Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. PADGETT’S CONFIRMS NEW TITLE SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH VALVOLINE

   Posted on 10:00am Thursday 10th Apr 2014

   Clive Padgett’s road race team has been given a boost for 2014 with the announcement that the squad will have a new title sponsor - oil giant Valvoline. 

   The rainbow coloured machines of the Batley based Honda outfit have finished on the podium in 20 of the last 25 TTs they’ve raced in, including Ian Hutchinson’s unprecedented five-in-week in 2010. 

   It was this track record that clinched the deal for Valvoline boss, Dr Simon Cupples.

   “Padgett’s have a helluva track record in racing and we were looking for a winning team that would give us the opportunity to demonstrate the technology and relevance of our products- Padgett’s provide that opportunity.” he said as the deal was signed in the Yorkshire dealer’s busy showroom last week.

   The tie-up will be Valvoline’s first significant involvement in bike racing since the company sponsored Niall McKenzie in Grands Prix in 1993 on the WCM Yamaha. Kiwi Bruce Anstey will be the team’s main rider for 2014 as he chases down his 10th TT win.

   “I don’t want to sound corporate because I’m definitely not corporate.” Clive Padgett said. “But it is great to be approached by a company like Valvoline because of our success on the track. We see ourselves as a ‘mates racing ‘ team and this deal will ensure we are able to keep doing what we do.”

   The new colours will have their first public showing at the opening two BSB rounds at Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, with Kiwi Bruce Anstey and Aussie Glen Richards riding Fireblades in the Superstock races.

   John McGuinness, who will ride the Valvoline/Padgetts Hondas in the RL 360 Superstock and Monster Energy Supersport races at the Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy alongside his official factory prepared SP Fireblade Superbike, also welcomed the oil company’s backing.

   “We will try to deliver the goods for Clive and Valvoline this year. The only problem I see is that these jackets are a bit white and they will get dirty pretty quickly when we’re working on the bikes.”   

2. DUNLOP SETS TARGET OF SIX TT RACE WINS IN A WEEK WITH LIGHTWEIGHT TT RACE ENTRY

   Posted on 9:11am Friday 4th Apr 2014

   Now entering its third year, the Bike Nation Lightweight TT Race promises to be the best yet at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, not only numerically but also in quality with many of the leading TT riders competing in the three lap race.

   Michael Dunlop has his sights set on making TT history by becoming the first rider to win six races in a week. His four victories in 2013 equalled fellow countryman Phillip McCallen's 1996 record and is one less than Ian Hutchinson’s unique 2010 campaign. He will ride a new McAdoo Racing ER-6 Kawasaki machine and starts from number 6 on the grid.

   Speaking about the news Michael commented: “It is fair to say that I haven’t really given the Lightweight Race my full attention in the past, but this year we are going all out to win this race and try and make it six wins from six starts. It’s a massive target, but that is what we go racing for and McAdoo Racing has gone all out on building me a race-winning bike. I’m looking forward to the challenge and seeing if we can put one over the established riders and teams in this class.”

   Dunlop will not have it all his own way however. Ryan Farquhar and James Hillier, the 2012 and 2013 Lightweight race winners, return to a grid that boasts an excellent blend of youth and experience, with many of the TT’s established guard being pitched against the sport’s up and coming talent.

   Hillier has the number 2 plate on his Quattro Plant / Muc-Off Kawasaki with the returning Farquhar setting off ten seconds later on his KMR Kawasaki / SGS International. McKinstry Racing rider Ivan Lintin, who has finished seventh and fourth in the last two years, narrowly missing the podium twelve months ago, has the honour of leading the field away with the number 1 plate and will look to challenge the top three this time around.

   Guy Martin, set to have his first outing on a Lightweight Supertwin machine, starts behind Farquhar at number 4 and if his bike’s competitive, he’ll certainly be in with a shout. There will be a strong threat behind him though from Michael Rutter, another rider in with a chance of victory, who took third in the inaugural race of 2012 and sixth last year.

   Potential winners come thick and fast with Gary Johnson at number seven on the Chinese WK machine, which should be faster and more reliable this year. Jamie Hamilton, Farquhar’s former protégé, who was also well to the fore in 2013 finishing fifth, will start at number eight on the Stewart Smith Racing Kawasaki, with the stunning line-up continuing at number nine with Keith Amor. The Scots ace, returning to the TT for the first time since 2011, has joined forces with Farquhar at KMR Kawasaki and early indications are that he’s delighted with the performance of his Supertwin machine. Dan Cooper rounds out the top ten on another Chinese WK bike.

