Mike “The Bike” Hailwood

Introduction:
Early Years:
Mike Hailwood was born at Langsmeade House, Great Milton in Oxfordshire, the only son and elder child of Stanley William Bailey Hailwood, a millionaire businessman and managing director of a motorcar sales company as well as successful motorcycle dealer.
Hailwood had a very comfortable upbringing, he learned to ride at a young age on a minibike as a small boy in a field near his home.
He was educated at Purton Stoke Preparatory School, Kintbury and Pangbourne Nautical College where he wore a RN cadet uniform, but left early and worked for a short time in the family business before his father sent him to work at Triumph motorcycles.
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Main:
Mike Hailwood competed in the Grand Prix motorcycle world championships from 1958 to 1967 and in Formula One between 1963 and 1974.
Hailwood was known as "Mike The Bike" because of his natural riding ability on motorcycles with a range of engine capacities.
A nine-times world champion, Hailwood won 76 Grand Prix races during his motorcycle racing career, including 14 Isle of Man TT victories and four consecutive 500 cc world championships.
After his motorcycle racing career concluded, he went on to compete in Formula One and other classes of car racing, becoming one of the few men to compete at Grand Prix level in both motorcycle and car racing.
He returned to motorcycle racing at the age of 38, taking victory at the 1978 Isle of Man TT.
Personal life:
Coming from a prosperous background, during his early career Hailwood had enjoyed a privileged lifestyle and in 1966 was the world's highest-paid motorcycle rider, earning then £50,000, about £700,000 in today’s money.
He lived a playboy lifestyle as a jet-setter covering 30,000 road miles and 160,000 air miles in a year travelling to circuits around the world whilst based in his bachelor-flat at Heston, West London, where he kept his high-powered sports cars.
He had two children, a daughter Michelle in 1971 and a son David. He married their mother, model Pauline, on 11 June 1975.
Pauline Hailwood died in June 2020 following an illness.
Car Racing Career:
During his car racing career, Hailwood raced in Formula One and World Sports Cars, but never achieved the same level of success that he had found on motorcycles.
He participated in 50 Formula One Grands Prix, starting with an early phase between 1963-1965.
Hailwood was recognised for his bravery when in the 1973 South African Grand Prix he went to pull Clay Regazzoni from his burning car after the two collided on the third lap of the race.
Hailwood's driving suit caught fire, but after being extinguished by a fire marshal he returned to help rescue Regazzoni, an act for which he was awarded the George Medal by the Queen, the second-highest gallantry award that a British civilian can be awarded.
Here is some video footage of Mike Hailwood who actually caught fire himself dragging Regazzoni out of his burning formula 1 car
MBE:
Mike was also awarded an M.B.E which is ultimately sanctioned by the Queen. Which stands for a Member of the Order of the British Empire for his outstanding achievements and services in Motorcycle racing
Death:
Following his retirement from motor sport, in late 1979 Hailwood established a Honda-based retail motorcycle dealership in Birmingham named Hailwood and Gould, in partnership with former motorcycle racer Rodney Gould.
On Saturday, March 21st, 1981, Mike Hailwood was driving his Rover SD1 Car along the A435 Alcester Road, near Portway, Warwickshire and he was involved in a collision with a flat-bed lorry, that had made an illegal U turn on a road where foggy conditions prevailed. Michelle his 9 year old daughter was killed instantly in the collision.
They had just bought some fish and chips for supper on that fateful night. Mike died 2 days later from severe internal injuries.
Mike died two days later from severe internal injuries on Monday, March 23rd 1981, after Doctors spent 2 days trying desperately to save his life.
He was only 40 years old. He died just one week before his 41st birthday. His son David was also in the car, was taken to hospital and made a full recovery after sustaining minor injuries.
The lorry driver was fined £100.
Prophecy:
Hailwood claimed to have been told by a fortune teller in South Africa that he would not live to 40 and would be killed by a truck.
Pallbearers at his funeral:
Pallbearers at Mike’s Funeral included James Hunt, John Surtees, and Giacomo Agostini - friends and fellow racers.
Burial:
Mike is buried in the Churchyard of St Mary Magdalene in the Village of Tanworth In Arden, Warwickshire.

