Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. Norton signs John McGuinness for 2018 Isle of Man TT Races

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 8th Feb 2018

   23-time TT Race winner John McGuinness has signed to ride for the Norton factory team in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Races at the 2018 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. 
   
   McGuinness joins 2015 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes in a two-man team using the latest specification Norton ‘SG7’ machines, derived from the firm’s flagship V4 RR road bike.
   
   McGuinness last won a Superbike class race in 2015, winning the PokerStars Senior TT, which also saw him breaking the outright lap record with a lap of 132.701, which remains his fastest lap around the Mountain Course. He achieved podiums in both the 2016 RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT but missed last year’s TT race meeting due to serious injuries sustained in the North West 200, which he is still recovering from. However, he expects to be back to full fitness in time for his TT debut with Norton this June.
   
   McGuinness has enjoyed a remarkable TT career and is second only to Joey Dunlop in outright TT victories and is rightly considered as one of the all-time TT greats.  In a career that has now stretched over twenty years, he first announced himself to the road-racing world in 1996, finishing the highest placed and fastest newcomer in the 250cc TT Race and his name has since become synonymous with the Isle of Man Mountain Course.
   
   He has stood on the Isle of Man TT podium a record 46 times from 78 race finishes and is confident that more success is just around the corner now he has teamed up with this iconic British brand.
   
   Talking about the news of his Norton signing John McGuinness commented:
   
   “I didn’t want to end my career due to an injury, but the truth is I didn’t know whether I would be able to come back as I didn’t know how fit I was going to be. Right now, things are going well. I feel a lot sharper and my head is in gear and ready to go. The plan is to get the external fixator cage off my leg by the end of this month and after that we can start working towards getting bike fit and testing.”  
   
   “I’m definitely ready for a change of manufacturer. I needed an injection of enthusiasm and I’ve found it with Norton. From the first time I met with Stuart (Garner) the vibe was there and the passion. I watched Steve Hislop win the TT on the Norton in 1992 and it was massive. Everyone remembers that! We can’t get carried away, it’s going to be a big job but I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos of the bike in action, I watched the bike out on track last year and it’s clearly a very fast and capable bike and I can tell you there are worse handling bikes out there too, so there’s no reason we can’t do the business if the stars line up right.”
   
   Norton Motorcycles CEO Stuart Garner added:
   
   “We’ve been talking to John for a year or more, he’s the talent. He’s the man at the TT with the total experience, the results and the pedigree. We have the ambition to win the TT and to go on to develop a really strong team in years to come. We’d got John in our sights for a long time.”
   
   “To get John in the Norton team with his experience and knowledge available is fabulous.  Norton will seize the opportunity to get John involved in all aspects of the bike – he’s a huge asset to Norton. Everyone in the factory has got a huge buzz. It’s pretty special.  We’re all looking forward to the TT but we’ve not set any targets and take nothing for granted. Putting John McGuiness and Norton together is a dream team, but we know all results at the TT are hard earned whatever your name.”
   

2. Danny Webb remains with Penz13 BMW Motorrad Motorsport for 2018 Isle of Man TT Races

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 22nd Dec 2017

   Former Moto3 GP racer Danny Webb will be representing the German Penz13 BMW Motorrad Motorsport team at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy for the third consecutive year in 2018.
   
   Webb joined the Penz13 team back in 2016. Prior to that the young Brit established his reputation on 125cc and Moto3 bikes at world championship level. Despite Webb’s unknown ability on the more powerful 1000cc BMW machinery, Penzkofer took the risk to sign him and in his first year. Danny repaid this trust with top five results in the IRRC in Joey Dunlop Open in Frohburg and some credible 120mph+ lap times at the TT Races.
   
   In 2017 he showed his true potential and achieved positive results which began with his appearance in Horice for the 300 Corner of Gustav Havel, where he was able to follow the locals in his debut at the challenging track in Czech Republic.
   
   Unfortunately, the Isle of Man TT campaign was curtailed after a crash in practice week that took him nearly two months to fully recover, returning to the Mountain Course compete in the Classic TT in the same year.
   
   In the same year - and convinced by his potential – the Penz13 squad selected him for the 24 Hour Endurance World Championship round at Bol d’Or with Markus Reiterberger and Alessandro Polita. Despite neither through the dark, or in a 24 Hour race, his fastest lap in Le Castellete was just a fraction slower than Reiterberger. The team finished on the podium and currently stand in second position overall in the championship.
   
   Just a week later he put up another tremendous performance at the Joey Dunlop Open event in Germany, winning the IRRC Superbike and Supersport Races with new lap and race records. He wrapped up his season in style with a Top 10 finish at the Macau GP and the team and Webb are both excited to be extending their partnership for another year with the TT and various appearances in the IRRC planned for next season.
   
