Mike Hailwood is arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. During his 10-year Grand Prix career, Mike the Bike won 50 percent of his 152 race starts. That culminated in 76 victories, 112 podiums, and 79 fastest laps. In addition to that illustrious record, Hailwood also dominated the Isle of Man TT (IOMTT), collecting 12 wins in the 125cc, 250cc, 350cc, and 500cc classes between 1961 and 1967.
The living legend bid farewell to the Grand Prix circuit and Snaefell Mountain Course in 1967, but he wasn’t done racing. After a four-year stint in Formula 1 (1971-1974), Mike got the itch to get back on the bike. Eleven years removed from motorcycle racing, many doubted the 38-year-old rider’s prospects at the 1978 IOMTT.
