Love of Racing Mike instilled by his father. Helvud Sr. made his fortune trading motorcycles in Oxfordshire. Business flourished, and the father did not spare the funds for his son hobby. Mike, who made the first steps in motor sport, have at their disposal the most competitive car. However, the technical side of racing little interest Helvuda junior. To fill this gap, my father gave it to the factory Triumph, located in the vicinity of Birmingham. But the restless, Mike was not going to waste precious time on the assembly of motorcycles and soon fled to South Africa to gain experience and prove that he receive the best technique is not only the rights of daddy's son. Therefore, when in 1958, Mike Helvud debuted in World Championship ring-road motorcycling, his account has had many victories and trophies.
Eighteen year old Briton has established itself as a very talented driver who can speak in several classes in one race weekend. Moreover, to adapt to the technology it took literally 5 - 10 minutes. In the same year, Mike made his debut in the Tourist Trophy on the Isle of Man in the classes 125cc, 250cc, 350ss and 500ss, and the results were very encouraging. Two years later he became the first rider in history to win three TT in one week! In the 125cc and 250cc, he brought the victory Honda, and only a technical defect prevented him from winning in the AJS in the class of 350ss. And his victory in the King class in the memorable defeat of Norton became dominant in those years the team MV Agusta. The Italians immediately invited him to his team, and in 1962, Mike brought MV Agusta 500ss victory in the class and vice-championship in the 350ss.
Stunned opponents remembered that the speed in the turns Helvud was 10 km / h more than the others. He does not rate even dropped before the closed turns. Intuitive sense enabled him to trace its trajectory just guessing. Mike came out the winner of the most incredible situations! In 1965, during a race on the Isle of Man Helvud suffered a serious accident, but rising after the fall, once again jumped into the saddle and won the race, despite the injuries and damage to the motorcycle. Those who saw Mike on a motorcycle, said that the man and the machine seemed to have formed a coherent whole. However, when Mike decided to try his hand at racing, it became clear that finding a common language with a four-technique is much more complicated. In 1963 he went to Formula 1 after his rival and mentor to John Surtees Racing. But, unlike Surtees, who eventually replaced two wheels to four, Helvud continued to participate in motorcycle racing. Torn between competitions, which are often held in different parts of the world, Mike lost his concentration. And if the natural gift of motorcycle racing rescued Helvuda (Mike dominated the class at the MV Agusta 500ss and won the title in the 250cc and 350ss for Honda), then in his racing business was getting worse and worse.
The world of racing Mike seemed more mercenary and less friendly than society riders. By the same car, in his opinion, more unpredictable than a motorcycle. These two extra wheels all the time I was introduced into error - Helvud joked. The problem was that having a terrific sense of balance, which was so necessary for performances on the bike, he tried to move him to the car, which, of course, was absolutely unnecessary. Mike did not realize that the bike is relatively simple, and the car can be customized in different ways. Extra wheels Helvudu hindered not only on the track, but also outside it. Former Formula 1 driver Peter Genthin said: When I sat behind the T-shirt on the bike, it felt safer than in your favorite chair, but if he be driving a car is always something happening. One day, Mike somehow inexplicably failed to miss the bull, crossed the road. Vehicle speed at the time of the collision with the poor animals exceeded 100 miles / hour, so hit so huge! I was under the dash, and Mike flew through the windshield. The bull was everywhere, but most of all scared me a horn, stuck in the back of my seat.
In 1967, Mike once again won three "Tourist Trophy" for Honda in the 250cc class, 350ss and 500ss. Name Helvuda continually led the final minutes of the Championship. In motorcycle racing, Mike has won nine titles, including four - in the prestigious 500-cc class, and set an absolute record for most Grand Prix wins. The audience loved the British. Despite the crazy popularity Helvud always distinguished modesty. I hate to be famous, - he muttered to himself, signing autographs.
Mike has not changed and the event, which brought him international fame not only in the amateur motorsport. In 1973, during the Formula 1 GP in South Africa in stasis after the collision, the car crashed BRM Helvuda Clay Regatstsione. The car caught fire the Swiss and the driver was injured in a fiery trap. Lightning clambered from the cockpit of his car, Mike Clay pulled out of a burning car, receiving numerous burns. Selflessness Helvuda was awarded the highest award for valor for British civilians - from the hands of the British queen, he received a medal of King George.
A serious accident occurred to him a year later at the German GP, put an end to his speeches in the F-1. But the booming roar of motorcycles and intoxicating feeling of rivalry between Mike chased every night. Therefore, despite the entreaties of his wife and the terrible pain in my ankle crippled, he decided to return to motorcycle racing. For his triumphant return Helvud chose chilling track on the Isle of Man. More than 10 years have passed since that day when the last time Mike deduced his bike at the start of the competition. Other machinery and equipment, other brakes, tires other - but if he felt under the power of a 900-bottoms Ducati Sport, like everything fell into place. Mike listened to the motorcycle, and he seemed to obey the rider. This harmony is understandable only to him made him completely happy. He enjoyed every kilometer route, which many consider this torture. 40-year-old Briton has done the impossible - he won again, with the closest pursuer behind him as much as 2 minutes! The following year Helvud again took part in the "Tourist Trophy". At this time a 500-cubic Suzuki Grand Prix. Mike was going to come in the final race of the season-79, but the treacherous track Donington Park is not favored the British. During exercise his motorcycle hit a certain waste, slipped and flew off the track. In this accident, a broken collarbone Helvud, and unfortunately, many of his fans never had the opportunity to participate in the races.
March evening in 1981 his wife sent Mike to buy food for dinner. He still favored the motorcycles, but his children were so anxious to go with him, that a loving father could not resist and went to the city by car. It was already dark, the road was slippery. Suddenly, a truck driver who was driving the car in front Helvud began to expand his car. Mike could not avoid a collision ... Perhaps he once again prevented these ''extra'' wheels. Along with him died in the accident and his little daughter.
0 коммент.:
Post a Comment