Mike Hawthorn's Death January 1959

Mike's Last Mile... January 22, 1959.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Mike
• Hawthorn
• Jaguar
• 1959

[olarcial]

I read somewhere that his father also died in a road accident not long before Mike did. I also wonder why Mike has retired so young. Maybe Le Mans 1955 was the reason in his mind.

[Flaminiasupersport]

He was World Champion and retired, because of personal reasons. His best friends had died and the fun was out of it. He wrote "It's better to ask why one stops rather than why don't he stop..."

[darkestdevon]

why the tasteless Beach Boys track.........?

[Flaminiasupersport]

I was looking for background music when I found this song about youngsters who were racing on public roads (just as Mike did that day) in a Jaguar (just like Mike) which ended up fatally for the Jag (just like Mike). In the end they realize how stupid it was to do so... but it's too late for that, someone died. I'm convinced that the accident that killed Mike was a very stupid one, there's no more to say about it.

[okv2]

Great Tribute for a Giant Man......Thankyou

[2007Colonial]

He did have an acute kidney condition, Lofty England said he had about five years to live as there was no dialysis then or transplants.

[galoon]

@darkestdevon Deadman's Curve is by Jan & Dean, not the Beach Boys. I agree it's use is tasteless in this particular video, though.

[iainthornton]

he retired for personal reasons...yes, a kidney-related disease which more than likely caused him to black out and thus crash as he was unconscious

Of course, that can't be proven. But I'm assured (by people more knowledgeable on medicine than I) that it is a strong likelihood.

[gcmc2]

@heniek33333 Late reply, but yes that's Peter Collins in the photo with Mike. Of course Collins was killed a little while before Mike.

[gcrav]

Elsewhere on youtube is video reconstructed from film stills showing the whole sequence leading up to the 1955 Le Mans crash. It's shown at regular speed and in slow motion. It proves that Macklin was not forced into the path of Levegh by Hawthorn. Macklin lost control because his right wheels got off the pavement (kicking up a cloud of dust) while he was behind Hawthorn and he overcorrected into the path of Levegh.

[56BUICKRiviera]

Excellent work on this video. Racing those cars was an adrenaline rush like being in combat.

[WolfiePeters]

For those still blaming Hawthorn for the 1955 Le Mans accident, there’s an article by Paul Frere, testimony from the Ferrari mechanics, still pictures and a DVD of 2010 TV programme. It was NOT Hawthorn’s fault.

Please take a look at those before accusing someone who’s not here to defend himself.

[solarflares1058]

@fenderman001 Wrong mate. The car that slowed down for the pits was Hawthorn's and he said just after - "I caused that". Also Hawthorn had just lapped Levegh so he knew he was there behind doing 150mph.

[tejastiger61]

God Bless this Anglo Golden Boy..... He was the King of English Cool....

This little short film is a real GEM .... Well done ... BRAVO ...! Thanks a million to whom ever took their valuable time, along with willingness to share with the minions unquestionable great taste , to post and share the Hero Hawthorn with the rest of us.... BRAVO ...!

[msnovtue]

@fenderman001 Get *your* facts straight. Hawthorn cut off Macklin's Healy, causing Macklin to swerve into Levegh's path. And while Hawthorn didn't make the decision to continue the race, he was the classless dickhead celebrating with a smile and champagne less than 24 hours later.