[@GrrMeister]

*I well remember the Race of the Year at Mallory Park September 1964, and long after the race had finished and the crowds had gone, asking a Marshall if I could drive my car (Citroen DS19) around the circuit, he said better ask Mike (Hailwood) and directed me to him. I asked Mike, who I had briefly met a number of times before, and he said of course you can, and told the Marshall to let me through the top gate (Near Hairpin) - He said come back after we are having a bit of a Party with Chris Barber later. Did two/three laps and then went back. Mike appeared genuinely pleased to see me again and asked how I got on. Had a good laugh together as we found had a lot of common interests (3 years older than me and born on the same date 2nd April) and had been to the Belgian Grand Prix the previous year in my Morris Minor 1000. Stayed until late with many of the riders and "Chris Barber & his Jazzmen" playing. Imagine that today, the pits were open and you didn't need a fancy pass to get in. I was very keen on Jazz Bands, and in fact had an Acker Bilk Beard at the time, and was often mistaken for him ! (Maybe Mike thought I was "Acker") Still got the Program Price 2/6p and signed by many riders then including Phil Read, Jim Redman, Mike Duff, Bill Ivy etc Incidentally Mike Won the race on the MV Agusta and was £1000 richer. Huge amount in those days. So no wonder he was happy. He held the 350cc Lap Record from 62-64 at 84.93 mph and the 500cc Lap record at 53 seconds 91.70 mph in 1962*

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

What a great story..thank you for sharing..Every story I hear about Mike..is that he was the very personification and embodiment of a real gentleman..it is so sad he died so young and tragically like he did with his daughter..I hope you enjoyed my tribute.. I spent a whole day recording the visual footage driving to and fro...please Like, Subscribe and Comment on my video if you did ? Thank u 💓

[@josecarlospoggian149]

Our Hero still alive in our hearts! From Brazil !

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Yes.. Mike was very talented 👏

[@georgejarman2987]

My absolute hero. Could ride any bike of different capacity & numerous cylinders and WIN. A motorcycle genius and very humble person. Plus brave to the point of foolhardy. Therefore none braver

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

He was a very special human being...and it is heartbreakingly sad how he lost his life...along with his beautiful young daughter...and strangely ironic considering all the risks he took as an exceptional motorcycle rider and Formula 1 driver..a real one off..R.I.P. Mike and Michelle xx

[@josecarlospoggian149]

The truly nice guy, a genuine Gentleman one of those best sportsman of all time, Michael B. Hailwood Unforgettable!!!! Still live in our hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Yes he was a genius...but also kept his humility

[@AuxesisHyperbole666]

Steve McQueen didn't jump the fence in The Great Escape, that was his friend and race bike prepper (and LA Triumph dealer) Bud Ekins acting as stunt double.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you for your clarity...Steve McQueen was the "King of Cool"

[@routmaster38]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 Steve was a capable moto cross rider but his insurers wouldnt allow too much risk for that stunt.See him in "On Any Sunday"!

[@eskertoo]

Legend has it that Steve made the jump himself after filming had ended.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@eskertoo wow...interesting story...Steve McQueen was super cool 😎

[@enricocardinali9524]

RIP Mike con la tua bambina. Hailwood è stato il più grande motociclista di tutti i tempi❤

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Yes he was

[@mikecartlidge5355]

As a very young boy I have recollections of watching Grandstand on a Saturday afternoon on tv and seeing Mike Hailwood winning the race at Goodwood, from that day forward I followed Mike's career. In 1978 Mike's riding skills were proven beyond doubt when after many years away from motorcycle racing he returned to the Ilse Of Man TT races to win on the Sports Motorcycles Ducati twin. In the words from a John Lennon song, life is what happen''s while you're busy making other plans, RIP Mike, you will never be forgotten.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

A real special man...naturally gifted..to die in such an 'ordinary' way is so tragic too !

