HAILWOOD vs AGO: SENIOR TT 1967

One of the most famous motorcycle races in the history of Grand Prix!

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• HAILWOOD
• AGOSTINI
• TOURIST
• TROPHY

[manolobortulen]

PREGO! sono contento che la storia della moto interessi così tanta gente!

[pillockbrain]

I was there for the week's racing, in 1967! Watched this race, and all the others.. Those were the days!! Mike and Ago- both the very best and an epic battle..Later, Mike said his Honda felt like it had a giant hinge in the middle- but it had plenty of H.P.!! What a race! Miss you Mike....R.I.P.

[wsbk79]

magnifica testimonianza di un duello epico!!!

[eventcone]

@saulocpp How about Derek Minter? Seems he was Mike's toughest rival when they were both younger, before he left the sport. I wonder how much Mike's battles with Minter played a part in turning Mike into the great rider he became by the mid-60s......

[saulocpp]

@eventcone Not only this, but I think it also checks the riders' balls. Winning this thing 12 times, it's not for everybody. At that time, the chance of a rider being killed by this race was too high.

[eventcone]

@saulocpp How many titles and TT wins if he had stayed with bikes into the mid 70s? We will never know......

I agree with you about Mike adapting to new technology. In terms of a rider adapting in this way, I think it's true to say that the biggest changes of the last 50 years were crammed into those 11 years he was away. He certainly gets my vote as the Greatest.

However, I think he was very wise to choose the TT, where experience counts for more than youth, provided you're fit enough?

[MartinKillips]

I was there too. I was nine years old and my elder brother and my father watched the race from the bank at Hillbery. My lasting memory is watching Hailwood's ill handling Honda literally leaping around as he sped past us. He described the bike as having a hinge in the middle. He was spot on. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that rear wheel was bouncing over two feet apart as the rear end leapt left to right - on the straight!

[saulocpp]

@eventcone I think his last season was 1968 when Honda left motorcycle competition, but I'm unaware about MV offering him a seat again.

Yes, Hailwood, Saarinen and Sheene are 3 of the great losses to the sport. As for the return, 10-11 years after leaving motorcycling, I think this is his credential for being the greatest of them all. Yes, Ago and Rossi have bigger numbers, but they never needed to adapt to new technology after 10 years away. Hailwood is the top in my book.

[eventcone]

@saulocpp Yes, you're correct, of course.

My memory is a little hazy here. Perhaps it was the 1969 season?

Either way - what a loss to Motorcycle racing! Although if he had stayed with bikes we would not have had the emotion of that wonderful return in 1978.

[saulocpp]

@eventcone Honda paid Mike to not race for another manufacturer when they pulled out of motorcycle GP, that's why he went to F1.

[eventcone]

Hmmm...

Ago was a great rider, but I think Mike always had his measure. Even Ago himself said Hailwood was the greatest.

I believe Mike had the option of riding for MV in 1968, but turned it down as soon as he realised Ago was being given a quicker bike in his initial practice sessions. What a loss to Motorcycle racing, that Mike switched to cars in his prime. If he had continued with bikes, Ago would not have racked up the world titles he did. Many of them would have gone to Mike.

[montelatici]

I really like Mike, but Ago is my hero.

[montelatici]

Hailwood was great, but Giacomo is the best ever.