After leaving F1 and motorsport, he's had a variety of jobs in between sightseeing; a special needs teacher, a helicopter pilot, steeplejack. potwasher and miner. These days he drives a disability bus for council and special schools. Mike doesn't keep many links to racing, but occasionally returns to a couple of historic events. He lives in the south-West of England. In his spare time, likes to surf and kayak. The special needs role came about because of his severely autistic son, but this intelligent, carefree man, never really had the passion for a politicised, commercial sport, a true talent never quite realised. Thackwell's father Ray was a speedway rider and Mike took up motocross as a small boy. Mike won the Hong Kong Kart Grand Prix in 1975 and 1976 and the 1984 European Formula 2 Championship.

Biography last updated 21 Nov 2022