One programme. Meanwhile, the first Jaguar-engined HWM sports racing car had appeared in 1953, and this had some success with Abecassis at the wheel. From then on until 1957, the team was involved in sports car racing both in Britain and on the continent, sometimes beating their Jaguar and Aston Martin Works competitors. After John Heath was killed on the 1956 Mille Miglia in Italy in an HWM Works car, Abecassis did not wish to continue and the works racing programme continued for just a year. Motor Trade In 1950 George Abecassis had won his class at Le Mans in an Aston Martin DB2 with co-driver Lance Macklin. This cemented George's relationship with Aston Martin and the following year HWM was awarded the Aston Martin franchise. It remains an Aston Martin dealership to this day. Having been extremely impressed by Lance Macklin's driving performance at Le Mans, George also secured Lance for the HWM team. Lance went on to be one HWM's most loyal drivers. In 1958, Mike Harting arrived at HWM as a partner to George Abecassis. He had previously been the global sales manager for Aston Martin at their Feltham facility just five miles away from the Walton dealership. He had made a strong impression at Aston Martin, still in his twenties, he was likely the youngest sales manager of any manufacturer during that period. Mike's love of cars and people combined with his sheer tenacity meant that he took to it like a duck to water. An ultra-exclusive, low-volume manufacturer, the world of Aston Martin led Mike to meet some very interesting people, both in showrooms and at the race track. One of those contacts was George Abecassis. George had been running the business on his own since the death of John Heath but was keeping an eye out for a suitable partner. As an Aston Martin Works racing driver, George had struck up a relationship with Mike Harting. It became apparent that there was potential to work together. Mike wanted a career that required him to travel less and therefore see more of his family. The HWM business looked like an attractive option so the deal was agreed and they joined forces. George and Mike became great friends across the years that they shared running HWM. It was an ideal partnership. Eventually when George retired, Mike took ownership of the whole of the HWM business and