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Really Interesting comments from you...Thank you for your feedback 😀

[@mikecartlidge5355]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 to anyone interested Duke Video do two great dvd's about Mike Hailwood, the champions series Mike Hailwood telling his life story and a dvd entitled One Day In June, the story of Mikes return to the IOM TT Races after a decade away and his win on the Sports Motorcycles Ducati.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@mikecartlidge5355 thank you..Will check this out

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@mikecartlidge5355 please check this out everyone

[@johnpage4581]

EXCELLENT VIDEO THANK YOU.WATCHED MIKE MANY TIMES,AS A CLUB RACER COULD NOT BELIEVE JUST HOW GOOD MIKE WAS.RIP MIKE & MICHELLE.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you...Mike was a true legend absolutely heartbreakingly sad how he died along with his young daughter Michelle 😢

[@l0ner1der]

Amazing video, thank you. My 83 year old Dad, a big Mike the Bike fan, loved this 👍

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Cheers dude..thanks alot..I spent alot of time on this video... travelling and creating....I wanted to give Mike Justice..really appreciate your kind words 🙏

[@johnbellamy6449]

Mike was my hero. I met him in person once and we spoke briefly.He was at the motorcycle shop Hailwood and Gould near Spaghetti Junction that they ran. I was in awe of my hero. My wife was with me .I am now 73 and my wife is 71 and we are very lucky to still be riding together around country lanes. It was so sad the way it happened to Mike and his lovely daughter . I met his son at Cadwell Park a few years back also , a true gent just like his dad. god bless them all. We didnt know that Mikes wife Pauline had died but was in 2020 it seems.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

That is such a fascinating story....people recount alot how decent..humble...and clearly very special he was....thank you for sharing your amazing story...it broke my heart when I read how Mike and poor Michelle died

[@johnnybeer3770]

The man nearest the camera , carrying the coffin was motor cycle legend Geoff Duke . Watched Mike in the I.O.M. in ' 67 he really was unbelievable .

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Wow...Great story..thank you for sharing 👏

[@frankmlchaelglasscock6539]

What a legend RIP

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

For sure

[@MyTroubadour]

Un bel hommage à Mike, la Légende des légendes du sport moto.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you for your kind words 🙏

[@MyTroubadour]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 Merci à vous pour cette mise en ligne.

[@kenh3344]

A very talented man who along with his daughter lost there lives because of a lorry driver. A very tragic accident and end to a legend. Just going for fish and chips. Yes a tragic event. To our hero mike the bike. He will be sadly missed.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

An incredible one off and a heartbreakingly sad end....unbelievable 😔

[@heatherprior2240]

A friend of mine, knew a mber of the fire brigade, who attended Mike's fatal crash. He told him that when at the time, none of them knew who he was...my friend also visited Mike's grave, very sad that such a great racer was taken from us, when he was just 41 years old .

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@heatherprior2240 wow that's fascinating ..Thanks Heather...I was really keen to find the actual crash site o the A435 and Mike's former house on Broad Lane but alas could not...a really sad Story...Mike was clearly loved and admired

[@heatherprior2240]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 He certainly was. I think the accident happened on the other side of the road, heading towards Redditch...Mike lived in Tamworth in arden, which is on the opposite side of the carriageway.... My fave bike ever is the screaming rc166 that Mike thrashed around the circuits of the world.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@heatherprior2240 yeah...I know he lived on Broad Lane. .Nick Drake also buried in the sane churchyard and from the Village

[@DL-ls5sy]

Un grand champion et un vrai gentleman. pas comme Phil Read.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Yes

[@alanburton2689]

Very nice tribute to Mike a great racer and a down to earth person may Mike his wife and daughter RIP

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you Alan...I spent alot of time on this video...As Mike really was a very special person.. I wanted to do both Mike and Michelle justice....people seem to like the video...I never thought it would take off as it has...I am so glad you enjoyed the vudeo...thank you for your kind words and watching

