Permanent indelible class, form, courage and speed ... thanks Malcolm.

Didn’t get to my my first TT until 92. As Joey’s biggest fan, I have to say Mike the Bike will always be Mr TT. Wish I was old enough to have a proper recollection of 78/79 - makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up even thinking about it. More importantly, by all accounts a wonderful person whose family have carried his legacy with dignity all these years.

I was lucky enough to see Mike Hailwood in action both on the TT Course and on the short circuits. He could win on anything, Manx Nortons, G50's, 7Rs, MV Agustas, Hondas, Ducatis, Suzukis, MZs etc etc. He was indeed the son of a wealthy man who provided him with the finest equipment at the start of his career but the point was he could do the machinery justice. Top class motorcycle racing was highly  visible to 'the masses' in the fairly recent past as the riders were free to race almost anywhere and Hailwood was a regular competitor at many UK tracks. He was an amazingly talented and charismatic man and a sportsman in the true sense of the word. His and his daughter's deaths were a tragedy to both his family and the motorcycle racing world. Others may have been more successful in some of the various competitions in which he competed, but I think it's true to say that no-one has been as successful in all  the competitions in which he competed. He is still missed.

I too am lucky enough to have seen him from the early 60's on short circuits and at the TT from 1967. Absolute gentleman and such a talented rider.
I also remember when he opened his shop in Birmingham with Rod Gould, I bought a second hand CX500 off them. He was so helpful and approachable.
Great memories

I was lucky enough to see his comeback years in the Island and I have never seen such beautifully controlled and stylish riding, especially rounding the Creg. I was spectating on the inside for practice when he was flying down from Kate's, I thought there's no way he will get round at that speed, he was of course, on the only perfect line and it was magic to behold. I also saw him race the Matchbox TS10 Surtees at Thruxton. Great memories. To answer your question he would have been wise enough to retire at the appropriate time.

If you haven't seen it before, this shows just how great he was. Note the lack of "knee out" cornering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LnNP7mw7XY

That was a good watch.

My first TT was 79, consider myself very fortunate to have seen Mike in his last TT.

I saw him many times son of a millionaire and play boy as well and boy could he ride a bike it just came naturally to him he would ride 4 different classes on the same day and a good chance he would win the lot a far cry from today's gp riders who just concentrate on one class don't get me wrong today's are super human and fearless and I wish I could ride a bike like them but I do miss the old ones I suppose it's a sign of old age oh well back to the gardening.

Saw him in 1979 from the outside of the 32nd mile stone 3 corner swoop. He was on a rg 500 suzuki and looked rock solid.




 kilbil