Guy Martin is to ride the famous 297cc RC167 Honda Six at the Castle Combe Grand National to commemorate 60 years since the legendary Mike Hailwood made his debut at the circuit back in 1957. Mike’s first Honda-mounted victory came at Castle Combe in 1961, setting a lap record in the process.
Adding to the unstinting support of the Hailwood family for the event – to be held on the weekend of 8/9 July – Honda UK’s Neil Tuxworth has added the manufacturer’s corporate weight to the family-run track. The Japanese factory has always enjoyed a special relationship with Castle Combe, and has been for a number of years their unique test venue prior to the Isle of Man TT Races.
The organisers have been granted special permission by Mike’s widow, Pauline, to run some of Hailwood’s iconic machinery at the Wiltshire track where the nine-times world champion and 14-times TT winner rode in only his second ever meeting. On display and in action will be many actual race bikes ridden by Mike the Bike, including the Ducati on which he made his sensational TT-winning comeback in 1978.
Tuxworth added: “We wanted to show our appreciation of Mike by supporting the Hailwood family at this unique event. Honda’s history with Mike goes back well over 50 years and for the past decade we have used the venue for our TT preparations. It’s great that we can support the circuit for this special commemoration of one of Honda’s most famous and respected riders by allowing Guy to ride the bike that took Mike to so much success over the years.”
Contact Rodney Gooch at the Circuit on 01249 782417 or email at [email protected].
Pictured are Guy Martin and Mike Hailwood on the Honda Six