Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. Isle of Man TT Tickets selling fast with only 100 days to go to TT 2015

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 19th Feb 2015

   With 100 days to go before the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, the seat swapping madness and behind the scenes deals of the close season are well and truly behind us.

   All of the leading riders having confirmed their machines for this year's TT Races and the debate is whether the new factory supported Yamaha ride for 11 time champion Michael Dunlop and new BMW machinery for TAS Racing's Guy Martin and William Dunlop will help them in their head to head against Honda Racing's established duo of John McGuinness and Conor Cummins and Valvoline by Padgetts Racing's Bruce Anstey, the outright lap record holder, with the latter trio undoubtedly benefiting from the stability of riding the same machines again this year.

   Road Racing fans can get up close and personal and see the drama of the races as it unfolds with official TT fanzone and VIP hospitality packages designed to put fans at the very heart of the action. Tickets are selling fast, with the Glencrutchery Road Grandstand seats all snapped up shortly after going on sale but there is still limited availability for the qualifying sessions.

   The three course fanzones - Nobles Park, Ballacrye and the Creg Ny Baa - have been sited in these locations because of the spectacular racing that each offers, from the logic defying speed through the grandstand, to the stunning sight of airborne bikes at the jump at Ballacrye and the long view back up the mountain that spectators enjoy as the riders approach the right hander at the iconic Creg Ny Baa. Quaylifying and race tickets can be purchased from £5 to £30.

   The ultimate TT experience is available at the TT's VIP Club with guests enjoying the chance to rub shoulders with some of the legends of motorsport as well as other celebrity visitors. You'll also get the chance to hear from the the first three riders from each race who'll share their thoughts in an exclusive interview with compere Charlie Williams, himself no stranger to standing on the top step at the TT.

   The package comes complete with complimentary breakfast and lunch as well as all day access to the bar. This year a new grandstand is being installed as part of the hospitality complex itself, offering guests a convenient solution to enjoy the VIP club's facilities as well as the best of the race action. The VIP packages can also be upgraded to Platinum which includes your very own race guide in the shape of an ex TT legend who'll share his own experiences and insights. You'll also receive the unrivalled experience of a closed road lap of the course in one of the official course cars.

   To reserve your tickets today visit www.iomtt.com or alternatively contact Regency Travel on 01624 694456 or Duke Marketing on 01624 640000.

2. AMOR SET FOR FULL TIME TT RETURN IN 2015

   Posted on 9:00am Thursday 19th Feb 2015

   AMOR SET FOR FULL TIME TT RETURN IN 2015
   
   Former Honda factory rider Keith Amor is set to make a renewed road racing challenge this season. The 42 year old Scot, who made his initial comeback last year after a shoulder injury forced him out of the sport in 2011, will return to the premier class on a 2015 spec BMW S1000RR at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

   Enjoying backing from RigDeluge, a fire suppressant safety systems company in the oil and gas industry, the former Supersport TT podium finisher will also have a brace of World Supersport spec CBR Hondas for the 600cc class.

   "I will have six bikes in total, three BMWS and three Hondas." Amor explained. "The plan is to have two stockers, one set up for the dry and the other for the wet, alongside the superbike. I am getting Motorrad support from Germany with engines, electronics and data and we will run Ohlins factory suspension on all the bikes."

   With his shoulder now fully repaired following two major operations, Amor says he wants to emulate his 2010 season that brought him international wins at the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

   "That was my best ever season and I want to go back to what I know and what I ran then." he said. "I was on a low budget in 2010, it's anything but that now." he explained. I am in a really good position and this is my job for the next two years. I have my brother Guy as my mechanic setting the bikes up for me and I just have to build myself up to race speed."

   Amor's first test will be at Cartagena in March and he will take in the Easter short circuits meetings at Bishopscourt and Kirkistown before returning to the roads at the Tandragee 100 in May. "I like Tandragee and it is a good place to sort out if the bike is going to work at the TT." he says.

   In spite of finishing on the TT podium five times, a Mountain course win still eludes the Stirling based racer and remains the principal goal for 2015. "I would like to get a TT win and then I could retire happy."

   There will be no return to the smaller class that he made his racing comeback in last year, when he finished fourth in the Bikenation Lightweight TT Race following two top ten finishes in the Supersport class.

   His fastest lap around the Mountain Course, 130.177, his only 130+mph lap, was set on his final lap on a Superbike, the 2011 PokerStars Senior TT, when he finished in fifth place. Despite not racing a 1000cc bike around the Isle of Man since 2011, his fastest lap places him 14th on the all-time list of fastest laps.

   www.iomtt.com

3. TT STAR DAVID JOHNSON TO MAKE CLASSIC TT DEBUT WITH TEAM YORK SUZUKI

   Posted on 4:00pm Wednesday 18th Feb 2015

   TT STAR DAVID JOHNSON TO MAKE CLASSIC TT DEBUT WITH TEAM YORK SUZUKI Spacer
   
   Australian ace David Johnson will make his debut at the Classic TT presented by Bennetts later this year, contesting the Motorsport Merchandise Formula One race for Team York Suzuki/Big Dog Classic Racing.

   The Adelaide resident will ride an F1 1100cc Suzuki for Kevin Pearson's York-based team and although it will be his first time at the meeting, Johnson is no stranger to the Classic racing scene as he is a regular at January's Phillip Island Classic Festival where he has scored numerous wins and podiums on a wide variety of machines.

