Mike Hailwood life story

**roogazza** · 11th January 2007, 19:12

That'd be a shame to have some Hollywood dick trying to play the part , and then having it turn out like Silverdream racer ?

He was my idol in the sixties when I was sixteen and then with some freaky luck I ended up on the piss with him at a Marlboro Series Ball in the seventies. He struck me as a really nice bloke. I think he died when someone did a U turn in front of him while out getting fish and chips ? Gaz.

sorry TLDV8 , you beat me to it !

**nudemetalz** · 11th January 2007, 20:23

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

One degree of seperation;

Ewan McGregor- owns a Moto-Guzzi Griso

Mike the bike- Moto-Guzzi test and development rider

Good choice, a prosthetic nose may be required for some authenticity as Mike's hooter was like the Guzzi bird beak fairing, huge. Perhaps it aided in arodynamics, maybe it gave him an edge.

He was my hero as a nipper and I was so ashamed he came to die in NZ, and I just checked my library and the book said he died here, maybe the book is wrong

Moto Guzzi test rider....didn't know that !!

**Dodgyiti** · 11th January 2007, 21:07

Yeah, he tested the V7 Sport in 1972 and was asked to race for the factory team in the 1972 Imola 200, but Moto Guzzi could not meet his salary demands.

Shame really... The tight bastards could have had some racing sucess, but in reality they were selling as many V7 Sports as the factory could put out the doors anyway.

**nudemetalz** · 11th January 2007, 21:30

Originally Posted by Dodgyiti

Yeah, he tested the V7 Sport in 1972 and was asked to race for the factory team in the 1972 Imola 200, but Moto Guzzi could not meet his salary demands.

Shame really... The tight bastards could have had some racing sucess, but in reality they were selling as many V7 Sports as the factory could put out the doors anyway.

And who wouldn't have a V7 Sport....I know I'd happily have one in the garage next to the V11 !!

**Dodgyiti** · 11th January 2007, 21:36

You bet, make mine a lime green one like this

**BarryG** · 12th January 2007, 03:15

He was killed on a wet foggy evening in England, near his home, when a truck did an illegal u-turn in the road. Unbelievable that the driver got off with a small fine, for causing the deaths of Mike and his daughter. Truly, sometimes, there is no justice.
My hero also, met him when I was a spotty 16 year old in Johannesburg, at a party after an SAGP(?) meeting, talked to me as if I was one of his mates, was my hero before, my hero worship sealed at that party.
I fear for the portrayal of someone like him in a movie. I can only hope they do as good a job as they did with Burt Munro.
Cheers
Barry

**What?** · 12th January 2007, 05:30

Movie made in Hollywood means real person's name with made-up story. Even the WFIndian wasn't entirely accurate and truthful.
Sorry, but the simple fact is that it will be bollocks, and will set a whole generation believing fantasies to be fact. Again.

**Shewolf** · 12th January 2007, 05:53

Will watch with interest - he was my mother's cousin.

**Juan** · 12th January 2007, 10:15

>>>>>>>. Waves from The Isle of Man >>>>>>>>>>>>

Pick me >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

**Pixie** · 12th January 2007, 10:18

Originally Posted by Ghost Lemur

Steve McQueen.

Great casting - they're both dead

**sAsLEX** · 12th January 2007, 15:01

Originally Posted by What?

Even the WFIndian wasn't entirely accurate and truthful.

Mostly was, but rather the bits of his life were mixed together to make one good story.......

**Motu** · 12th January 2007, 15:55

And some of Donaldson's thrown in as well,but I don't think it detracted from the story or man - very hard to put across the man's whole life in one movie about one trip to the salt flats.It will be the same with Mike Hailwoods story....try and fit all his life in one short flick,or do what Donaldson did and concentrate on one event.Maybe the IOM comeback,maybe the story of the ''6''? I'm sure there will be complaints no matter what they do....and I'll be there with mine...

**nudemetalz** · 12th January 2007, 20:53

Originally Posted by Motu

And some of Donaldson's thrown in as well,but I don't think it detracted from the story or man - very hard to put across the man's whole life in one movie about one trip to the salt flats.It will be the same with Mike Hailwoods story....try and fit all his life in one short flick,or do what Donaldson did and concentrate on one event.Maybe the IOM comeback,maybe the story of the ''6''? I'm sure there will be complaints no matter what they do....and I'll be there with mine...

What's better though? Going to the movies to see a movie about a famous rider which may have some errors or not do one at all?

I for one will definitely go, even if it's just to hear the old bikes they'll use (Honda 6, or Manx Norton, or Ducati...)

**Blackbird** · 12th January 2007, 21:08

My hero too. Have seen him race numerous times in the UK and seeing him in the Isle of Man on that ill-handling Honda 500 was a sight to behold. Thought that the attached picture of him at Clermont Ferrand is one of the best pictures ever. Incredible angles of lean on that Honda 6 even with skinny tyres and crap suspension.

What a guy