuries. The truck driver was fined £100.
Hailwood, born in Great Milton in Oxfordshire, first raced at the age of 17 in 1957. He was Grand Prix motorcycle champion nine times in the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc categories and won the Isle of Man TT competition 12 ?? (14) times on the island mountain course.
His talent as a racer found him fame and medals, but it was his daring act of bravery which won him the highest honour of all.
During his time as a car racer - which was not as successful as his career on bikes - he pulled fellow driver Clay Regazzoni from his burning car after the pair crashed into each other on the second lap of the 1973 South African Grand Prix.
On approaching the fiery wreckage his driving suit caught fire but after it was extinguished Hailwood went back to pull Regazzoni from the burning car. He was awarded the George Medal, the second highest civil decoration in the UK.
Hailwood, born in Great Milton in Oxfordshire, first raced at the age of 17 in 1957. He was Grand Prix motorcycle champion nine times in the 250cc, 350cc and 500cc categories and won the Isle of Man TT competition 12 ?? (14) times on the island mountain course.
His talent as a racer found him fame and medals, but it was his daring act of bravery which won him the highest honour of all.
During his time as a car racer - which was not as successful as his career on bikes - he pulled fellow driver Clay Regazzoni from his burning car after the pair crashed into each other on the second lap of the 1973 South African Grand Prix.
On approaching the fiery wreckage his driving suit caught fire but after it was extinguished Hailwood went back to pull Regazzoni from the burning car. He was awarded the George Medal, the second highest civil decoration in the UK.
Text Extract from Internet Item by Rebecca Lewis
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - DBD 34 - 23-03-2016
Top journalism that is, "isle of Man TT competition" it's hardly a competition, plus she got the wrong number of wins, as we all know Mike the Bike won 14 TTs.
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - bsa499 - 23-03-2016
What a timely reminder of, in my opinion, the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. That idiotic truck driver was responsible for a dreadful and totally unnecessary waste of life.
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - DBD 34 - 23-03-2016
Agreed, I place Mike Hailwood at No. 1, best ever.
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - Splashdown - 24-03-2016
Simply the best, and never forgotten.
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - STEVEVTR - 24-03-2016
Yes the real GOAT, SADLY MISSED.
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - Revvin rich - 24-03-2016
top all round road racer of all time, roads ,short circuit and grand prix it did,nt t matter to him he could win on anything and four classes in one day proberly the best ever.
RE: Remembering Mike 'Mike the Bike' Hailwood. - Moderator2 - 24-03-2016
One of those moments when you always remember exactly where you was when you heard the news.
I was on my way to ride at a Newmarket Club meeting at Snetterton, about 100 yards from Sutton Bridge the 7am news came on the radio in the van, it had happened the previous evening, he was reported as critical at that point, we were shell shocked.