MEXBOROUGH COMMEMORATES LOCAL WORLD MOTOR RACING CHAMPION WITH HELP FROM HATFIELDS JAGUAR
Mexborough residents and racing enthusiasts will be commemorating local unsung hero, racing driver Mike Hawthorn, on Saturday 16th December, thanks to Formula One devotees from across the country.
Hatfields Jaguar in Sheffield, Mexborough and District Heritage and enthusiast Mr Nigel Webb have joined forces to ensure a plaque of the late, Mexborough-born racing hero is erected in his home town on Hope Street at 12 noon.
Local heritage organisers Giles Brearley and Councillor Ken Wyatt worked hard to bring about the project, some of the funding needed came from the sale of Local History DVD’s along with generous donations from the Public.
Giles Brearley says: “It had bothered us for some time that Mike’s fantastic achievements were unrecognised in his home town, where he was born and raised. At least now he will be commemorated in Mexborough. Many town residents still remember Mike very well”.
Ken Wyatt adds: “The planning and fund-raising for this event has taken much time and effort. We are very grateful to the individuals and organisations that have helped to bring this project to fruition, and are sure that those attending will enjoy a memorable day”.
John Michael (Mike) Hawthorn, heralded as the Michael Schumacher of his day, had a mixed driving career of success and tragedy. The loss of his father in 1954 was shortly followed by his victory at Le Mans in 1955 where he raced a D-TYPE Jaguar. 1958 was Mike’s championship year where he completed the season just one point ahead of Stirling Moss and became the first British World Champion. Soon afterwards, Mike retired from racing and in 1959 he was tragically killed when his car skidded off a country road.
The plaque will be unveiled by Mike’s then fiancée Jean Ireland (née Howarth) amongst some classic cars that Mike raced, including the Le Mans winning D-TYPE currently own by Mr Nigel Webb.
Andrew Jeffery, dealer principal at Hatfields Jaguar, comments: “Mike Hawthorn was a great race car driver and remains an iconic figure to many of today’s Formula One drivers. Jaguar is delighted to have played a part in recognising one of our own regional heroes.”
Longstanding devotee and friend of Mike, Nigel Webb, says: “It is fantastic that we are officially celebrating Mike’s life in this special way and I’m very proud that we are able to unveil this plaque. Both Andrew and I race Jaguars, so it is fantastic not only to keep Mike’s memory alive, but to also maintain the tradition of Jaguars success in motor racing.”
The 1955 Le Mans winning D-TYPE will be on show at Hatfields Jaguar’s Sharrow Vale Road showroom in Sheffield, from Sunday 17th December until Friday 22nd December