[@alanburton2689]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 Thanks for your reply johnno I got friendly with Phil read another world champion we have just lost it’s that these legends from 60s and 70s are leaving us but leaving memories for us all who enjoy motor sport Thankyou again great video Alan Burton

[@cemeteryvisits]

Excellent, excellent tribute video to a great racing champion. May he and his daughter and his wife Rest In Peace. He lived a short but interesting life. Thanks Johno excellent as always ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️🏁

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thanks for watching and your kind words Jim

[@georgecunningham7916]

I'm pretty sure he was 10 times world champion. People forget he won the formula f1 on the isle of man which was a one of race but a world championship

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you for your additional information 🙏 😊

[@routmaster38]

I was very lucky to have been on the IOM in 78/9 to see Mikes fantastic come back!

[@Coltnz1]

Yep. I was there too.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Mike was absolute gentleman and motorcycling legend 👏

[@hellograves]

Beautiful video Johno loved all the photos and music in the beginning ❤️ Also loved all the video clips and locations....you put a lot of work in!! Such a sad and tragic story way too young 💔 RIP Mike and Michelle Hailwood 😢 Love the headstone and mementos 😊

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

His poor daughter...just 9 years old...Thanks as always GT. .Mike Hailwood was truly one of the greats

[@yorkiegilly4355]

When me & my older brother first started going to the Isle of Man it was all about Mike Hailwood who in those days was a superstar like many singers & entertainers .We first went on "our kids" 61 Triumph bathtub thunderbird that he bought brand new ,so we knew it would get us there and back ?. As my slightly grotty old Speedtwin probably wouldn"t . I think 1967 was the best year and best time for us ,but will always remember the time we had ,the great people we met and remember it was also "the summer of love " great times ,never to return ?. I think most people who saw Mike race or better still met him will also remember .

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you for your interesting account and watching..Mike was truly the embodiment of 'Man and Machine' in perfect harmony..A heartbreakingly sad story in terms of how he and Michelle passed 😢

[@cemeteriesdownunder9247]

great video Johnno , my ex father in law owned a triumph , that type of bike prob my favorite , he was from Birmingham , very sad Mike and his daughter were both killed so tragically and the house he was born in stunning , I really love the church and graveyard , it's what I would picture an English village to be like , two thumbs up 👍 👍

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you...Mike lived on Broad Lane.in Tanworth In Arden. The houses are ALL mansions £2 million pound plus..but where he grew up in Langsmeade House is also very beautiful 😍 Triumph Motorcycles loved by Steve McQueen 😀 glad you enjoyed the video...such a tragic end to Mike and his Daughter's life

[@BluegrassSpiritsAdventures]

Great tribute johno

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank u 💓

[@BluegrassSpiritsAdventures]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 very welcome johno 💖

[@kimfitzgeraldrockfam8973]

Amazing amount of details thank you so much

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you so much....I hope it was not too long and interesting to watch

[@kimfitzgeraldrockfam8973]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 no it was good to hear and all the pictures to like a documentary great job

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@kimfitzgeraldrockfam8973 thank you 😊

[@presstodelete1165]

Next in line of pallbearers after Agostini is John Surtees, who won the premier class on two and 4 wheels which was what Mike had been looking to emulate.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Cool..thank u 4 sharing...I hope u enjoyed my tribute to Mike Hailwood

[@GenerationsFound]

A very nice tribute. That is so cool you went to the factory. I love those Celtic crosses and their patterns. Is that what you call them there? You don't see those here.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you...Yes...Regarding the Celtic Crosses..I spent alot of time on this video...It is my most viewed...Mike Hailwood would have been 83 Years old yesterday had he lived...Thank you for your kind words and I hope you enjoyed the video

[@cschnauz]

Geoff Duke, Richard Atwood and David Hobbs were the other Pall Bearers….

