This years Isle of Man turned out to be a very busy and enjoyable TT for Dave and Pauline Hailwood. Sponsored by Ducati, this year’s event was blessed with good weather and there were no delays to some very exciting racing.

Dave and Ron Mullin with the 500cc 4cyl. Honda Replica.

Debbie Wiggins, the Marketing and Events Manager for Ducati UK hosted a wonderful display of very special Ducati’s in the splendid new Pavillion building in Nobles Park. Sent over for the occasion from the Ducati Museum in Italy, they included a Desmo 250 twin, raced by Mike in 1960, and of course the 900 SS, which Mike raced to victory in the famous 1978 TT. Other bikes displayed included those raced by Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and the 2007 MotoGP winner Casey Stoner.

It was Ducati’s 50th year of participation in the TT, and to celebrate the anniversary Debbie also organised a ‘Dinner with the Stars’ fund raising event at the famous and excellent Creg ny Baa restaurant. Pauline and Dave were invited along with Paul Smart, Sammy Miller, Jamie Witham, Michael & Tony Rutter, and Carl Fogarty, and the Ducati owners and friends made a great atmosphere.
Hosted by a very funny and witty Jamie Witham, in excess of Stg.3000. was raised from the auction of items donated by the stars, and the proceeds were divided between the TT Riders Fund and Riders for Health, two very good causes.

Dave heading off on the Parade Lap at the 2008 TT

Dave had a trade stand behind the Grandstand for his new business Hailwood Motorcycle Restorations Ltd. and displayed two beautiful bikes which his company builds to order, an Egli Vincent 1200 and a Norvin, which drew a lot of interest. Another beautifully prepared bike on display was a 500cc 4 cyl. Honda replica owned by Ron Mullin, and this proved to be an ‘instant crowd’ puller every time Dave fired it up.

The beautiful 1200cc Egli Vincent.

The equally beautiful Norvin.

Pauline and Dave were kept very busy signing copies of the new ‘Mike Hailwood’ book by Andreas Illg, the new Nolan x-lite ‘Mike Hailwood’ replica helmets, and T-shirts apart from the various other photos, books and memorabilia that fans brought along.

In an interview with Ariane Barua of the BBC, (see article) Pauline said “"People remember Mike with such fondness. It's as though meeting and talking to me is a way for them to get close to him once again." Earlier that day Pauline and her son Dave had been talking to a man with tears in his eyes as he remembered his racing hero. "Sometimes I just want to hug these people. It's very moving."

Dave Hailwood waiting to set off in the Ducati Parade Lap.

On Friday, Pauline had the honour of starting the Ducati Parade Lap in which Dave took part, and enjoyed very much. This was followed by the Senior race in which John McGuinness equalled Mike’s record of 14 TT wins. At the prize giving afterwards, Pauline and Dave gave John their sincere congratulations and said that the record “couldn’t have gone to a nicer fellow”. Will he beat the record next year?

Pauline and Dave congratulate John McGuinness,
equalling Mike's 14 TT wins. Photo by Rowan Timms.

Pauline and Dave would like to thank Paul Phillips (event organiser), Adrian Earnshaw (Isle of Man Tourist Board), Debbie Wiggins (Ducati UK), Frances (in the 38th milestone) and all concerned for a great TT.

Adrian Earnshaw, Minister of Tourism, chats to Dave after his ride
in the Parade Lap.

Dave, Debbie Wiggins of Ducati UK, and Pauline after the Parade Lap.

Samantha, a finalist 'Nancy' of the TV show 'I'd do Anything'
visited the VIP area on Friday, and Pauline snapped her here
with Daisy and Geoff Duke.