Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. Sensational victory for Michael Dunlop in Dainese Superbike Race

   Posted on 1:03pm Sunday 2nd Jun 2013

   Michael Dunlop took his first ever Superbike TT victory on Sunday afternoon at the Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, taking the lead at Ballaugh on the opening lap and going on to build a commanding 40 second victory from fellow Honda riders Cameron Donald and John McGuinness, the latter overcoming a one-minute pit-lane penalty to set a new outright lap record on the final lap.

   After a 45-minute delay due to a road traffic accident, the 6-lap race finally got underway at 3.00pm and it was Gary Johnson who set the early pace, the Lincs Lifting Ltd Honda rider holding a 1.5s lead over Dunlop at Glen Helen on lap one with McGuinness a further second back. By Ballaugh Dunlop had taken over at the front, turning the deficit to Johnson into a one second advantage and with an opening lap of 130.842mph, the Honda TT Legends rider held a 3.2s lead over new second placed rider Guy Martin, Johnson now in third ahead of McGuinness, Donald and Bruce Anstey.

   By Glen Helen on lap two, Johnson was back up to second, two seconds up on Martin but now 4.4s adrift of the flying Dunlop whilst McGuinness, riding in complete Joey Dunlop livery to celebrate 30 years since the 26-times winner’s first victory for Honda, was still, surprisingly, back in fourth. By the end of the lap though, he was up to second but some 15 seconds down on Dunlop who was continuing to pull away after his first ever 131mph+ lap.

   McGuinness’ pit stop was six seconds quicker than third placed Martin but Johnson never got that far having retired at the Nook out of fuel so the leaderboard now read Dunlop, McGuinness, Martin, Donald, Conor Cummins and William Dunlop. However, the latter incurred a 30s penalty for speeding in the pitlane dropping him down the order.

   Coming into the second pit stop at the end of lap four, Dunlop was the only rider above 130mph and it stretched his advantage over McGuinness to 30.8s although that soon increased with his Honda TT Legends team-mate being hit with a one-minute pit lane penalty dropping him behind Martin and back to fourth.

   Dunlop had now caught McGuinness and Donald on the road with the trio circulating in close formation and all he had to do was continue that for the final laps to claim his fourth TT win. 19 times winner McGuinness was piling on the coals as he desperately tried to get back on the podium but lap five spelt disappointment for sixth placed Dan Stewart who retired at Sulby Village with a holed radiator.

   As McGuinness closed in on Martin, Dunlop was able to ease back in the final lap and bring the bike home for a famous win, his eventual winning margin over Donald in excess of 40 seconds. The Australian, like Dunlop, posted a new personal best lap of the Mountain Course but McGuinness was still able to grab some headlines as he set a new outright lap record on the final circuit, 131.671mph, to claim third from Martin and make it a Honda 1-2-3.

   Cummins took a good fifth on the Milwaukee Yamaha, the first time he’d completed a six-lap race since 2009 with the third of the Honda TT Legends riders Michael Rutter in sixth. James Hillier took seventh from Anstey, William Dunlop and the sensational Josh Brookes, the Australian finishing in tenth and becoming the fastest ever newcomer in the process, his final lap being a stunning 127.726mph.

   In the battle of the privateers, it was Steve Mercer who came out on top in 13th overall, just ahead of Dan Kneen, Ben Wylie and Jamie Hamilton.

   Tomorrow's race sees the the Monster Energy Supersport race get away at 10.45 with the Royal London 360 Superstock Race scheduled to take place at 14.00.

2. TRACK THE ACTION WORLDWIDE WITH THE NEW TT RACES APP

   Posted on 9:56am Thursday 23rd May 2013

   You can now follow all the action from the Isle of Man TT Races via your mobile devices - as it happens - with the new free to download Isle of Man TT Races app, available from i-tunes and google play.

   With races now decided by fractions of seconds, you can follow the action as it unfolds wherever you are without missing the developments. The easy to use app has been designed both for visitors to the Isle of Man as well as race fans worldwide following the action from homes, offices or while out and about.

