Bonhams is delighted to announce the consignment of an important collection of Mike Hailwood trophy memorabilia to its sale at The International Classic MotorCycle Show, Stafford on 29 April 2007.
Arguably the greatest racing motorcyclist of all time, Stanley Michael Bailey Hailwood, known to all as 'Mike', enjoyed an illustrious career at the very pinnacle of Grand Prix racing during the 1960s. Mike was renowned for his ability to ride almost anything, and in those days before rider specialisation often contested three different Grand Prix classes in the same day, winning every one. World Champion on nine occasions, he switched to cars in 1969 only to have a promising career cut short by injury. After many years away from the sport Mike made a glorious comeback in 1978, winning the Isle of Man Formula 1 TT on a Ducati. He returned to this most demanding of circuits the following year and won the Senior event, bringing his tally of TT victories to 14, a record at the time. He was killed in a road accident in 1981.
The majority of the Hailwood memorabilia to be sold by Bonhams was purchased by the vendor from the Mike Hailwood Collection sale in November 1997.
Spanning Mike's career from his days as a novice in the mid-1950s to his late-1970s comeback, this wonderful collection ranges from what is believed to be his first ever trophy, awarded at Blandford on 10 June 1957 for a 3rd place finish on a 50cc Itom (estimate ?500-?800) to his 1978 Isle of Man TT race helmet and bag (estimate ?2,000-3,000). The collection's centrepiece is the 1961 Isle of Man TT Replica trophy awarded to Mike for winning the Senior race at 100.60mph on a Norton, the first of his seven victories in this blue-riband event (estimate ?4,000-6,000).
Other lots: 1961 Senior TT Winning Entrant's Trophy awarded to Kings of Oxford (estimate ?4,000-?6,000); The J. S. Moore Trophy 1961 S. M. B. Hailwood (estimate ?300-?500); The Dunlop TT Award Isle of Man (estimate ?750-?1,000); Semcoil Trophy, Port Elizabeth '200', 1stJanuary 1958, 1st 250 class, NSU (estimate ?800-?1,200); Dickie Dale Memorial 1st 250 Class (estimate ?300-500); Cheshire Centre ACU British Road Race Championship, Oulton Park 1961, 250cc class, Honda (estimate ?500-?800); Mallory Challenge Trophy Race 1959, 3rd (estimate ?100-?200); Moto Club Santerno - Imola, Coppa d'Oro Shell Imola, 23/4/1967, Trofeo Shell (estimate ?400-?750); Snetterton 1960, 125 Class (estimate ?400-?600); The Evening News Challenge Trophy, International Motor Cycle Race, Brands Hatch 30 May 1966, Won by Mike Hailwood (estimate ?400-?600); ADAC Hockenheim, October 1972 (estimate ?500-?800); 1971 Daytona '200' leathers and boots (estimate ?1,500-?2,000).
Further press information and images: Josephine Olley or Rebecca Ruff on +44 (0)207 468 8229/8210 or email: press@bonhams.com