LES Belcher was privileged to see most of motorcycle ace Mike Hailwood’s victories.

He has sent in three pictures of ‘Mike the Bike’ and his team, who achieved so much together during his 21-year career on the track.

As we recalled (Memory Lane, September 17), the Oxford-born rider won nine world championships and a record 14 TT races over the mountain course on the Isle of Man.

Mr Belcher, who lives at Botley, recalls that at one time, Mike’s ‘race stable’ included two 500cc Manx Nortons, two 350cc TR-AJSs, two 250cc Mondials and one 125cc Desmondromic Ducati.

He writes: “Whatever bike Mike was given to ride, he could win on it.

“How he could adapt to ride in all classes, especially at the TT, was absolutely amazing.

“I was on the Isle of Man in 1961 when Mike won three TTs and broke down while in the lead on the fourth. I was also there in 1979 after his return to racing when he won the Senior TT.

“You cannot praise this great man enough for what he did for motorcycle racing and I feel privileged to have seen most of his victories.”

Mr Belcher, who rode at scrambles and grass track events himself, recalls a special moment in 1946 when he emerged from Kings’ showroom in Oxford with a new Telefork 500 Matchless, the only new bike he ever owned.

“I rode off into the sunset – it was freezing cold but I was ‘all aglow’ looking down at the shining paint and chrome plating.

“As I dropped into top gear, I felt as if I had gone to heaven – and I’m an atheist.

“I am no longer a member of the Ixion Motorcycle Club but I belong to the Vintage Club. I think I qualify as I am in my 86th year and definitely feel vintage.

“I’m still into bikes and at present working on a 1957 500 Norton ES2.”