   There are in-depth rider profiles featuring all the leading solo and sidecar riders at your fingertips including fastest lap, podiums and race wins as well as a short career biography. The app features an interactive map with detailed descriptions of all the key sectors around the 37 3/4 mile course while an 'on board' video voiced by TT rider liaison officer, and former race winner, Richard 'Milky' Quayle gives you the inside track on tackling the famous TT Mountain Course.

   The rolling news feed will keep you informed of all the developments on the track as well as track conditions, weather and all the latest news from the world's leading road race as well feeds to the TT's youtube page while you can debate all the latest stories via the official twitter and facebook page and or get up to the minute developments with the RSS feeds. There is also a live audio link to Manx Radio's TT broadcast with live qualifying and race commentary as well as the full fortnight of station broadcasts, Chris Kinley's chat show, competitions and interviews with the stars.

   Visitors to the Island will appreciate the campsite listing while users will be able to purchase licensed goods including the latest Isle of Man TT Races merchandise as well as Grandstand and hospitality tickets.

   Fans can buy an annual pass to access the comprehensive live timing service for £1.49 (or equivalent euro or dollar price) that allows you to track the field as they negotiate the mountain course. You can follow the race leaders as they reach each of the six sector points or select your favourite riders to follow. The annual subscription includes all qualifying and races from this year's TT Races as well as the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix that run later in the year.

   For £1.49 race fans can also purchase an annual subscription to the 'Video Pass' section, which will contain exclusive content including behind the scenes interviews and press conferences as well as archive and current TT race footage.

3. Dunlop on pole for the North West 200

   Posted on 3:34pm Friday 17th May 2013

   Honda TT Legends’ Michael Dunlop will start this weekend’s North West 200 Superbike races from pole position, while Michael Rutter and John McGuinness will start from seventh and ninth respectively.

   Today’s second practice went ahead in persistent rain, meaning that there was no improvement on Tuesday’s times from any of the riders. Dunlop was the fastest rider in both sessions and his best lap of 4:33.173 was seven seconds quicker than the second placed rider Bruce Anstey. The two Superbike races will go ahead on Saturday 18 May.

   Neil Tuxworth   Considering the terrible conditions we’ve had for practice here at the North West, which have not only been wet and windy but constantly changing, to have all three riders qualify in the top ten without an incident is an excellent way to go into the races on Saturday. Dunlop’s performance on the Superbike machine in particular has been outstanding in each session.

   Michael Dunlop   I still feel like we’ve got a bit of work to do, but the bike’s working really well and it’s great to be starting the race from the prime position. We’re quickest and we’re ready to go, but there’s not much more we can do now until race day. Let’s just see what happens.   John McGuinness   I mistimed my fast lap and got caught in traffic on Tuesday so it’s a real shame that today’s been wet and I couldn’t improve the time. It’s a little disappointing as I’ve been on the front row many times here. I’ve been going great on the Superstock and the 600 but this is a priority race and it’s not really happened for me. I’m on the third row and if I can make a good start and be strong on the first lap I think we’ll be alright.

   Michael Rutter   It’s a shame we didn’t get the chance to improve on our times today. The conditions have been horrendous but the bike felt good and we’re happy enough with qualifying. I just hope we get some decent weather on Saturday so that we can give it a good go.

4. SES continues TT Zero Race sponsorship and supports 'Space Mountain' exhibition in Douglas

   Posted on 8:41am Friday 17th May 2013

   Leading Satellite operator SES has confirmed that it will continue to be the headline sponsor of the groundbreaking SES TT Zero Race in 2013, which takes place on Wednesday 5th June at the Isle of Man TT.

   The company has been involved in the event since 2011, which last year saw the historic first 100mph lap of the course. This year's race is set to deliver greater speeds with leading protagonists Mugen and MotoCzysz set to go head to head once again on the TT Mountain Course.