   The 31-year old has excelled around the Mountain Course after making his debut at the TT in 2010 where he won the coveted Newcomers Trophy. Since then, he has gone on to accumulate 9 silver and 6 bronze replicas with three top ten finishes.

   His best result came in last year's RL360º Superstock Race when he placed a brilliant fourth while tenth in the PokerStars Senior TT Race saw him record a new personal best lap of the 37 and ¾ mile circuit at 129.128mph, to make him the 18th fastest rider ever.

   A former racer in the 1980's Pearson set up his own team, named Big Dog Classic Racing, with support from the York Suzuki Centre, and has been a staunch supporter of both the Classic TT and the Post Classic races that took place at the Manx Grand Prix between 2010 and 2012.

   2014 saw Russ Mountford ride for the team, claimin a brilliant third place in the Motorsport Merchandise Formula One Classic TT race helped by a lap of almost 121mph.

   Speaking about the news he will make his Classic TT debut, David Johnson commented:

   "I've been following the progress of the Classic TT the past two years and really wanted to be involved. I've done a lot of Classic racing in my career and I can't wait to get out on the Mountain Circuit for the first time on something other than a modern Superbike. I'm really grateful to Kevin at Team York Suzuki for giving me the chance to ride what is obviously a very fast motorcycle having finished on the podium last time out. Hopefully I can get it back into the winners enclosure in 2015."

4. Dunlop commits to Classic TT

   Posted on 4:00pm Tuesday 17th Feb 2015

   Today Dunlop announces its renewed status as Official Tyre Partner of the TT Races and has extended the agreement to include Sponsorship of the Classic TT. The decision follows the tyre manufacturer's massive success at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races and underlines their commitment to motorsport on two and four wheels.

   Dunlop has had unprecedented success at the Isle of Man TT and at the 2014 TT Races took 13 out of a possible 15 podium places in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes. At the Classic TT, Bruce Anstey claimed first place in the esteemed race on a Dunlop-shod Grand Prix YZR500 Yamaha.

   The Classic TT Races take place between 29th and 31st August as part of the the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, with three races over the famous 37 ¾ mile TT Mountain circuit, the VMCC Festival of Jurby, a stunning Parade Lap and additional activity including exhibitions of racing motorcycles, legendary rider autograph sessions and a paddock carnival.

   Tony Ward, Dunlop's Brand Manager, said: "Dunlop is a company that was born to win. Ever since John Boyd Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre to give his son competitive advantage in a tricycle race more than 125 years ago, Dunlop has been racing to win at event such as the Isle of Man TT.

   "We are delighted to extend our association with the Isle of Man by becoming sponsor of the Classic TT, an event that continues to build momentum in the industry year on year."

5. WILLIAM DUNLOP JOINS TEAM NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM RACING FOR 2015 CLASSIC TT CAMPAIGN

   Posted on 10:56am Monday 16th Feb 2015

   William Dunlop has joined the newly formed Team National Motorcycle Museum Racing for the 2015 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts. The museum, based in the West Midlands, is home to the largest collection of British Motorcycles in the world with over 100 marques including BSA, Ariel and of course Norton.

   Dunlop will ride one of the museum's original and iconic Rotary Norton bikes from the 1992 British Championship season in the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Classic TT Race on Monday 31st August 2015.

   Dunlop has three podium finishes in the TT Races Supersport class in the last three years and also finished runner up in the inaugural Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race in 2013.

   The Rotary Norton really came to the fore in Steve Spray's 1989 British Championship winning campaign and the 1990 TT campaign that saw Trevor Nation and William's father Robert achieving podium positions in the Formula 1 TT Race with Robert also winning the North West 200 in the same year. However the bike is most famous for Steve Hislop's 1992 Senior TT win when he rode it to victory against the might of the work's Yamaha of Carl Fogarty.

   Brian Crighton, the original Rotary Norton engineer, who will be joining Team National Motorcycle Museum for the Isle of Man project commented:

   "This bike was originally designed and conceived for short circuit racing so we have a lot of work to do to adapt it for the challenges of the TT Mountain Course which is a unique and hard place to race. The challenge that we are facing is very similar to the challenge that the Norton faced in 1992 adapting Steve Hislop's bike."

   James Hewing, Director of the National Motorcycle Museum, commented:

   "The founder of the museum Roy Richards had a huge passion for British bikes, particularly Nortons, and he always liked to see the bikes actually running rather than just being displayed. I'm sure that he would have approved of this campaign and his two sons are right behind us."

   He continued:

   This is a great project and I'm particularly pleased that we have got Brian Crighton on board as we couldn't even begin to try and do what we are doing without him as part of the team."

   As well as the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 Race, the museum will also be supporting the 'Norton the Rotary Years' parade lap presented by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company'. Scheduled for Monday 31st August, it will see fifteen Rotary Nortons appearing on the Mountain Course ridden by some of the original riders associated with the brand including Trevor Nation and Steve Spray as well as riders who will represent some of the other great names who rode the bikes including John McGuinness representing Hislop on the 588 NRS Norton. All of the bikes will also be on display throughout the four days of the Classic TT festival.

   Commenting at the team launch at the MCN London Motorcycle show yesterday William said:

   "With my father's history on the bike this was too good an opportunity to turn down. It was his favourite bike as it was a real challenge to ride and the Isle of Man will be a great place to race it. The Classic TT is now my favourite meeting of the year so I'm particularly excited to be on the Rotary Norton."