Photo: Jack de Nijs for Anefo / CC BY-SA 3.0 nl (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Mike Hailwood is, for my money, a genuine candidate for greatest motorcycle racer ever. Nine Grand Prix world titles and seventy-six wins, including four 500cc crowns on MV Agusta, is staggering. What elevates him beyond statistics is the 1978 Isle of Man TT comeback, returning at thirty-eight after years away and winning, the stuff of legend. He also raced Formula One and earned the George Medal for bravely pulling a fellow driver from a burning car. His death in a road accident in 1981 was a cruel end. Talent, courage, and modesty rarely combine so completely in one rider.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Mike Hailwood
- Name (Japanese)
- マイク・ヘイルウッド
- Reading
- まいく・へいるうっど
- Born
- April 2, 1940 – March 23, 1981
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Dragon
- Origin
- Great Milton, United Kingdom
- Occupation
- Formula One driver / motorcycle racer / merchant / businessperson / athlete
2. Background
- University
- Pangbourne College
Awards & achievements
- Member of the Order of the British Empire
- 1973 George Medal
- 2000 Motorcycle Hall of Fame
- 2000 MotoGP Legends
- 1979 Segrave Trophy
- 2001 International Motorsports Hall of Fame
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Mike Hailwood born?
April 2, 1940 – March 23, 1981.
Where is Mike Hailwood from?
Mike Hailwood is from Great Milton, United Kingdom.
What does Mike Hailwood do?
Mike Hailwood works as Formula One driver, motorcycle racer, merchant, businessperson, athlete.
Formula One driver — see all → · Motorcycle racer — see all → · More people from United Kingdom →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.