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you, so a plethora of racing legends ! Hope you enjoyed my tribute to the Legendary Mike Hailwood 🙌

[@gtan431]

He was my boyhood hero and I had the immense pleasure of witnessing him win the TT in 1978. I can't quite see why you find it necessary to film the grave and crash site though. A very personal thing and should be respected as so.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

The Grave Site was filmed because that is what I do in my Channel, also people do like to know where the accident happened! Thank you for your feedback and I hope you enjoyed the video 📹 😊

[@gtan431]

No I didn't particularly enjoy it, I find it quite morbid tbh. I guess you're the type of person that was filming the scene of Nicola Bulley's sad demise too.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@gtan431 You have a choice not to watch my videos...20,000 people watched the video...I do not appreciate your comments about Nicola...You sound like a proper Bell End to me !! do one !!

[@gtan431]

Get help..you obviously need it.

[@gtan431]

....and you obvously sought permission from the remaining family members before you filmed this? If it was my Father or Sister I'd be very upset.

[@hellograves]

Very ironic after all the motorcycle driving he dies in a car accident on a regular outing 😢

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Absolutely...isn't it both sad and ironic 😢

[@ronniedarragh6579]

As a rider second to none as a mechanice henothing of a m c engine it was said

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Interesting

[@nellozavattini2716]

Great Man and wonderful Driver

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

He really was a very special human being. .R.I.P

[@DL-ls5sy]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 Far better than Liz Truss

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@DL-ls5sy for sure

[@georgecunningham7916]

In last comment forgot to mention although not a f1 champion he did win formula 3000 championship. . Not considered a world championship it basically was but was called the European championship

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Ok thank you for your information 🙂

[@johndeere1951a]

Omitted pallbearer Dickie Attwood, sports car driver

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank you for the information 🙏 😊

[@ufo-ovniuk8030]

And Geoff Duke, John Surtees and many more.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@@ufo-ovniuk8030 sorry..but I don't know everyone!

[@earlebacciochi9796]

STRANGE THINGS! I crashed my motorcycle near the same place a year earlier at night, no one else involved ! I'd had 3 pints of beer ?Also I work at the SD1 Rover production line, so I may well have worked on his car ! His dealership was under spaghetti junction. THANKS FOR TELLING THE STORY ❤👍

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Wow..Spooky...Mike was a very special 'anointed' human being...thank you for your kind words 🙏

[@eventcone]

The caption on the photo of Mike's coffin bearers was a little strange - pointing out James Hunt and ignoring Geoff Duke (and no mention of who the other bearers were either).

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Don't watch the Video...I am not interested on your negativity...Unsubscibe to my Channel..if you haven't got anything positive to say...put a sock in it Pal !

[@ufo-ovniuk8030]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 The guy just points out the obvious but you shoot him down,it's your lack of research and knowledge that is at fault here, you make a video about the death of one of the greatest people ever and do very limited research, so I suggest you put a sock in it.

[@eventcone]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 😮 Bad day? No negativity intended. I think my 'criticism' was constructive - considering the numbers of world championships held between the six bearers (Agostini, Surtees, Duke etc). I think that was worth a mention as it was indicative of the esteem and affection in which Mike was held. Please don't be so sensitive.

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

@eventcone you have no idea how much time, effort and energy it took to create this Masterpiece...my most watched and Subscribed to Video...please Subscribe to redress the imbalance!

[@eventcone]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 You're right. I haven't. It's unfortunately the burden of anyone who puts their work into the 'public eye'. OK mate - I've subscribed. Good luck with your future endeavours.

[@maestrosmilzo693]

Lui e Agostini i più grandi e completi di sempre

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Thank u 💓

[@janwillemsteenhuisen1550]

Graveyard visites from 9 to 5 tooth brush for cleaning da bei,or hammer and sissel for inspection inside (that dubble dutch vuillakken programma met de dooie derksen. Antre 997 eurietjes in plaats van ccs.💀🤡😎🤗

[@g7usl]

Why are you showing other graves?

[@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235]

Because its my video....and I can !

[@g7usl]

@@johnosgraveyardjaunts2235 Tut tut. Shame you never showed Pauline's eh?