COMING SOON!

If you’re seeking more Showstoppers like these, then your next happy hunting (show)ground is Stafford on April 23rd and 24th. The galaxyspanning Classic Motorcycle Show opens 9.30am both days at ST18 0BD – and the star of this event is… Mike Hailwood! Do not adjust your grip on reality, we haven’t fallen through a time portal, but instead the Stafford Classic Show will celebrate the life and achievements of Mike The Bike with the help of his son, David.

David Hailwood will be exhibiting an array of racing artefacts from the Hailwood family archive at the show. These include the Dunlop cap worn by Mike on the podium after he won the 1978 Formula One TT; the scale replica Manx Norton awarded to Mike by the factory in the wake of his 1961 triumph, and the remains of the MV contract you can see here. Mike tore this apart in front of Count Agusta when he was told that he would play second fiddle to Giacomo Agostini in 1966.

Continuing the Hailwood theme, the ‘Class of 78’ racers will join David Hailwood on stage to recall Mike’s great comeback in the epic 1978 TT. Ian Richards, Helmut Dähne, Alex George and Chas Mortimer will be joined by Mike’s mechanic, Roy Armstrong, to chat with motorsport commentator Jack Burnicle about life on the edge, racing on the Isle of Man and that remarkable TT win.

And then there’s the rest of the Stafford Show to enjoy – hundreds of classic bikes on display, the auction hall, club stands, autojumble, clothing and equipment, tools and memorabilia, old bikes in action in trials, concours and racing displays. Advance tickets are available from 01507 529529 / classicbikeshows.com