Mike Hawthorn on TV

[Eric.D]

A bit off topic to mention motor racing here I know but the Nostalgia Forum has plenty of comments on the TV documentary on Mike Hawthorn that was shown on Sunday night. Made me wonder if anyone else on this Forum is old enough or interested enough to remember him?.

[Mike Bell]

I mentioned on the tea break thread that the prog was scheduled, but from the lack of replies guess no one watched it. Unfortunately I was travelling at the broadcast time, but as it is a recently produced documentary hopefully it will be shown again!

I wasn't very old during Mike Hawthorn's successful years, so don't remember much about his racing. I do remember the newspaper coverage of his death, though, and the subsequent debate regarding the cause of the accident.

OT, but I also remember the media coverage when Jim Clark died, and Mike Hailwood. All tragic losses.

[Riley Blue]

It's to be repeated on September 23rd at 9:00am on 'Yesterday'; 'On The Limit' is the name of the programme. I was only 10 when Mike Hawthorn died but I remember hearing about his death on the radio and on TV even though I had only vaguely heard of him. For some reason it stuck in my mind, perhaps because it wasn't too far from where we lived at the time. 'Golden Boy' is well worth reading.

[bauble]

As Eric D knows Mike was my 'hero', his was Stirling, but we admired both of them. I still use memories of Mike as security on the computer, so I am pretty safe it seems.

The programme was not very interesting to those of us who lived through his era, but for tyros would shed some light on our first World Champion, and on the times he raced in, so different from todays Nancy Boys.

We spoke to Mike at Goodwood in 1955 after the Nine Hour Race, even at 1.0pm in the morning he was happy to chat to a couple of lads.

I was off work for three days after Mike died just too upset to get out of bed, we lost a lot of 'friends' in the fifties, and mourn them still, but it was Mike that hit the hardest.

Sadly, bauble.

[Rob29]

Sadly missed this programme as I was watching NASCAR live-anyone know when it will be repeated? Yesterday channel usually old stuff-I remember Mikes last season-was before live TV from Europe-had to wait a few days for BBC 30min film of each round.

[Mike Bell]

Originally Posted by Rob29

Sadly missed this programme as I was watching NASCAR live-anyone know when it will be repeated? Yesterday channel usually old stuff-I remember Mikes last season-was before live TV from Europe-had to wait a few days for BBC 30min film of each round.

See post #3 above. I've put it in my diary and hope am around! 0900hrs seems odd time....

Edit- definitely 9 AM sept 23rd for repeat according to the schedule, but if you're prepared to download the 'UKTV Play' app onto a suitable device, you can watch it on catch up whenever it suits!

[Mike Bell]

Just watched the prog as above. Enjoyed the archive footage, and as baub says, a very different era.....

[owrforever]

What I thought was unique to Mike Hawthorn was that he always wore a tie; more often a bow tie over a necktie. Respect for the sport, taking his task seriously. Now our champion is adorned with body piercings and tattoos, a different era, indeed!

[bauble]

Originally Posted by owrforever

What I thought was unique to Mike Hawthorn was that he always wore a tie; more often a bow tie over a necktie. Respect for the sport, taking his task seriously. Now our champion is adorned with body piercings and tattoos, a different era, indeed!

Anyone interested in learning more about Mike should read 'Challenge Me The Race' and 'Champion Year' both illuminating and amusing reqds.

Advertisment. I have a copy of Mike Hawthorn, Golden Boy I could be parted from.

[Dave Brand]

It's worth noting that this is one of a series - the next one is about Graham Hill.

[Rob29]

Originally Posted by Dave Brand

It's worth noting that this is one of a series - the next one is about Graham Hill.

9pm sunday

[S griffin]

I love the way it is showing the drivers that have been racing through the old days and the only thing I have to say is there are ones that have been shown on the telly before like the Graham Hill and the Jim Clark ones

[coppice]

Originally Posted by owrforever

What I thought was unique to Mike Hawthorn was that he always wore a tie; more often a bow tie over a necktie. Respect for the sport, taking his task seriously. Now our champion is adorned with body piercings and tattoos, a different era, indeed!

It was certainly unique but Hawthorn's public persona was such a parody of the English gent at play that it appears absurd to modern eyes. Hamilton et al are equally representative of their time I think .

