Mike Hailwood with Senior Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) trophy, TT presentations, Villa Marina
Date(s): September 1966
Creator(s): Manx Press Pictures
Scope & Content: In 1966 Mike Hailwood won both the Lightweight and the Senior Tourist Trophy (TT) races, on Honda machines. The 1966 TT was held late in the year, due to the seamen's strike which meant that the event could not be held at its usual time in late May and early June. The strike ended in July and the TT had to be rescheduled to fit in with the other motorsport events in the calendar.
Mike Hailwood is considered one of the greatest racing legends of the TT, having achieved a record-breaking 14 TT wins in the 1960s and 1970s, and is still a hero to a generation of fans.
He was born in Oxfordshire in 1940 and his father, a pre-war racer, owned a large motorcycle dealership. Hailwood began racing at 17 and showed huge natural ability. He rode for both Honda and MV Agusta, winning nine World Championships.
Hailwood’s TT career began in 1958, the highlight being the 1967 Senior race against Agostini, which he won after a thrilling battle. Following a period in car racing, he returned to the TT in 1978 and made a triumphant comeback with victories in the 1978 and 1979 races.
He was tragically killed in a car accident with his daughter in 1981.
Language: eng
Item name: photograph
Collection: Photographic Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: PG/13633/1/1966/645/1
Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT