Mike Hailwood is arguably the greatest motorcycle racer of all time. During his 10-year Grand Prix career, Mike the Bike won 50% of his 152 race starts. This resulted in 76 wins, 112 podiums and 79 fastest laps in racing. In addition to this illustrious record, Hailwood also dominated the Isle of Man TT, taking 12 victories in the 125cc, 250cc, 350cc and 500cc classes between 1961 and 1967.
The living legend said goodbye to the Grand Prix circuit and the Snaefell Mountain Course in 1967, but he wasn't done racing. After a four-year stint in Formula 1 (1971-1974), Mike Hailwood wanted to get back on motorbikes. Eleven years after his last motorcycle races, many doubted the 38-year-old's prospects at the 1978 Isle Of Man TT.
Manchester dealer Sports Motorcycles believed in it, backing Mike Hailwood with the famous Ducati 900 SS. The nine-time World Champion went on to win the race that year aboard the iconic Ducati, cementing Mike Hailwood's place in the record books.
The story is so revered in the motorcycling community that Hollywood star Eric Bana purchased the rights to produce a film based on the improbable comeback. With Eric Bana's company Pick Up Truck Pictures helming the series, the Australian actor plans to write, co-direct and star in the Hailwood biopic.
Of course, accuracy is essential to telling the famous story of this race. Unfortunately, after the 1978 race, Ducati capitalized on Mike Hailwood's success by selling around 7 models of the Hailwood Replica. But these production examples did not feature the same racing engine that powered Mike Hailwood to victory.
Luckily, Vee Two, located in Western Australia, is the go-to store for faithful Ducati 900 SS reproductions. Vee Two owner Brook Henry purchased the design and casting patents for a Ducati endurance engine, which the Bologna brand inserted into Mike Hailwood's machine in 1978. He then reproduced the group powertrain and introduced the Vee Two Hailwood in 2018. Each replica requires 18 months to build and Vee Two only plans to produce 12 units at £110, or around €000.
As luck would have it, Brook Henry cleared the rights to Vee Two Hailwood at the same time that Eric Bana contacted the Mike Hailwood Foundation. These conversations led Eric Bana to commission two versions of Vee Two Hailwood for the upcoming production. Brook Henry's meticulous craftsmanship may maintain a legend, but we can't wait to see his work on the big screen.
