Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. IAN HUTCHINSON LINES UP FACTORY BACKED MV AGUSTA RIDE WITH HAMPSHIRE MOTORCYCLES TSINGTAO RACING TEAM

   Posted on 10:55am Thursday 19th Mar 2015

   Tsingtao Racing /Hampshire MV Agusta has confirmed that eight time TT Race winner Ian Hutchinson will race their factory backed MV Agusta in the Monster Energy Supersport TT Races in 2015.  The Bingley Bullet returned to the TT last year after missing the 2013 meeting through injury.

   The team will campaign the iconic Italian marque's F3 675 machine. It has a unique three cylinder engine with a counter rotating crankshaft - a ground breaking solution previously only seen on MotoGP bikes.

   MV Agusta is one of most widely revered manufacturers at the TT. MV Agustas have won 34 TT races and taken 61 podiums between 1952 and 1972.The first race win came in the 1952 Ultra-Lightweight race, won by Cecil Sandford, while the last was the 1972 Senior won by Giacomo Agostini.   

   While Agostini is the most successful MV Agusta rider at the TT with 10 wins to his name, some of the greatest names in the event's history have also raced on MVs including John Surtees (6 wins), Carlo Ubbiali (5 wins), Mike Hailwood (4 wins) and Tarquinio Provini (3 wins). Other race winners have included Gary Hocking (2 wins) while John Hartle, Bill Lomas, Cecil Sandford and Les Graham have also stood on the top step.

   MV Agusta President Giovanni Castiglioni commented:

   "MV Agustas are indelibly associated with the Isle of Man TT Races and we are looking forward to adding the next chapter in our long and successful history of racing on the Isle of Man.  Ian Hutchinson is a legend around the Mountain Course and it is fitting that he is following in some of the great names that have raced MV's at the TT."

   Dave Tyson, Team Manager, Hampshire MV Agusta Tsingtao Racing commented:

   "I'm really pleased with the signing of Hutchy for this year's IOM TT as well as the North-West 200.  It gives us a great opportunity to challenge at the front and as we all know he is a TT winner."

   He continued: "MV Agusta has a winning tradition at the TT and we are going to do everything we can to do that. I know that Giovanni and all the staff at the Italian factory are supporting us and it means we can have a real shot at it."

   He concluded: "The 2015 F3 is better than every and results in WSS have proven the bikes competitive so we now need to make that happen on the 36 ¾ mile circuit. It is the third time we have been at the TT, in 2013 the team was the first to bring a Chinese bike and this year we hope to bring a trophy back to Hampshire MV Agusta."

2. BIMOTA TO FIELD BEN WYLIE AND BRANDON CRETU DURING 2015 SEASON

   Posted on 12:34pm Monday 16th Mar 2015

   Iconic Italian motorcycle manufacturer Bimota will field seasoned road racers Ben Wylie and Brandon Cretu at this year's Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy as well as the other international road races.

   Wylie and Cretu will campaign onboard the proven Bimota BB3 at the Northwest 200, the Isle of Man TT and the Ulster Grand Prix before finishing the season in China at the Macau Grand Prix.
   The Bimota BB3 has proven itself an outstanding platform in WSBK competition with regular top 10 finishes in their first season and Christian Iddon put the bike on pole at Assen during a round of British Superbikes.

   This will not be the first time Wylie and Cretu have shared an awning, with Cretu working out of the Wylie Racing tent during the 2011 and 2012 TT. Wylie is no stranger to a full season of real road racing, being a regular contender and top 10 finisher, but 2015 will mark the first time an American has been seen to compete at all of the big four internationals.

   Brandon Cretu, Team Rider, commented:

   "After I thought I wouldn't be riding this year, to be able to work up a deal so quickly with Bimota and Ben is a dream come true. Ben and I have known each other since my first TT and I rate him, his family, and his racing program in the highest regard. I can't wait to begin testing with the team and bring not only my riding but also my experience in acquiring sponsors and managing team operations. I think the Bimota BB3 is going to allow me some of my best finishes ever. 2015 is going to be an outstanding year!"

