Cracking biopic I stumbled across, written by Pat Slinn....enjoy!
The story behind Mike Hailwood's 1979 win
- Thread starter Morety
- Start date
I watched Hailwood at Mallory Park, fresh from his TT win.
I think Mike Hailwood's win in the TT formular 1 race on the Ducati was in 1978, He did win the senior race in 1979 riding a RG500 Suzuki.
Without any doubt, the best motorcycle racer the word has ever seen.
Yes, you're right. It was definitely June '78 as he won at Mallory the very same month as Wapping witnessed. Just a faux pas or typo in the biopic title I guess:
Yes 78 I was sat on the wall at the Ballacraine Hotel (when it was a pub)
Just re-read it and I see what Pat's done....he was describing the machine prepped for the 1979 senior but referred back to the '78 winning bike (Mike finished 5th in '79). Apparently the first development for the '79 bike was a bit down on power to the TT winning machine. Bearing in mind it was a significantly modified version of their 864cc bevel head (obviously being a desmo), the mind boggles as the standard 860 produced a little under 60bhp, the SS, around 65-70bhp (mine was I think tested at 65bhp with some mods), but the Formula 1 bike, as well as being lighter kicked out an estimated 92 to 95bhp, quite something for a 70's twin!
In 79 I was sat on the hedge just before Ballaugh Bridge
78 at quarter bridge ; oh such joy; 
79 The Creg for usIn 79 I was sat on the hedge just before Ballaugh Bridge
Fenlander Strasse
Registered user
1978 sat up at the Bungalow with several cans of beer.
If my memory serves me right both me and my brother were sat on the very same wall watching it as well.
Not too sure but I think it was also the year that Phil Read upset the TT fans with his comments prior to the races, resulting in him being Mr Unpopular.
Upon leaving the Island we went straight to Mallory Park for the Post TT meeting to watch him blitz the opposition again on the Sports Motorcycles Ducati, OMG he was one very, very special rider.
Same here for the post TT at Mallory;
