New Hailwood Race Replica announced
Aussie firm will build 12 exact replicas of Mike Hailwood’s TT-winning Ducati.
This year’s Isle of Man TT will mark 40 years since Mike Hailwood’s famous comeback win in the 1978 F1 TT, following an 11-year hiatus. And to mark the milestone, Western Australia-based Ducati specialist Vee Two Australia is producing 12 exact replicas of Hailwood’s Ducati F1 racebike, and the production run of a dozen track-only units will commemorate Hailwood’s #12 TT racing number.
Vee Two Australia has secured the original technical drawings for the Ducati’s 883cc 90º, V-twin, bevel-drive engine, as well as the casting moulds, chassis drawings and specifications to ensure the bike is an exact replica of the one which powered Hailwood to his historic 1978 victory.
“The engine used in Mike’s 900 F1 race bike was a prototype race engine designed by the Ducati factory in the mid 70s, of which only around eight units were made,” Andrew Cathcart, general manager of Vee Two, explained.
“When Mike won the TT in ’78, the factory had plans for the engine to power the next series of desmo Ducati sportsbikes but, due to its financial situation, the bevel-drive format was scrapped in favour of the belt-drive that was less costly to manufacture.
“This meant that this ultimate bevel-drive engine wasn’t produced and therefore never made it into the hands of the public. Picking up from where the factory left off, Vee Two are now in a position to offer the engine that powered Hailwood to his legendary victory.”
While the engine will be produced in-house, the chassis is being built in Europe using the original drawings. The bodywork will also be an exact replica, right down to the famous Castrol and Sports Motorcycles stickers on the red-andgreen paintwork. John Keogh, the designer behind a number of Vee Two creations, is presently at its Nannup headquarters applying the finishing touches to the clay modelling which will form the basis of the bodywork.
While confirming the appearance and technical specifications of a 1978 TT Hailwood replica may seem relatively straightforward, the original bike actually changed numerous times during the two-week event and any number of combinations could be classified as ‘exact’.
“So many changes to the chassis, engine and exhaust system were made during the event,” Vee Two’s CEO Brook Henry said. “We aim to produce an exact replica of the bike as it crossed the finish line.”
Henry also revealed Vee Two will draw on the expertise of Steve Wynne, the man who sourced the original 900 F1 from the factory and prepared it for the 1978 race under the Sports Motorcycles banner.
“Being able to ask Steve about things we spot in photographs, and having him separate myth from fact is very exciting,” continued Henry.
Mike’s widow Pauline and his son David have already granted approval to use the legendary racer’s name and, in recognition of this, each of the 12 examples will bear Pauline’s signature.
In true TT fashion, it’s now a race against the clock to have the first bike ready in time for this year’s TT. The event will feature a host of celebrations commemorating Hailwood’s famous victory, and Vee Two plans to unveil its replica at the 2018 event where it will complete parade laps. The bike will also be on show at the IoM’s Classic TT in August.