Who Was Mike Hailwood?

Mike Hailwood was a famous motorcycle racing driver, possibly the most successful racer in the world.  He became known as Mike the Bike.  Later he had a reasonably successful career as a formula one and two driver.  He also drove Le Mans. He left Formula one driving after an accident in Germany.  During the South African grand prix, he noticed a friend's car was on fire, he stopped his car on the track, and pulled the driver out, earning himself the George Medal, a British medal for gallantry.  He returned to motorcycle racing in 1978, after an eleven year hiatus to race in the Isle of Man TT races, despite people's beliefs, Hailwood won the TT race that year.

Mike Hailwood died in a passenger car accident when he collided with a delivery truck, killing his nine year old daughter and clinging on himself for a further few days before passing away.  Hailwood is buried in Warwickshire.  It is possible to visit his grave.