[S griffin]

I just think that the people who were in the sport were representing the world of the time they were in

[Mike Bell]

Yup, I've no problem with the way Mike Hawthorn dressed at race meetings, just as I have no problem with the way a modern F1 driver does...... The difference is that nowadays they can't actually race in torn jeans and tee shirt!

[Paul Leek]

Originally Posted by bauble

Anyone interested in learning more about Mike should read 'Challenge Me The Race' and 'Champion Year' both illuminating and amusing reqds.

Advertisment. I have a copy of Mike Hawthorn, Golden Boy I could be parted from.

"Mon Ami Mate" by Cris Nixon which tells the stories of JMH and Peter Collins is also essential reading.

[Erich Stahler]

I saw the documentary, very interesting to me particularly as I live in Farnham his old town where there are still plenty of reminders of him. Consequently I knew quite a bit about him but I didnt realise he was more or less to blame for the 1955 crash at Le Mans which caused many crowd fatalities! Came as quite a shock to me.

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[bauble]

Originally Posted by Erich Stahler

I saw the documentary, very interesting to me particularly as I live in Farnham his old town where there are still plenty of reminders of him. Consequently I knew quite a bit about him but I didnt realise he was more or less to blame for the 1955 crash at Le Mans which caused many crowd fatalities! Came as quite a shock to me.

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Some blamed Mike for the accident, some blamed Macklin, a few blamed Levegh, but as he died and he was French, little was said. However he was probably too old for such a fast car, and at the end of the day it was a combination of the narrow road, no separate pit road, and the huge speed differential of the cars.

To try and apportion blame was pointless ... it was a 'racing accident'. It certainly ruined Macklin's life, for it was his manoeuvre that launched the Mercedes into the barrier, regardless of why he had to move across.

The design of the Merc using I think magnesium alloy also contributed to the casualties.

Having witnessed the accident I have never wanted to return to Le Mans.

[Mike Bell]

That a very balanced view and I think the one most would support. Whatever the cause, the results were absolutely horrific, and a stark reminder of the dangers of motor racing in those days.

[Erich Stahler]

Originally Posted by bauble

Some blamed Mike for the accident, some blamed Macklin, a few blamed Levegh, but as he died and he was French, little was said. However he was probably too old for such a fast car, and at the end of the day it was a combination of the narrow road, no separate pit road, and the huge speed differential of the cars.

To try and apportion blame was pointless ... it was a 'racing accident'. It certainly ruined Macklin's life, for it was his manoeuvre that launched the Mercedes into the barrier, regardless of why he had to move across.

The design of the Merc using I think magnesium alloy also contributed to the casualties.

Having witnessed the accident I have never wanted to return to Le Mans.

Bauble,
Thanks for the clarification from an eye witness, must have been a terrible thing to see. Can understand your feeling about the plave since.

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[Aysedasi]

Indeed so. Much has been said about the accident and every 'general' film about Le Mans (such as the recent 'Tuesday Documentary') just has to include it, sadly. I have to say that I've stood on those tribunes many, many times over the last 32 years and my thoughts have often turned to the appalling carnage in 1955. Even going back a little less in history and Norbert Haug's Flying Circus, you just don't want to think about the outcome had that happened in a place where spectators were crowded. I too understand why you wouldn't want to go back....

[S griffin]

I just want to say that the drivers who were in the accident were just minding their own business and they all met in the middle with each other

I just want to know why the great Stirling was not on the program

[Alan Morgan]

I just want to know why the great Stirling was not on the program

He's spent several months in hospital this year so may not have been well enough.

[midgetman]

I watched it on UK TV web site on my laptop trackside. It is a very interesting documentary to people like me who of course knew of MH but weren't around at the time. I learned quite a bit about the man and events of the time. I thought it was an excellent portrait.

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[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by bauble

Some blamed Mike for the accident, some blamed Macklin, a few blamed Levegh, but as he died and he was French, little was said. However he was probably too old for such a fast car, and at the end of the day it was a combination of the narrow road, no separate pit road, and the huge speed differential of the cars.To try and apportion blame was pointless ... it was a 'racing accident'.Having witnessed the accident I have never wanted to return to Le Mans.

Ami Robert, I dont know if my late dad was at Le Mans this day but I remember from mom's words he did know Levegh. I'm quite convinced he wouldn't disagree with you and may be he could add some other words.
As Mike said, easy to understand you dont want to go back to this place since. On a different mode, my dad's first name is the same as yours, Ami Robert…