   Danny Webb:
   
   ”To be honest, in the last two years I wasn’t really focused on racing and wasn’t even sure if I wanted to continue. It is probably most riders’ dream to race at World Championship level and around the TT and I have done both. But things really changed for me during the year with Penz. The season did not start the way I wanted and it took me a while to recover from that stupid crash at the Isle of Man. But when the team called me up for their EWC round in France I was over the moon and can’t thank them enough for giving me that chance. I always knew I had it in me, so I want to prove that I can be as fast on big bikes. With the success in Frohburg the following week I felt like I was rebooted and knew immediately that I want to continue and invest everything I have. I haven’t felt that confident for a long time and there was no question in my mind about staying with these guys.” 
   
   Rico Penzkofer:
   
   ”I am aware that keeping Danny in the future might become more challenging as I’m sure that other teams are watching him closely. But I am sure there aren’t many other teams that give him what he needs and make him feel like part of the family. So I couldn’t be happier to continue with him for another year and conquer the upcoming challenges.”

3. Horst Saiger switches to Yamaha for Isle of Man TT Races campaign

   Posted on 12:00pm Thursday 14th Dec 2017

   Horst Saiger and the Saiger Racing team will switch to Yamaha to compete in the 2018 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the other international Road Racing meetings, after Saiger reached an agreement with the Swiss Yamaha Importer ‘Hostettler.’
   
   Saiger will ride Yamaha R6, R1 Superbike and R1 Superstock machinery prepared by Mandy Kainz from the Yamaha Austria Racing Team (‘YART’) with whom Saiger has a long racing history. 2018 will be an anniversary season as Hostettler will be celebrating 50 years of bringing Yamaha motorbikes to Switzerland.
   
   Hostettler have a long and outstanding history not only in Switzerland but racing generally. Names to have represented the company include Rodney Gould who, in addition to the 1970 250cc World Championship, secured two runner up places in the Isle of Man TT Races in 1970 and 1972. Other names who have raced in the Hostettler colours include Michael Frutschi, Jacque Cornu, Roland Freymond, Bruno Kneubühler and sidecar competitors Rolf Biland / Kurt Waltisperger.
   
   Saiger made his TT Mountain Course debut in 2013, finishing the second fastest newcomer behind Josh Brookes and he achieved his highest placed finish of tenth in the 2017 RL360 Quantum Superstock TT Race.
   
   The team will launch the bikes at the Swiss Moto Zurich show (22nd - 25th February 2018).
   
   Saiger will also be returning to his roots, having spent 10 years riding Yamaha machinery in the past.
   
   "I rode as an instructor at the Yamaha Riding Academy of Hostettler and was able to get a first glimpse of the Yamaha YZF-R1 at the race track of Aragon. I was immediately convinced by the unique engine concept as well as the super sporty R1 in general – I fell heavily in love with this motorbike, when returning to home.”
   
   He continued:
   
   “I am now looking forward to my 2018 season, which will start with the NW200. Further confirmed dates are the Isle of Man TT, which is my main highlight, and Macau. Unfortunately the Terlicko Road Racing meeting clashes with the Endurance World Championship at Oschersleben and I wont be able to compete there. But I am still hoping to make my return to the Ulster GP and I am considering a detour to Frohburg as well.”

4. Derek Shiels joins Team Penz13 BMW Motorrad Motorsport for 2018 Isle of Man TT Races

   Posted on 10:00am Tuesday 12th Dec 2017

   2017 marked the most successful campaign for the Penz13 BMW Motorrad Motorsport team in real road racing. Manxman Dan Kneen earned the team’s first TT podium finish and Michael Rutter, Danny Webb and Alessandro Polita achieved multiple race wins and podiums in the IRRC.

   After Kneen's contract expired and he moved to Tyco BMW, team principal Rico Penzkofer assessed their approach to the 2018 season. The team's main focus has always been the FIM Endurance World Championship, while Penzkofer's heart has always been with road racing.

   Derek Sheils deputised as a stand-in rider for the ill Kneen at the Joey Dunlop Open event at Frohburg in Germany earlier this season and after his strong performance in the recent Macau Grand Prix, the Irishman was considered a perfect fit for the vacant seat in the Penz13 squad.

   Sheils will be provided with the latest BMW machinery in Superstock and Superbike configurations for the 300 Corners of Gustav Havel event in Czech Republic, which the team uses as a test for the season’s main event, the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy. Additionally, Sheils will join the experienced and proven winning formula at the Imatranajo in Finland, the Joey Dunlop Open in Frohburg, Germany and the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.