   Exciting youngster James Cowton leads the next batch of ten riders away at number 11. Having lapped at more than 113mph in practice in last year's Manx Grand Prix he’s definitely one to watch but he’ll have last year’s runner-up Dean Harrison breathing down his neck. Harrison's regular RC Express Racing by MSS Performance team will be running him in the class this year as he chases his first TT victory.

   Lee Johnston, ninth last year, will set off from the same number 13 slot as his other solo class races on the East Coast Construction Kawasaki, ahead of TT Rider Liaison Officer John Barton who’s rewarded with a seeded number after a strong twelfth place in 2013. Olie Linsdell, on the intriguing, all-new Paton machine, completes the top fifteen.

   David Johnson, Daniel Kneen, Gavin Hunt, one of the leading newcomers from TT 2013, Colin Stephenson, who steps up from the Manx GP and Ben Wylie are the remaining top twenty seeds.

   Outside the top twenty, riders and numbers to look out for include the returning Roy Richardson on a 550cc Aprilia (21), Michael Sweeney (23), Steve Mercer (24), eight-times Sidecar TT winning passenger Daniel Sayle (37), last year’s Lightweight Manx GP winner Michael Russell (45). Two promising youngsters step up from the Manx GP, The Isle of Man's Joe Faragher (39) and Northwich racer Connor Behan (48).

   Former Moto 3 and 125cc GP rider, Danny Webb, making his TT debut, should have his best ride of the week on the KMR Kawasaki at his familiar number 66 while other first-timers include Callum Laidlaw (73), Alan Bonner (74) and Frenchman Franck Petricola (75).

3. NEW BIKE BRAND BIKE NATION TO SPONSOR LIGHTWEIGHT TT

   Posted on 5:36pm Wednesday 2nd Apr 2014

   New online store Bike Nation, which was launched last week, is to become the new title sponsor of the Lightweight TT Race, which will be called the Bike Nation Lightweight TT.

   The Lightweight Race for Supertwin machines first took place in 2012 and has quickly become an established part of the TT schedule.  James Hillier won the 2013 race setting a new lap record of 119.130mph. This year's race takes place on Friday 6th June, ahead of the PokerStars Senior TT. Almost 90 entries were received for the race, the highest number since the race's inception. The start list will be announced on Friday 4th April.

   As part of the launch programme, Bike Nation will offer one customer a VIP trip for two to the Isle of Man TT Races. The trip will include travel and accommodation, as well as two tickets to the TT's VIP Club, the Isle of Man's prestigious hospitality that gives ticket holders access all areas to the world's leading road race.

   Bike Nation has been launched in conjunction with TT sponsor Bennetts, whose brands have sponsored the Lightweight race since 2012. Bike Nation offers one of the UK’s widest selections of quality motorcycle clothing and accessories, offering over 100,000 lines from 140+ brands. It also uniquely offers original equipment parts and new motorcycles from top manufacturers and insurance cover on helmets and leathers.

   The site completes the company’s overall offering to British motorcyclists, with its award-winning Bike Social website and Free Classifieds services complementing the 84-year-old company’s traditional insurance offerings.

   Bike Nation can be found at www.bikenation.co.uk
   
   More details on the Bike Nation Lightweight TT can be found at www.iomtt.com

4. MASSIVE ENTRY RECEIVED FOR 2014 CLASSIC TT RACES

   Posted on 5:45pm Tuesday 1st Apr 2014

   Entries have now closed for the 2014 Isle of Man Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts with a massive number of entries received.

   The event’s race promoter, The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development, has received a total of 329 entries across the 3 races and four categories. The race organisers will now review the entries and agree the final start lists for the 270 starting places.

   The Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1/Formula 2 Race leads the way with 144 entries while both the Bennetts 500cc Race with 101 registrations and the Okells 350cc Race with 84 are also up on last year's numbers.

   The event will again see many of the leading TT competitors competing against Classic Racing specialists while the event's global interest is reflected in entries from Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Holland, France, the USA as well as the British Isles and of course the Isle of Man.

   Following a week of practice and qualifying which starts on Saturday 16th August, the race programme begins with the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race on Saturday 23rd August. The second and final day of racing takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August with the Okells 350cc Classic TT Race being followed by the combined Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 and Formula 2 Classic TT Races.

   The Classic TT Races form part of a four-day festival of motorcycle nostalgia from the 22nd to 25th August, which also includes a Paddock Carnival, classic racing machinery displays, photographic exhibitions, the Festival of Jurby and a whole host of social events.

   The Classic TT is one of the events that make up the 2014 Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling, which runs from August 16th to August 31. The festival also includes the Manx Grand Prix (25th to 29th August), Manx 2-Day Trial (23rd and 24th August), Manx Classic Trial (30th and 31st August) and the VMCC rally and The Festival of Jurby (24th August).

