THIS YEARS RUN was on       SUNDAY MARCH 23rd 2008       from Bracebridge Street, Aston 

The run is open to any rider on any motorcycle (we even have cars following us!). No pre-registration is required just turn up and join in!

The routing is from the former Norton motorcycle factory in Bracebridge Street, Aston, Birmingham to Tanworth in Arden in Warwickshire.

There will be no service this year at the church

Last year 120 riders attended including 4 from Scarborough!

   Map for NORTON     

An annual memorial run to remember the world's greatest motorcycle racer. A rider who could ride any machine, on any course and still beat the best in the world.

Mike was a quadruple British champion at 18.

He was a Honda works rider at 21.

Mike won 9 World Championships in a five year period between 1962 & 1967.

500cc        1962  1963, 1964 & 1965
350cc        1966 & 1967
250cc        1961  1966 & 1967

Mike changed to cars in the sixties and his first Grand prix was at Silverstone in 1963 in a Parnell Lotus.

In 1969 Mike gave up bikes to concentrate on cars and had a third at Le Mans.

In 1971 he was runner up in the F5000 championship.

In 1972 he was European Formula 2 champion.

In 1973 car points eluded him due to constant unreliability but he distinguished himself by stopping during a race in South Africa and pulling Clay Regazonni out of his blazing car and saving his life. Mike was awarded a George Medal for gallantry.

In 1974 Mikes very promising car career was ended by a crash at Nurburging which badly broke his leg.

Mike announced his retirement in 1975 and went with his family to live in New Zealand.

Mike didn't stay away for long though, he was bored and moved back to the Midlands starting a motorcycle business in Erdington beside Spaghetti Junction with racer Rod Gould.

On June 2 1978 Mike Hailwood came out of retirement to ride a Ducati 900 SS at the Isle of Man  and he won the Formula 1 TT, beating the favourite Phil Read on a Honda. It was 20 years since his TT debut!

The following year in 1979, at the Isle of Man, he won the 500cc Senior TT on a Suzuki, his 14th and final TT victory.

Of  Mike's ability Murray Waker said this;

"His versatility and skill were awe-inspiring. I've seen him at the same meeting win races on a left foot gear change 125cc two stroke, a right foot change 250cc twin, a 350cc single cylinder four stroke and a four cylinder works MV. I've seen him start at the back of the grid with an injured leg and a pusher to get him going and still beat a field of top world class riders. His fluid style was unmistakeable and supreme, irrespective of whether it was wet or dry and he did it all with nonchalant charm and modesty."

The Mike Hailwood Memorial Run is held every March from the former Norton Works in Bracebridge Street, Aston, Birmingham.

The 2006 run saw a record 150 riders attend. Please do not let this great man be forgotten, make the effort and be there, even if you come by car and go straight to the church of St Mary Magdalene at Tanworth in Arden.

To be close to the business Mike bought a house in the beautiful village of Tanworth in Arden, on the outskirts of Birmingham.

On the evening of March 21st 1981 Mike, David & Michelle Hailwood were all involved in a tragic car accident at Portway, near the family home in Tanworth in Arden. They were returning from a fish and chip shop when Mike encountered a flat back lorry that had turned across the carriageway of the A435 Birmingham to Redditch road. It was a wet, dark night and Mike had no chance of avoiding the collision which instantly claimed Michelle's life. Mike died two days later at the Birmingham Accident Hospital on March 23rd. David Hailwood, who was in the rear of the car, survived. Mike was just weeks away from his 41st Birthday. Mike had returned from retirement in New Zealand. After an amazing come back at the Isle of Man TT races in 1978 & 1979 Mike had gone into partnership with Rod Gould and set up a motorcycle shop in Tyburn Road, Erdington, beside Spaghetti Junction in  Birmingham.

After a visit to the grave in 2001 the organiser of The Birmingham Testers Run decided a memorial event of some kind was long overdue. The Mike Hailwood Memorial Run was born.
      

The first run in 2001 was attended by Pauline Hailwood and Mike's sister Christine Hailwood. A special service was conducted by the Reverend Tim Harmer and during the service ex-motorcycle racer Tommy Robb spoke to the congregation about Mike and his memories of him, which went back to when they first met in 1958. Following the service there was a dedication at the grave. Flowers and wreathes were laid by Ducati (Italy), Ducati (UK), The Ducati Owners Club, Mikes widow, Pauline Hailwood and Mikes' sister, Christine Hailwood.

Also present were Mick Hemmings, Steve Wynne, Richard Attwood, Ken Sprayson and Phil Read. The main party then attended a lunch, in honour of Mike and Michelle, at the National Motorcycle Museum.

The run always starts from the former Norton Works in Bracebridge Street, Aston which is beside the last A38M slip road junction with a roundabout (Dartmouth Circus). Dartmouth Circus is the crossing point for the Birmingham Ring Road. Further details with a map reference are on the page, 'Getting to the factories.' which is on The Birmingham Testers Run link.

There is no pre-registration for this event and all are welcome in cars or on motorcycles of any make or description. BUT PLEASE NOTE YOU will need to read the conditions which will appear here two weeks before the run

PLEASE GIVE YOUR SUPPORT, THIS EVENT IS SPONSORED BY CAROLE NASH INSURANCE

Please ensure you are on the TESTER newsletter email list so you can keep up to date with both runs.

Contact the organiser by email, address is on the MADE IN BIRMINGHAM home page

       The grave at Tanworth in Arden which is tended by John Peters

THE BIRMINGHAM TESTERS RUN Homepage

Photos of both events

Mike with the Greaves he rode in the Scottish 6 day trial in 1965

Please note that all participants in the Mike Hailwood run take part at their own risk and agrre to indemify the organiser in the event of any incident or accident. Please note overtaking other riders is not permitted at anytime. All riders must ride in single file with a minmum spacing of 100 yards