Hailwood returning to two – wheel competition

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32701, 2 September 1971, Page 11

Hailwood returning to two - wheel competition

1 J WHEN he retired two r years ago to concen- - trate on car racing, the 5 English rider, S. M. B. Haiij wood, was- widely regarded i as the finest motor-cycle

road racer in the world. He had at the time won more world championships than anybody else, had the greatest number of Isle of Man T.T. titles to his credit

and had his name alongside practically every track record of any significance in Europe. Now it seems that Hailwood, in his early 30s, has tired of car racing and is interested in making a serious return to motorcycle competition. He reappeared on two wheels recently for the re-opening of the famous Silverstone circuit in England.

And on a borrowed TR3 Yamaha he showed that he had lost none of his old skill by finishing fourth in the international 350 c.c. race behind the reigning world champion, G. Agostini, of Italy, on an M.V.Augusta. The only others to lead the former champion home were the Finn, J. Saarinen, and another Englishman, J. Cooper. Hailwood missed the official practice because of a car racing engagement and had to start in the middle of the grid. He made a shocking start and after two laps was in eighteenth place.

“I couldn’t hear if the engine was running or not,” he explained afterwards. However, Hailwood soon began to reassert himself

and picked off his rivals one by one until he was fourth. Later in the day he rode the 350 c.c. Yamaha in the formula 750 race and although giving away up to 400 c.c. to the bigger machines, he finished a very commendable fourth behind two three-cylinder Triumphs and a B.S.A.

Now that Hailwood has shown his interest in motorcycling once again, offers are pouring in. The Italian factory, Benelli, is believed to be interested in obtaining his services. Earlier this season the nine-times world champion rejected Benelli’s offer to give him complete control of its race department. f

Now the Italian concern has a new 500 c.c. racer ready and are believed to be keen to have Hailwood face it in the Italian grand prix on September 12. Another Italian factory, Ducati, has already approached him. He tested a 750 c.c. Vee-twin Ducati before the Silvertsone meeting and recorded the sixth-fastest formula 750 practice lap on it. However, he decided against racing it on the day because it still had some handling problems to be sorted out.

In addition, Hailwood has been offered a new 750 c.c. four-cylinder Munch solo by the competitions manager of the West German factory (Mr J. Blanchard).