Dave, how much you remind me of your father many years ago, the eyes, the manner, the laugh and even the voice ! I'll tell you a little story about your Dad :- I well remember the Race of the Year at Mallory Park September 1964, and long after the race had finished and the crowds had gone, asking a Marshall if I could drive my car (Citroen DS19) around the circuit, he said better ask Mike (Hailwood) and directed me to him. I asked Mike, who I had briefly met a number of times before, and he said of course you can, and told the Marshall to let me through the top gate (Near Hairpin) - He said come back after we are having a bit of a Party with Chris Barber later. Did two/three laps and then went back. Mike appeared genuinely pleased to see me again and asked how I got on. Had a good laugh together as we found had a lot of common interests (3 years older than me and born on the same date 2nd April) Stayed until late with many of the riders and "Chris Barber & his Jazzmen" playing. Imagine that today, the pits were open and you didn't need a fancy pass to get in. I was very keen on Jazz Bands, and in fact had an Acker Bilk Beard at the time !and was often mistaken for him ! Still got the Program Price 2/6p (NOT FOR SALE) and signed by many riders then including Phil Read, Jim Redman, Mike Duff, Bill Ivy etc Incidentally Mike Won the race on the MV (Meccanica Verghera) Agusta and was £1000 richer. Huge amount in those days. So no wonder he was happy. He held the 350cc Lap Record from 62-64 at 84.93 mph and the 500cc Lap record at 53 seconds 91.70 mph in 1962. Went to the Isle of Man and well remember AGO's Chain break in '67 ! Stayed in the same Hotel (The Sefton, Douglas) What a great guy Mike was, and a terrible loss to Motor Sport. I was not aware at the time I was talking to a Millionaires son, as Mike was so modest and unpretentious.? "Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and Are melted into air, into thin air: And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great globe itself, Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life Is rounded with a sleep.” William Shakespeare (The Tempest) Last Act
Пікірлер: 2