   David Cretney, MHK, Political Member for Tourism and Motorsport, Isle of Man Government commented: "The Classic Bike community has really got behind our event and this is a stunning response following its successful first year. The event has quickly met our stated objective of being the world's leading Classic Bike event and the growth in visitors and competitors will further contribute to the Island's economy as well as giving fans a great nostalgic TT experience."

5. MICHAEL DUNLOP HEADS TT SUPERSPORT ENTRY AND TARGETS FIRST 130MPH LAP IN 600cc CLASS

   Posted on 12:00pm Monday 31st Mar 2014

   High quality line up as organisers confirm Monster Energy Supersport TT Races startlist

   After recently announcing the starting order for the 1000cc classes at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, race organisers have also confirmed the Supersport startlist and as with the other races, a competitive grid will assemble on Glencrutchery Road later this year.

   Michael Dunlop made the class his own twelve months ago when, riding his own MD Racing Honda, he produced two blistering performances to take a resounding double, the second race seeing him shatter both the race and lap records, the latter rising to an incredible 128.666mph. Continuing to run his own Supersport venture in 2014, Dunlop will again start at number six and he is targeting a stunning 130mph lap in the middleweight division.

   Speaking about this year's Monster Energy Supersport TT Races, Dunlop is clear about his objectives: “I’ve proved I can win TT’s on a Supersport bike and I’ve also got the lap and race records. But what I really want is to be the first person to lap at over 130mph on a 600cc bike and I think it is within my reach. I need to take about 11 seconds off my best lap, which is a big ask. But my bike is going to be stronger this year and when I set the lap record I made a few little mistakes and lost quite a lot of time. So I know it is possible, it’s just about putting that perfect lap together for 37 and ¾ miles.”

   Rivals to Dunlop’s supremacy are spread throughout the top 20 seeds though and, with races in previous years being determined by ever-decreasing margins, it could well need a lap of that magnitude to win.

   Fellow Honda riders John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey will line up as team-mates for Padgetts Motorcycles at numbers 1 and 5 respectively, with the Kiwi having pushed Dunlop hard in both Supersport Races 12 months ago, especially the second where he led for much of the way. Anstey also won a memorable 600cc Race in 2012, getting the better of Cameron Donald by just 0.77s.

   Four-time Supersport race winner Ian Hutchinson will have a great chance of making it five on his Milwaukee Yamaha, once again starting at number 3, and while it’s been six years since he last rode a 600cc machine and only his second TT, his team-mate Josh Brookes cannot be discounted out at number 14, the Australian having finished third in the 2008 World Supersport Championshi.

   Tyco Suzuki riders Guy Martin and William Dunlop will again resume their challenge with the number 4 and 8 plates respectively and although the Suzuki hasn’t challenged for race wins in the last few seasons, Dunlop is a master of the 600cc class.

   Smiths Triumph are a new name to the TT but the 2012 British Championship winners will be focused on race wins and Gary Johnson should give them their best chance from number seven. Teammate Michael Rutter will have his first Supersport outings at the TT since 2009 and, as a result, starts lower down the order at 15.

   Keith Amor is another exciting top ten prospect at number nine and the returning Scot, back at the TT for the first time since 2011, has a great chance of adding to his haul of five podiums. James Hillier will again be Kawasaki’s main hope at number 2 whilst Conor Cummins, riding a Jackson Racing Honda, sets off from his regular number 10 slot.

   As with the 1000cc class, Dan Stewart, Dean Harrison and Lee Johnston take numbers 11-13 with Bradford’s Harrison surely having a great shot at a win on the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha, the team having taken Stuart Easton to British Championship success in 2013.

   David Johnson and Dan Kneen stay at numbers 16 and 17 respectively but, as expected, there are some changes in the top twenty compared to the 1000cc races with Jamie Hamilton, Daniel Cooper and Robert Wilson the final seeded riders being rewarded for some strong results in 2013.

   Outside the top 20, race order will be determined by qualifying times but numbers to look out for include Jamie Coward, Simon Andrews and Ivan Lintin at 23, 24 and 25, local rider Ryan Kneen (29), three-times British Supersport champion Karl Harris (35) and Jimmy Storrar (40).

   A number of former Manx Grand Prix riders will also be taking part for the first time most notably James Cowton (37), double Junior race winner Michael Sweeney (50), Colin Stephenson (58), Connor Behan (72), Christopher Dixon (73) and Rab Davie (75), the latter having been a stalwart at the Manx since 1998.

   With a notable 99 approved entries, a new record for the Supersport class, it’s proved to be the most popular class at TT 2014 although the only newcomers are Alan Bonner (98) and Laurent Hoffmann (99).