Sammy Miller returns TT crash Ducati

The Ducati 900SS which 75-year-old legend Sammy Miller rode over the Waterworks at last year’s TT has been reunited with its owner.

Bob Hartmann celebrated its return by promptly riding the bike on a 600-mile round trip to a Ducati rally in Pembrokeshire – where it won the top two awards!

51-year-old fund manager Hartmann says: “I was on the island when Sammy had his crash, but all I heard on the tannoy at the time was ’It’s a shame about Sammy Miller…’ – the worst I thought might have happened would be that it had stalled or something.”

Hartmann helped recover the bike and drove it to Sammy’s Hampshire museum where it underwent a meticulous repair job. “I wish it hadn’t happened, of course, but I’ve met a lot of people because of it and Sammy and his mechanic have done a wonderful job. And my bike will always be ‘that bike’”.

Former championship-winner Miller said of his spectacular prang at the time: “I came out of the shade as I rounded Waterworks bend and I was blinded by the sun. I just couldn’t see where the road was going and before I knew it I was airborne.”

Bob’s 900SS will be back at Sammy’s New Milton, Hampshire museum for an Italian Themed Bikers Day on Sunday 14th June.

The Sammy Miller Museum is at www.sammymiller.co.uk.