2 wheels to 4 wheels converts and vice versa

Hermann Paul Mueller raced motorcycles nationally in the 1930s, switched to cars and won the 1939 French Grand Prix for Auto Union, and then went back to motorcycle racing after the war and picked up a world championship racing an NSU 250 in 1955. That's more of a Hailwood-like career trajectory though, rather than starting on four wheels then moving to two.

Jeff Ward went from top level Motocross/Supercross (multiple Champion) to Indycar, which I always thought was pretty impressive given that he was pretty decent in the IRL back in the day and finished second in the Indy 500. He was also Scottish-born. Very interesting bloke.
In terms of four wheels to two, I’m struggling though.

Well, this may or may not count, but Mike Hailwood dabbled in F1 during the sixties and then full time after Honda pulled out, till '74. Then his bike comeback 4 year later.

Speaking of Seb, Lewis Hamilton is a very keen biker, including a run on Rossi's bike, so would not be surprised to see him do a race or two after his F1 days.

Edited by kevins, 08 August 2022 - 13:42.

Joe Leonard was A.M.A. champion in 1954/56/57 winning the '57 & '58 Daytona 200.

Local to me in NZ, Geoff Mardon, 3rd World Speedway final in 1952, Followed by being George Begg's factory manager and F5000 works pilot amongst other notable drives in a long car race career in NZ.

When the Classic bike roadracing scene started up here he was heavily involved. His highlight was beating Hugh Anderson on identical machinery at Levels circuit.

His comment at the time was to the effect that he'd always wondered if he should have stayed in Europe and gone roadracing.  A very talented guy on four or two wheels.

Edited by LittleChris, 09 August 2022 - 07:07.

I think it is just about confirmed that it is easier to go from bikes to cars , than the other direction

More lucrative as well.

Hermann Paul Mueller raced motorcycles nationally in the 1930s, switched to cars and won the 1939 French Grand Prix for Auto Union, and then went back to motorcycle racing after the war and picked up a world championship racing an NSU 250 in 1955. That's more of a Hailwood-like career trajectory though, rather than starting on four wheels then moving to two.

Wasn't he also a firefighter, or am I thinking of someone else?

Although not actually riding, Kimi Raikkonen did own a moto cross team in recent years.

I know Murray walker did some motorcycle competition , but no idea if he ever raced a car ?

Kimi Raikonen is currently the team principle for the Kawasaki MX works team.

Nello Pagani of course followed an almost parallel career in cars and bikes in the forties and fifties

Both Bill Ivy and Cal Rayborn raced cars and bikes during the same season, unfortunately both died as well during that season.

Not sure how this fits in, but Jutta Kleinschmidt the German Paris Dakar racer also combined both 2 and 4 wheel racing in parallel between 1993 and 1997. However, she started on bikes and then after 1997 she raced only cars and she finished 3rd in the Dakar in 1999.

There have been many.

Stuart Graham - works Suzuki moved to tin tops

Gary Hocking - MV Augusta works - 350 & 500 world champion 1961. Consider motorcycle racing too dangerous and moved to cars.  Drove in F1 Lotus in 1962 for Rob Walker. Killed in practice 1962.

Greg Hansford. GP racers won 10 races.  Drove Aussie tin tops died during a Supertouring race at Philip Island 1995.

Giacomo Agostini - F1 & F2 in late 70's

Jean-Pierre Beltoise - GP racer 62 - 64.

Johnny Cecotto - 1975 350 world champion. 1982 F2, 83 F1, then tin tops, etc.

Edited by Rodaknee, 12 August 2022 - 21:54.

Although not actually riding, Kimi Raikkonen did own a moto cross team in recent years.

I know Murray walker did some motorcycle competition , but no idea if he ever raced a car ?

Walker rode trials off road bikes.  His father was a road racer.

Neither raced cars.

Both Bill Ivy and Cal Rayborn raced cars and bikes during the same season, unfortunately both died as well during that season.

 

I believe Bill Ivy raced the Jawa to earn money for his car racing.

I think Cal Rayborn was also filling in with bikes whilst earning money to finance his car racing too. Here is a very thorough account of the lead up to his death in NZ: https://www.superbik...in-new-zealand/

There has already been a topic on the forum that has identified the bike racers who went over to cars - see here: https://forums.autos...celled-in-cars/

It's identified pretty much all of the names of racers who have done it. I certainly can't think of any racers who had any degree of success in cars that are missing from that post.

However, one thing is clear, virtually no-one has done it the other way. Going from cars to bikes when starting out in cars first. Schumacher seems to be the only one who has tried it.

Gianfranco Brancatelli decided to experiment with the Italian Superbikes by 1993, if I'm not mistaken and spent two seasons there, but he had no success. I think being in his forties didn't help.

Jacky Ickxs raced 50cc motorcycles in his younger days .Think his farther was a Suzuki importer  

Kazuyoshi Hoshino and Masahiro Hasemi started out in Motocross.

If I'm not mistaken, almost all of the Japanese big household names began in motocross or even motorbike racing.

If I'm not mistaken, almost all of the Japanese big household names began in motocross or even motorbike racing.

Jorge Lorenzo is currently racing Porsche Cup in the Italian series.

Edited by WonderWoman61, 27 September 2022 - 12:20.

Dennis Jenkinson was a World Sidecar champion as  the sidecar man, he raced the odd car, but was most famous for his ride as a passenger to Stirling Moss when winning the Mille Miglia. Has anyone mentioned Nuvolari or Dick Seaman or are you all too young...

Edited by Bloggsworth, 25 September 2022 - 16:20.

Two wheels to four - I suppose anything for an easy life. 

Edited by WonderWoman61, 25 September 2022 - 17:19.

Joie Chitwood?

https://youtu.be/obQGByM3Gqo

Bill "Maverick" Golden

I forgot Jean Behra, who raced, IIRC, a Moto Guzzi.