I used to be a sports photographer, I was a regular at Mallory Park in the 70's. I was there for the Race of The Year in 1978 and took a number of pictures of Hailwood (my hero), Sheene and Phil Read. The attached is one of those pictures.
Mallory was my local track the race of the year and post meets were brilliant Best race ever was when John Cooper on a BSA Rocket 3 beat Ago on the works MV
I have fond memories of Mallory back in the late sixties and seventies, I remember Phil Read, riding from the start line the wrong way back to the hairpin, turn around and return to the start line ready for off. Steve
Search "Mike Hailwood Sports Motorcycles Mallory Park 1978" on You Tube and spend 18 minutes or so marvelling. I only saw him ride once, it was British GP at Silverstone 1972 I think and I cannot remember whether it was 250cc or 350cc, probably 350. Mike had a late entry on a TZ Yamsel and was up against Read, then current world Champion, Lansivouri, and Saarinen. Push starts in those days and Mike got a shocker last away by at least 100 yards. My mates and I were watching at Club Corner so you could see them go down the Hangar straight and take Stowe corner, then you lost them for a few seconds and saw them peel off to take Club corner, about a 90mph right hander. These were days before slicks and everybody was on triangular Dunlops about 3" wide at front and 4" wide at back. Saarinen, Lansivouri and Read came into view approaching Club, braking upright and peeling off and powering through the corner towards Abbey curve - they were fast and made a break at the front after 2 or 3 laps. Read got dropped buy about lap 4/5. On the first lap Mike came through mid pack, when he came into view he was cranked over 35 degrees in a full two wheel drift driving through and around other competitors as if they had stopped. By about lap 6 he was up to 5th or sixth and on his own. He came through every lap in a full two wheel drift, so smooth and so fast and inch perfect on the apex. He overtook Read on the entrance to club and pulled about 30 yards by the time they were upright and heading towards Abbey Curve. Mike ran out of laps to finish higher than 4th. It was the most incredible piece of motorcycle riding I have witnessed in the flesh. The crowd around us just stood in silence and in awe every time he came past. I will remember it as long as I live.
I didn't know you were called Jim too :Wideyed: nice leathers with yer name on there Birdie Jim :Bucktooth:
I will almost certainly be amongst the out of focus crowd of spectators on the esses. Was there for the epic Cooper/Ago race too. And most other big meets during the 70s. Mallory in those days was superb.