   As part of their sponsorship SES is also supporting an exhibition at the Sayle Gallery in Douglas that will run throughout the TT Races period. Titled 'Space Mountain' and created by artist Rachael Clegg, Space Mountain explores the development of satellites in connection with the development of the TT through a series of quirky, slick and thought-provoking prints.

   Each image is accompanied by text explaining its historical significance and the image references include assassinations, smuggled secrets and crime. Starting with the first telegraph in 1837, Space Mountain takes the viewer on a tour of the development of telecommunications via Morse code, Nazi Germany, Soviet spies interspersed with references of TT triumphs.

   Rachael Clegg said: "The stories behind the development of satellites are brilliant and the parallels between TT and satellite history are striking. The first satellite was Sputnik, launched in 1957, which was also the year in which Bob McIntyre broke the 100 mile-an-hour lap record. Both satellites and the TT were developing at a similar pace and - as the exhibition will reveal - with equal drama."

   She continued: "Space Mountain has been so much fun in the making. We've used chocolate, farms, railway tracks, retro TVs, 1950s dentist chairs, over-sized trousers and even a rocket.We take satellites and telecommunications for granted but this exhibition brings home how quickly technology has developed. It wasn't that long ago that we were using Scouts on the TT course to relay messages to marshals and the first satellite-transmitted television image was only 51 years ago. Now companies like SES are launching zero-emission satellites into space, which allow us to watch television footage in India, Australia and the Middle East."

   SES Satellite Leasing Ltd's MD, Mark Guthrie said: "SES is really excited to once again be involved with the SES TT Zero at a time when the race is set to deliver some remarkable results. We are also pleased to extend our activity by supporting an exhibition like this. As sponsors of TT Zero we wanted to commission something striking that also drew parallels between the development of satellites, telecommunications and the TT."

   Space Mountain is on display at the Sayle Gallery, Douglas from May 25 to June 7 and is free to enter. 

5. Commercial and Strategic Partnership with Ace Cafe London

   Posted on 8:40am Friday 10th May 2013

   The Isle of Man Government Department of Economic Development has announced a strategic partnership with the Ace Cafe London that will see the two organisations create a series of commercial, marketing and promotional initiatives around both the TT Races and the new Classic TT Races.

   The TT Races are widely acknowledged as one of the world's leading motorsport events while Ace Cafe London, since its inception in 1938, has developed into an internationally licensed brand, with outlets and representatives in USA, Germany, Finland, Japan and, most recently, China.

   As part of the partnership, Ace Cafe London will recreate the iconic venue in the Classic TT paddock by offering customers the same menu that can be found in the North West London venue. It will also be decorated with instantly recognisable memorabilia and is expected to quickly become a popular meeting point for bike fans.

   The Ace crew will also be taking over the VIP Hospitality facility at the heart of the paddock on Saturday 24th August for the 'Ace Cafe Classic TT Party' that will feature bands playing instantly recognisable rock and roll tracks from the fifties and sixties.

   A range of premium merchandise, featuring both the Classic TT and instantly recognisable Ace Cafe 'Clubs' insignia is being produced and will be available at this year's Classic TT meeting at the end of August.

   To celebrate the partnership, legendary TT Racer Philip McCallen, who famously made history by winning four races in a week in 1996, will lead an exclusive group of fans in a ride out from the Ace Cafe in London to the Isle of Man Classic TT Races in August.

   The 'Ace to Race' package, priced at £2000 plus VAT includes the Classic TT Paddock Carnival on Friday 23rd August, VIP Hospitality for both Classic TT Race Days and a ticket to the Ace Cafe Party on Saturday night and the TT Heroes Dinner on Sunday evening. It also includes five nights accommodation at the four star Claremont hotel on Douglas promenade and return sailings on The Steam Packet from Liverpool. The package is limited to just 8 places.

   The partnership will also see the TT and Classic TT promoted globally as part of the Ace Cafe’s event programme at trade shows and other motorcycle events.