   Ben Wylie, Team Manager/Rider commented:

   "Constantine and myself are delighted to announce our two rider Bimota team for 2015. Bringing Brandon on board completes our vision for a full on attack on the International roads and puts everything in place for a solid season. I am confident we can get the best out of Brandon and having worked together before I feel we can really benefit and learn from each other's experience. I'm looking forward to riding a bit more this year on a very competitive bike and getting myself back to where I know I should be, fighting for top 10 positions in all 3 big bike TT races."

   www.bimota.uk.com

3. MICHAEL RUTTER TO RIDE FOR RIPLEY LAND RACING AT 2015 CLASSIC TT

   Posted on 8:00am Friday 13th Mar 2015

   Michael Rutter will make a return to the Classic TT presented by Bennetts in 2015 and will again line up for the Ripley Land Racing team where he'll be gunning for victory in both the Bennetts 500cc Classic and Okells 350cc Classic TT Races.

   The Midlands rider made his first appearance at the Classic TT last year, where he rode Ian Garbutt's MkII Seeley Matchless in the 500cc event as a last minute substitute for the injured Dan Kneen. It proved to be an inspired decision by Guildford based Garbutt as, despite limited practice time, Rutter went on to break the 500cc single cylinder record with a stunning lap of 109.102 mph. The British Superbike Championship veteran was leading the race and on course for a fairytale victory until a minor problem on the third lap caused him to retire on the Mountain Mile.

   In addition to his outing in the 500cc Race, Rutter will also expand his activities this time around to include the 350cc Classic TT Race where he'll be on board the same 350cc Ripley Land Honda that Chris Palmer rode to victory in 2013.

   Speaking about his return, Rutter said

   "Last year was my first attempt at the Classic TT and I thoroughly enjoyed the event. The G50 Seeley is a lovely bike to ride and was superbly prepared and presented by the team. As for the little Honda, I can't wait to get my hands on it!"

   Team principal Garbutt added

   "After Michael's performance in the 2014 Race, we are delighted to have him back on board for this year. We will not be subjected to last minute pressures as in 2014, and will be able to spend more time testing with Michael to fine tune the bikes to his exact requirements."

4. MICHAEL DUNLOP TO START SUPERBIKE TT RACES FROM NUMBER 3 IN AN ALL STAR LINE UP

   Posted on 12:45pm Thursday 5th Mar 2015

   Entries closed for the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by by Monster Energy, at the end of February, and race organisers have confirmed a truly stellar line-up.

   As in previous years, every class was oversubscribed, presenting the organisers with the huge headache of selecting who made the final start list but they have produced a world class entry suitable for the greatest motorcycle race in the world.

   The RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior races will again create the most intrigue and headlines. With the top 20 seeded riders all having lapped comfortably over 127mph, it's the strongest top end of the field ever witnessed. It's no less impressive further down the order with the top 70 riders having already lapped at over 120mph and with 91 entrants targetting the 72 starting places that are up for grabs, this year's two six-lap races should be absolutely barnstorming affairs.

   Honda Racing's John McGuinness, the 21-times TT race winner now back to full fitness, will lead the field off at number 1. He will be eager to reclaim his King of the Mountain title from Michael Dunlop, whose eight wins in the last two years have seen him rightfully grab the headlines. Now on board the all-new Milwaukee Yamaha R1, Dunlop goes off at number three with James Hillier, another member of the 131mph club, sandwiched between them on the Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki.

   Bruce Anstey, the current outright lap record holder, will start from his customary number five position. The Kiwi is again on the Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Honda and will have that elusive first Superbike victory in his sights.

   After Dunlop's feats of 2014, there are three BMW-mounted riders in the top ten. The Tyco pairing of William Dunlop and Guy Martin go off at numbers six and eight respectively with Michael Rutter starting at number four. The Midland's based rider is expected to switch to the Penz13.Com team.

   Gary Johnson, last year's opening Monster Energy Supersport race winner, will again take the number seven plate, which this time will be the JG Speedfit Kawasaki, Mark Smith-Halvorsen's BSB team making their debut at the TT. The top ten is completed by 2010 hero Ian Hutchinson (PBM Kawasaki) and Conor Cummins, the Ramsey Rocket continuing in the Honda Racing set up where he'll be looking to get his first win after a second and a third last year.

   Dean Harrison, riding for the Mar-Train Racing team, is onboard the second front running Yamaha at number 11 with Keith Amor, making his big bike return, lining up at number 12 on the RigDeluge BMW. Another Superbike returnee, Ryan Farquhar sets off 20 seconds later on his KMR Kawasaki, the former team-mates starting either side of 2013 TT Privateer's Champion Lee Johnston (East Coast Construction BMW) who will again assume the number 13 plate.

