Mike Hailwood’s TT-winning Ducati 900SS lives again in Eric Bana biopic

More than two years have passed since we ran an article about plans to turn the story of motorcycling legend Mike Hailwood into a blockbuster movie starring Australian actor Eric Bana.

Well, while a lot has certainly occurred since February 2020, those plans have not only matured but they are beginning to take shape in the form of a faithfully recreated replica of the Ducati 900SS that forms the basis for the film’s plotline.

First a little background. A true great on two wheels, few people in the world have attained the feats Hailwood achieved over a long career, the Briton - affectionately known as ‘Mike the Bike’ - clinching 76 wins and 112 podiums at GP level, while a transition into four-wheel competition saw him collect podiums in F1 as well.

However, it is his success at the Isle of Man TT - 14 wins and 19 podiums - that many prioritise as his greatest achievements, with one of these going on to serve as inspiration for this biopic.

If you don’t know the story, Hailwood made a surprise return to two-wheel racing at the 1978 Isle of Man TT. However, after 11 years off a motorcycle and even some years after he wound up his F1 career, Hailwood was overlooked by the biggest teams before securing the use of a Ducati 900SS supplied by Manchester’s Sports Motorcycles.

We won’t spoil the ending if you want to wait to see it on the big screen, but let’s just say the tale went down in motor racing folklore.

While Ducati capitalised on Hailwood’s performance by launching a special edition version decked out in the same eye-catching red and green livery at the time, Bana - who starred in Troy and Munich - has turned to Vee Too in Western Australia to faithfully recreate this particular TT Ducati to be used in the film.

They aren’t just for the screen though. Vee Too will painstakingly craft a replica made-to-order at a cost of £110,000. Just make sure you don’t need it right away as each takes 18 months to build.