Tag Archives: Mike Hailwood

Motorcycle News, News

UK motorcycle museum collection for auction

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Here’s your chance to own some amazing motorcycle memorabilia including helmets owned by famous racers such as Mike Hailwood, Joe Dunlop and Marco Simoncelli.

The contents of the Phil Morris Road Racing Museum, one of the world’s largest collections of motorcycle racing memorabilia and motorcycle spares is to be offered by Bonhams in an online auction from Monday April 18 to May 3.

Phil was a schoolboy trials racer who graduated to four-wheels competing in the RAC Rally.

He is known in British racing circles as a sponsor and team owner and started collecting motorcycle memorabilia in the 1970s.

In 2001 added machines to the mix when he bought back his first Ariel.

Phil set up a dedicated space for the collection in 2007 when it had outgrown his home and his then wife’s patience. Forty to sixty people would visit every Thursday until the doors closed with the first lockdown last year.

His collection is one of the world’s largest arrays of rare sets of spares, matching helmets and leathers for the GP bikes, Moto 2 and Moto 3 motorcycles, raced, worn and won by some of the most famous names on two wheels, such as Phil Read, Joey Dunlop, Mike Hailwood and Kenny Roberts.

More than 330 lots are offered in the online sale, running from Phil’s Museum in Oswestry, dubbed ‘The Church’ by Isle of Man TT rider Rob Barber.

2017 Touratech Travel, Challenge and Expo at Bright in Victoria on April 1 and 2

The auction follows the successful sale of racing motorcycles in Phil’s collection in the 2021 Autumn Stafford Sale.

Highlights of the sale include:

Click here for the catalogue.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Giacomo Agostini: The Man, The Myth, The Legend

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Today we celebrate the belated birthday of seven-time 350cc and 500cc world title champion Giacomo Agostini, or “Ago”  – an Italian rider with an unmatched gift for racing. 

According to an article posted on TopGear, young Agostini was born June 16, 1942, in Brescia, Lombardy, where he started his passion for riding in secret. 

His first title was won in 1963 when he snatched the Italian Hillclimb Championship riding a 175cc Moto Morini. 

The successes continued into 1965, where Agostini became a member of the MV Agusta works team. The season saw Giacomo’s first ride for MV, finishing second only to his teammate and mentor, Mike Hailwood. 

With Hailwood scooped up by Honda the following year, Ago became lead rider of MV Agusta – setting the young prodigy up beautifully for what was to be a whirlwind of wins.

Giacomo Agostini riding for MV Agusta

By 1968, Giacomo was hitting uncontested streaks in both the 350cc and 500cc class titles. 

Hit Ctrl + Paste for 1969.

And again for 1970.

It soon became obvious that the man breaking statistical averages across the world was honed in on his game – and perhaps a little crazy, as all riders should be.

Giacomo Agostini, profile picture, 1970.

MoreBikes has a snippet of Agostini recalling the state of the tracks back in his day: 

“We ran because we had a lot of passion, a lot of desire to run. You could not choose, the tracks were what they had, the straw balls were something palliative.”

Agostini’s winning streak was broken only by the crumpling of his bike in the first lap of 1971’s Isle of Man TT. At this point, he had completely cleared the table, winning 26 titles in the 350cc class and 32 in the 500cc class – a mind-boggling 58 titles acquired, in a row, nonstop. 

Ago had two short retirement periods in 1971 and 1972, with his official retirement from the motorcycle scene in 1977, leaving behind a burning hot legacy that still inspires riders today – and Top Gear was right when they said that Agostini’s statistics are insane. 

a close-up photo of the new GSX-s950, in Triton Blue.

Ago took the title of every race he finished, stamping five years’ worth of wins in the record books. 

1966-1972 was when he won seven world titles in a row in the 500cc class, and that’s not counting the seven world titles for the 350cc class garnered 1968-1974.

If we were counting Ago’s win for Yamaha in 1975, that brings the number of world title wins to FIFTEEN.

All told, Giacomo Agostini’s 14-year career saw 223 races; he took the gold home 122 of the 159 times that he made the podium, with 117 inofficial ‘fastest lap’ records tucked under one capable arm, 6 of which are considered official pole positions.

Perhaps Agostini’s quote, translated in 1967 from the Vault, would best describe the Italian’s career and his drive to ride:
“I want to do everything I can – while I can.”

Giacomo Agostini, standing next to the bike that saw many of his successes in the mid to late '90s

For more information on Italians and motorcycles, head over to MotorBikeWriter.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Eric Bana stars as Mike ‘The Bike’ Hailwood

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Aussie movie star, passionate motorcycle rider and motoring fan Eric Bana will play Mike “The Bike” Hailwood in a movie based on the legendary racer’s life.

Bana will also write and direct the film about the legendary racer who retired from racing bikes in 1967 after 12 Isle of Man TT victories and returned to take back his crown in 1978 on a Ducati 900SS.

His brave return will be the focus of the film.

The bike he raced has also become legendary and is even immortalised in the latest TT computer game.

Isle of Man TT 2 game Mike Hailwood Ducati 900Isle of Man TT 2 game

Hailwood honoured

Hailwood’s widow, Pauline, says the family is “absolutely thrilled” that Eric will adapt Mike’s story into a feature film.

Bana started directing with the 2010 movie Love the Beast about his first car, a 19745 Ford XB Falcon hardtop.

He also has a passion fort motorcycles, particularly Ducatis and is often participating in track days, so no doubt he may do some of his own stunts in the movie.

Eric Bana Mike HailwoodEric on track

It is quite appropriate that an Aussie brings Hailwood’s story to the silver screen.

The British rider had a close connection with Australia having ridden many Ducatis in long-distance races, often with Aussie co-rider Jim Scaysbrook.

