1967 Isle of Man TT

1967 Isle Of Man TT

The 1967 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy is generally acknowledged to be one of the most dramatic TT races of all time. Mike Hailwood, on the powerful but ill-handling, four-cylinder Honda RC181, dueled with Giacomo Agostini on the slightly slower but better handling MV Agusta 500 Three.

The Italian broke Hailwood's lap record on the first lap at a speed of 108.38 mph (174.42 km/h). Hailwood responded with a second lap at 108.77 mph (175.05 km/h) but Agostini still led by 8.6 seconds. At the half-way pit stop of the 6 lap race, Hailwood had cut Agostini's lead to a couple of seconds but he then lost time battering the twist grip back into place with a hammer. Agostini's lead was back up to 11.6 seconds. It was a battle royal as Hailwood, riding at or over the limit, mercilessly pursued the Italian rider. By the fifth lap, Hailwood had made up the difference and the riders appeared to be in a dead heat. The closest of finishes appeared to be in the cards.

Then disaster struck Agostini on the Mountain section when his chain broke at the Windy Corner. He was able to coast back to the pits but, the sprocket was too far gone to make replacement of the chain possible. Hailwood went on to win at a record 105.62 mph (169.98 km/h). His lap record stood for eight years and was only beaten in 1975 by Mick Grant on a much improved circuit with a bike that had an engine one and a half times the size of his, a 750cc Kawasaki.