It’s time for TT 2026!
BMW gets in the mood for the 2026 TT with a new limited edition M 1000 RR while Hollywood rolls into town for a movie about the race
The 2026 edition of the world-famous Isle of Man Tourist Trophy road races is already proving historic for a number of reasons. Not least for the arrival of the Hollywood circus looking to do the same for the TT as it has for motor racing off the back of Formula 1: Drive To Survive and Brad Pitt’s recent F1 movie.
TT gets the Hollywood treatment
Hence sightings of A-lister Channing Tatum for filming taking place during qualifying and the race fortnight, perfect weather conditions ensuring this is already off to a blistering pace. Tatum isn’t the only one turning heads, though, BMW also taking the opportunity to launch a special commerorative version of its flagship superbike.
To the movie first, though, which is simply called Isle of Man and produced by some of the same Amazon-MGM team involved in the Brad Pitt F1 movie. Its stars include Tatum, Bono’s actress daughter Eve Hewson and veteran Irish actor Ciarán Hinds and is directed by Reid Carolin, who co-wrote the script and previously worked with Tatum on productions including Dog, Logan Lucky and Magic Mike. Although details of the story are currently unknown it looks set to follow the racing progression of Tatum’s character through TT novice to big team success, the race action brought to life on the big screen with onboard footage filmed throughout the event.
Indeed, seasoned TT racer James Hillier sacrificed his personal race hopes this year to ouble for Tatum in the riding shots, John McGuinness and Michael Rutter also been involved while the Isle of Man’s Department for Enterprise's head of motorsport, Paul Phillips said: “The reach of a project like this goes far beyond motorsport. It creates a new opportunity for the Isle of Man and a chance to connect the TT, and the place that makes it possible, with entirely new audiences around the world.”
Filming began during qualifying and also gave TT fans multiple opportunities to snap pictures of Tatum, Hewson and the rest of the cast filming their scenes and share them on the socials.
And what about the real racing?
BMW cashes in
Meantimes BMW, whose M 1000 RR has become the superbike of choice for many TT racers, has also used the event to launch a new, special edition variant.
The new M 1000 RR Limited Edition Isle of Man TT model has been created to mark the 115th anniversary of the TT taking place on the famous Mountain Course. It’s based on the already dominant M 1000 RR as ridden to numerous TT wins by the likes of Peter Hickman and Michael Dunlop and combines exclusive TT design elements along with carefully selected equipment and what BMW calls ‘collector attributes’.
As such it gets the usually optional M Competition Package as standard and a bespoke British Racing Green livery with graphical representations of the Mountain Course. The exclusivity is marked with an engraved edition number milled into the top yoke, as well as a certificate of authenticity.
It comes with a rear paddock stand, an ‘assembly stand mounting’ and even an M and TT branded motorcycle mat. Priced a whopping £43,990, just 115 are being made, with a just five destined for the UK.