   Dan Kneen is set to go at number 15 although the talented Manxman is still in the process of finalising his plans having seen his proposed ride with Millsport Racing fall through. David Johnson (Smiths BMW) goes at 16 followed by last year's sensational newcomer Peter Hickman (Briggs Equipment BMW), Dan Stewart (Wilcock Consulting Honda), the rasping Norton of Cameron Donald and Steve Mercer who completes the top twenty on his privateer Honda.

   Dan Cooper, Ivan Lintin - set for a strong season on the RC Express Racing Kawasaki - Russ Mountford, Jamie Hamilton and consistent Italian rider Stefano Bonetti are all just outside the top twenty. Horst Saiger, who almost broke the 125mph barrier last year, will surely achieve that feat this year with regular top privateers Ben Wylie, Rob Barber, Davy Morgan and Robert Wilson back for more.

   Some of last year's leading lights - James Cowton, Martin Jessopp, Michael Sweeney and Daniel Hegarty - give further proof of the strength in depth of the entry with Jamie Coward and Derek Sheils returning to the fold having both missed out on last year's meeting.

   The entry has further been bolstered by a large influx of leading Manx GP competitors who are already knocking on the door of 120mph+ laps, most notably the winners of last year's Junior, Senior and Lightweight races, Andy Lawson, Andrew Soar and James Neesom, which adds further strength and means the line-up from 20th to 70th is arguably the strongest it's ever been. Others to make the step up include overseas visitors Kamil Holan, victor in the 2012 Newcomers race, Marco Pagani and Bjorn Gunnarsson and Frank Gallagher, Sam West, Anthony Redmond, Ben Rea and Matthew Rees.

   The quality of entry is so high this year that just four newcomers go in the Superbike class with former World Supersport Championship contender Robbin Harms from Denmark the most notable newcomer. Current Irish Supersport champion Derek McGee, the latest rider of great potential to receive backing from Wilson Craig, former Thundersport Champion Tom McHale and Franck Petricola, the Frenchman now fully recovered from injuries sustained at last year's North West 200 meeting are all expected to perform well on their mountain course debuts.

5. 2015 ISLE OF MAN TT RACES FULLED BY MONSTER ENERGY SET FOR SPECTACULAR LAUNCH

   Posted on 10:11am Sunday 1st Mar 2015

   After all of the closed door pre-season deals and negotiations have been completed, fans can now enjoy the star-studded Official Launch of the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, which this year takes place on Tuesday 17th March 2015

   As has now become tradition, the launch event will take place on the Isle of Man at the Villa Marina, hosted by TT TV commentators James Whitham and Steve Parrish who will tease and probe indiscreet answers out of the riders.

   This year's evening will see a number of riders with new teams and manufacturers. Leading the way, as he does on the track, will be Michael Dunlop, who will be discussing his third manufacturer deal in three years as he explains his switch to the factory backed Milwaukee Yamaha effort.

   Michael's old team-mate at Honda Racing John McGuinness, now firmly back on the road to full fitness after last year's injury will be revealing his ambitions for 2015 while Conor Cummins will be outlining how he plans to make the final step up to a TT race win after last year's double podium. Also with a new machine, Michael's brother William will be talking about TAS Racing's high profile switch from Suzuki to BMW.

   TT winners Gary Johnson and Dean Harrison also have new rides this year while outright lap record holder Bruce Anstey and will be talking about how he will be looking to add to his list of titles in 2015.

   In the sidecar class Dave Molyneux will be introducing new passenger and fellow Manxman Ben Binns while fellow race winners Ben Birchall/Tom Birchall and Tim Reeves/Patrick Farrance, Conrad Harrison/Mike Aylott and John Holden will also outline their plans on attempting to return to the top step.

   High profile TT newcomers who will be introduced for the first time on the Isle of Man include former World Supersport rider Robbin Harms and Ireland's Derek McGee, who will be able to pick up tips from last year's sensation Peter Hickman, the fastest ever newcomer, who will share his thoughts on building on last year's success.

   Doors open at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £5 available from the Villa Marina box office.

   Fans unable to see the event live can still tune in to the TT's Official YouTube channel (Official Isle of Man TT) with a live stream of the event available worldwide. You can also tweet your questions to your favourite riders via the TT official twitter account @ iom_tt