April 2nd
Mike Hailwood born Great Milton, Oxfordshire, UK. Hailwood was a nine-time World Champion, including four 500cc titles in succession. He is widely regarded as the greatest roadracer ever.
BSA leased Daytona International Speedway April 2-5 and employed Dick Mann, Yvone Duhamel, and Ray Hempstead to ride for long-distance speed record attempts on the Rocket 3. They set a lap speed record of 131.790 mph along with numerous others. The BSA surely was a rocket.