23rd March 1981 <HR style="COLOR: #666666" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->The Day that the Lights went out on the Life of Stanley Michael Bailey (Mike)Hailwood MBE,GM . Tragically Killed in an accident on a Chip Shop Run which also claimed the Life of Daughter Michelle and nearly took Son David. Today,close to the 30th Anniversary of the Tragedy,the Mike Hailwood Memorial Run took place. Starting Point - Bracebridge Street at the Site of the old Norton Factory. Megamoto and Little Cousin outside the Old Norton Factory. Head of the Run; The Van from the Hailwood Centre on the Isle Of Man,The Gold Star Owners Club (at the Front after complaining Last Year that Clubman Goldies do not like having to ride slowly in the middle of a Run, The Line up in Bracebridge Street ( the road was solid with Bikes by Start Time) Hailwood Rep Ducati, "Hailwood Honda" based on an old Air Cooled 400/4 100 GS PD with a 1200 in the background, Austrian Reg'd 1150 (Hitlers Bike ?? ) and an Indian - no Cowboys. Nortons and Triumphs . The Run went round the Central Ring Road and the down Pershore Road to Kings Heath before heading off towards Beoley and on to Tanworth In Arden. Bikes arriving, the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Pauline Hailwood talks to someone from Sports Motorcycles A Tribute to another Former Racer - just below the Screen is the inscription "Dedicated to the Late Great Ray Pickrell". A Short Memorial Service with Tributes from Ken Sprayson and Mike Peters was followed by an Address and Dedication at the Graveside. Pauline,Mike's Widow,paid a moving Thank You to all of the Attendees on behalf of Herself,Son David and Grandson Mike. David was not able to attend as he was helping with the aftermath of an Accident that claimed the Life of one of the Group that he had been Riding to the Run with. A Sad and Poignant Footnote.
Thanks Guys. Just out of interest,do you do anything like that for Racers from over there that Pass too soon ?
Thanks for posting that, interesting and a bit different than the average ride report on ADV. Well done! I'm sure all of us know who Mike Hailwood was, but just in case... http://www.mikethebike.com/ And condolences on the crash and loss on the ride there.
"Mike the Bike" was one of the all time greats, thanks for sharing the event photo's. Really nice picture of the Slippery Sam replica and the host of other bikes that were out for the day.
nice to read THIS, about "Mike the Bike" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hailwood thanks so much for thread and pictures how nice to honor him this way
Fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing this. Mikethebike is still very highly thought of over here, but I was not aware of this event being held...very cool! Do not know of any such event like this being held for fallen motorcycle racers on such a scale, but many more local events like it are held yearly for many lost friends. Some have become rather large over time. Always good to take time to remember those of the brotherhood that have fallen. RIP Mike