He also raced Formula One and once stopped mid-race to pull a fellow racer from his burning car and save his life.

Ironically, Hailwood died, age 40, along with his daughter after a truck crashed into their vehicle on their way to a restaurant.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Classic bikes join Isle of Man TT 2 game

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We would rather be riding than sitting in front of a computer game (even when it’s raining), but the upcoming Isle of Man TT 2 looks interesting with a host of classic motorcycles being added.

The game is due on Xbox One, PS4, and PC in March 2020 and later on in the year for Nintendo Switch.

If you pre-order, you will receive a 1978 Mike Hailwood Ducati 900 as a bonus motorcycle.

Check out this two-part video.

The first half shows Davey Todd on the BMW S1000RR he rode last year and the second half features Mike the Bike on the Ducati 900.

It’s obviously not as fast, but oh the sound!

In fact, the sound is one of the best things about the game.

No game that we have ever seen comes close to the reality and dynamics of riding.

But the sound sure can. So hook up to a good amp and speakers and turn the volume up to 11.

Classic TTIsle of Man TT 2 game Mike Hailwood Ducati 900

While the Hailwood bike is a bonus for those who order early, there are several other classic bikes in the game.

They include the MV Augusta 500, Norton NRS 588, Suzuki XR69, and Yamaha TZ 750.

Here is the official trailer video for the game.

It will be interesting to see if the Norton V4 RR that featured in the first game returns as the company has gone into administration amid sordid fraud allegations and will obviously not be at this year’s TT.

The first Isle of Man TT video game “Ride on the Edge” featured motorcycles rendered by Brisbane computer graphics production studio Virtual Mechanix.

We aren’t sure if they are involved this time, but the rendering is pretty good and the bikes are faithful to the originals.

TT realismIsle of Man TT 2 game Mike Hailwood Ducati 900

This game was developed by Bigben Interactive and Kylotonn, who did the first IOMTT game and the WRC FIA World Rally Championship series.

They are really going out for realism with the rider view even attracting bug splatters on the visor as they go around the track.

The creators say the new game features a revised physics system with more precise steering, better balance around bends and speed wobbles to alert players.

Brakes and shock absorbers respond to all bumps and users have to manage wear and tear of various bike parts and monitor brakes, suspension, engine and tyre temperatures.

Still, not as good as going for a real ride or heading out for a track day!

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoGP, News

Motorbike Racing Legends Past and Present

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Who are the greatest rider legends of all time, and do you agree?

Motorcycle Hall of Fame: Top Riders of All Time

What criteria can be used to judge the greatest motorcycle racers of all time? The number of titles won is a start, but there are many more aspects to what makes a truly great rider. Style, skill, attitude and charisma are all part of what contributes to a riding legend. Motorcycle racing is one of the most exciting and high-octane sports to bet on, and luckily these days there are plenty of online odds offered on races.

Any list is subjective and open to debate, but here’s our breakdown of three of the most legendary and memorable riders, all of whom have more than earned their place in the motorcycle hall of fame.

1. Giacomo AgostiniGiacomo Agostini Ago AGV tribute helmet

Agostini – known as Ago – is a legend of motorcycle racing, having had a career ranging from rider firebrand to Formula 1, and a successful stint as a team manager. The Italian legend won his first title at the age of 21, and his career accelerated from there. Agostini was noted for winning no less than seven successive Isle of Man TT titles, and the same number of Ulster Grand Prix races, during a time that non-British riders were a huge rarity in these competitions. Ago remains unbeaten to this day.

Agostini went on to win prestigious races such as the Daytona 200 and 350cc World Championship, winning his final world championship in 1975. He later had a short career in Formula 1 and then a longer stretch as a team manager. His dominance on the circuit, coupled with his good looks and charm, have cemented his place as one of the greatest of all time.

2. Mike Hailwood

Mike Hailwood
Mike Hailwood

A contemporary and competitor of Ago, Mike the Bike will be remembered not only as one of the greatest riders of all time, but as a selfless hero. Hailwood won countless trophies, including no less than twelve Isle of Man TTs, but it is an event during his subsequent Formula 1 career that won him the George Medal for bravery. In 1973, after colliding with Clay Regazzoni, Hailwood ran back to pull his fellow driver from his burning car. Hailwood was tragically killed in a road traffic accident, along with one of his children, in 1981.

3. Valentino RossiValentino Rossi and Ducati get video games fans

Ago and Hailwood may be heroes of the past, but Rossi is still startlingly relevant, even at the age of forty. Loved just as much for his quirky and outgoing character as his stunning racing record, ‘The Doctor’ continues to entertain and enthral motorcycle racing fans across the globe.

As sports betting increases in popularity, many of us who play mobile casino games are branching out into placing wagers on our favourite sporting events. Online odds on Rossi and other bikers are available from some of the biggest and most reputable sportsbooks in the business. Rossi has a history of adversarial showdowns, most recently with Marc Marquez. Resources like https://mobile-casino.ca/odds can keep it interesting when sizing up the online odds.

Of course, there are (and have been) plenty more riding greats in the world of motorcycle racing. Kenny Roberts, representing the USA, and the great Australian Mick Doohan could easily have made it on to this list, amongst many others.

Ago and Mike the Bike both went into Formula 1 in their later years, and that seems to be a popular transition for many riders. Until fairly recently, fans who want to put money on racing outcomes would have to wait for their motorcycle heroes to make the jump. These days, anyone who is up to date with the best casino games odds can also find online odds for motorcycle races.

Rossi’s next season begins this month in Qatar, as the start of the 2019 MotoGP season. His Yamaha team mate is Maverick Viñales, who won best rookie award in the MotoGP class in 2015.

(Sponsored post)

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com