Isle of Man – 14-time TT winner Peter Hickman will campaign the iconic Norton Rotary for the WizNorton Racing Team at the 2026 Classic TT.
WizNorton Racing return to the Classic TT in 2026 with Peter Hickman campaigning the WRS 588cc Rotary in the Formula 1 race. The outing sees one of the Mountain Course’s most accomplished competitors aboard one of road racing’s most recognisable motorcycles.
Since first competing at the Classic TT in 2014, WizNorton has become synonymous with the unmistakable sound and spectacle of the Norton Rotary, preserving the legacy of the famous machine while continuing to demonstrate its pace around the 37.73-mile course.
Last year, Michael Dunlop MBE recorded the fastest-ever lap by a rotary-powered machine on the Mountain Course, lapping at 123.505mph to surpass Steve Hislop’s benchmark from the 1992 Senior TT. Although unofficial, the achievement served as a reminder of the remarkable performance delivered by Hislop and the factory Norton Rotary more than 30 years earlier, cementing its place among the most revered machines in TT history.
The WRS 588cc Rotary has previously been campaigned by Josh Brookes in 2017 and 2018, Shaun Anderson in 2023 and 2024, and Michael Dunlop in 2025. Dunlop’s own connection with the Norton Rotary runs deep, with his father, Robert Dunlop, having raced similar machinery during the period, including the 1992 Senior TT.
For Hickman, the opportunity carries a significance that extends beyond just racing the legendary machine. His connection with the Isle of Man TT stretches back long before he first lined up on the Mountain Course.
His father, Dave Hickman, was a familiar figure on the British racing scene throughout the 1970s and 1980s, first as a rider and later as an engineer. The Burton upon Trent rider claimed victory in the 1977 Lightweight Manx Grand Prix before returning to the Island as an integral member of both the factory Norton and Honda teams, where his engineering expertise contributed to some of the era’s most successful racing programmes.
Dave also played a key role in the development of the original Norton Rotary project, helping transform a former police-specification motorcycle into the race bike that evolved into the legendary John Player Special-backed Norton team. Peter’s opportunity to ride the WizNorton Rotary at the Classic TT therefore represents the continuation of a family story that began almost 50 years ago on the Isle of Man.
Hickman, from Louth, Lincolnshire, made his TT debut in 2014 and has since established himself as one of the defining riders of the modern era. A 14-time TT winner and the current outright lap record holder at 136.358mph, he has claimed victories across the Superbike, Superstock, Supersport and Supertwin classes. Renowned for both his speed and technical understanding, he brings a wealth of Mountain Course experience to one of the Classic TT’s most iconic machines.
Peter Hickman said: “I’ve been lucky enough to ride some incredible bikes over the years, but this one’s a bit different. The Norton Rotary is one of those bikes that every TT fan knows; it’s impossible not to appreciate what it means to the history of the event. It’s even more special because of my Dad’s involvement with the original project.
“The guys at WizNorton have put a huge amount of work into the bike over the years and it’s a privilege to be able to ride it. The Classic TT is all about celebrating these incredible machines. I’m looking forward to getting out on the Mountain Course and seeing what we can do.”
Andy Wilson, WizNorton Racing added: “To have the fastest rider ever to lap the TT Course on our bike is an honour in itself and for Peter to have such a close personal connection to the Norton Rotary story makes it even more special.
Over the last 12 years we’ve continuously developed the bike, and that progress has accelerated significantly in recent seasons thanks to the input of Josh Brookes, Shaun Anderson and Michael Dunlop.
Preparing a Norton Rotary to tackle four laps of the Mountain Course is never the easy option, but we’re confident the current specification is the best it’s ever been.
Peter is an exceptional rider and, combined with Dave’s knowledge, we’re confident we can surprise one or two people.”
When the Classic TT returns next month, one of the Mountain Course’s most iconic machines will once again echo around the Island in the hands of one of its fastest riders.
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©Words/Images above are from an official press release posted courtesy Isle of Man TT Races
For more Isle of Man TT Races news head to our dedicated page: Isle of Man TT Races News Home Page
or head to the official Isle of Man TT website iomttraces.com
What are the Isle of Man TT Races
There are very few sporting events in the world with the tradition, heritage, and prestige of the Isle of Man TT Races. Despite being the world’s oldest continuous motorsports event, the TT remains, however, as fascinating and relevant today – continuously inspiring new generations of riders to come and race the Mountain Course.
Largely unchanged since 1911, the 37.73 miles of public roads simply capture the imagination like no other motorcycling venue can. The TT Course, whilst difficult to learn, is even harder to master – requiring immense levels of skill and concentration as speeds nudge an incredible 200mph.
2026 TT Schedule is available at – https://www.iomttraces.com/racing/page/schedule/
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TT+ brings viewers closer than ever to the riders, machines, and stories that define the TT. Available online and across smart TVs, mobile devices, and tablets, TT+ transforms how fans around the world experience the Mountain Course.
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