   Derek Sheils:
   "I am grateful for the support of John Burrows so far, giving me the opportunity to sign for the Penz13 team for the TT. I enjoyed my stand-in race in Frohburg last September and felt that the BMW is the right bike to step up into the world’s top league of road racers. I quickly got the grip with the electronics that come along with the HP4 and I was surprised how well advanced their electronic suspension from Tractive Suspension actually is. I am obviously aiming high and hope to finish all the TT Races within the Top ten but also taking some race victories over in Europe.”

   Rico Penzkofer:
   "I didn’t know much about Derek until he joined us in Frohburg, but immediately saw that he would fit perfectly into the team and could be a good replacement for Dan Kneen. His recent Macau GP pace convinced me even more and I took the opportunity to sign him right after the race. In Frohburg was actually the first time he rode a BMW with all the electronics. Our suspension engineer Eric Lindemann as well as our mechanic crew pointed out that he provides very good feedback. I enjoyed working with him and therefore hope that he can help us to further establish our team in real road racing in 2018. I am sure there is a lot to come from Derek in the near future.”

    

5. Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston line up on the roads for Honda Racing

   Posted on 4:00pm Monday 11th Dec 2017

   Announcing an all-new rider line-up for its 2018 Road Racing campaign, Honda Motor Europe is delighted to welcome Ian Hutchinson and Lee Johnston to the fold contesting the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and the Ulster GP aboard the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 in the Superbike and Superstock 1000 classes.

   Both Hutchinson and Johnston are no strangers to Honda machinery and in 2010 Hutchy claimed his historic five-TT wins with the Padgetts Honda team. Hugely successful on the roads the ‘Bingley Bullet’ is a 16-time TT winner with 27 TT podiums to his name and will be looking to further add to his tally, as well as claiming the maiden road-racing win for the Fireblade SP2.

   Former National Superstock 600 Champion Johnston made his debut at the North West 200 in 2008 and it was 2012 when he first rode the famous TT Mountain Circuit. ‘The General’ has impressed during his time on the roads collecting three wins and six podiums at the NW200, as well as two podiums at the Isle of Man TT. Johnston also has strong links with the Louth-based squad, having worked closely with the Honda Endurance Racing team as its Le Mans 24-hour reserve rider.

   With a long established history at the Isle of Man TT, Honda remains the most successful manufacturer at the event and the Fireblade still holds the accolade as the most successful 1000cc machine ever around the 37.73-mile circuit with 23 TT victories. Honda Racing’s all-new line-up for 2018 is eager to tackle the road circuits, starting with the North West 200 in May.

   To keep up to date with all the latest news from the team follow @HondaRacingCBR

   Ian Hutchinson

   I’m really looking forward to getting started with Honda Racing; it’s a new challenge and a fresh start for me. I suppose I have quite a bit of history with Honda, ten years ago I rode with this official team and in 2009/2010 I rode with Padgetts Honda, where I scored five-TT wins in a week, so I know the Fireblade pretty well. I haven’t ridden the Fireblade SP2 yet and will have to wait until we go testing early next year, but I can’t wait to start making some progress. The Honda team has a lot of experience at the TT and its history speaks for itself with the wins and successes over the years, it’s also nice to see a lot of the team still here who I worked with in the past, so I’m confident that come the New Year we can get started and start aiming to where we want to be.

   Lee Johnston

   I am genuinely excited about being with Honda Racing next year, I’m probably the most excited I’ve been in years if I’m honest! I have had two tough years and it’s nice to have everything organised and in place early so I have nothing to worry about apart from riding motorbikes. So that for me is the biggest thing and what I wanted more than anything, as I have no outside distractions and I can just concentrate on doing my job. I’ve ridden the Fireblade SP2 already at Le Mans, when I was a reserve rider for the Honda Endurance Racing team, so I’ve got a bit of a head start in that respect. I enjoy riding the CBR, the tank fits me well and it isn’t as big as it looks! I just can’t wait now for testing to start in March and just get going with the new programme for the year.

   Jonny Twelvetrees

   Team Manager

   I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to sign both Hutchy and Lee for our 2018 roads campaign. Hutchy’s record speaks for itself and especially so when he’s been on a Honda. Whilst always being aware of his determination and professionalism, this has been highlighted to me even more so when striking up the deal. I’m looking forward to seeing him on the SP2 at our opening test, he has plenty of past experience on the Fireblade, so I’m sure it won’t take him too long until he’s pushing on and able to feedback what he needs. Lee has always impressed me, he joined the Honda Endurance Racing team as a reserve rider for the Le Mans 24-hour and since then we had been watching from a roads perspective. He clearly has a talent on the roads and I am positive with the team we have, the Fireblade SP2 and the plans we have for the season that he can show his full potential. We’re really looking forward to working together and personally I can’t wait for us to be back on the roads.