Category: IOM TT - Manx Grand Prix

1. Honda TT Legends complete successful tyre test

   Posted on 12:01am Saturday 18th Feb 2012

   The Honda TT Legends team has successfully completed a Dunlop tyre test at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia in preparation for the 2012 Endurance World Championship, which kicks off in April with the Bol d’Or 24-hour.
   
   The three-day test was the first official outing for new signing Gary Johnson, who will contest in the EWC alongside John McGuinness, Cameron Donald and Simon Andrews. Donald and Andrews – who are both recovering from injury – did not attend.
    
   McGuinness and Johnson put in over 350 laps and covered almost 2,000km as the team trialled a variety of Dunlop tyre compounds in the intense Malaysian heat. They left the Sepang circuit yesterday in a positive mood having achieved all the agreed objectives.
    
   Neil Tuxworth – team manager; The three-day test has been very successful as we accomplished all the goals agreed with Dunlop beforehand. We certainly found some tyres that will not only work well in hot weather, which was the main objective of the test, but will also be beneficial for other races this year.
   
   John McGuinness; The test has been terrific to be honest. I’ve never ridden such a long distance in heat like this but it’s so good to be back on the bike and blowing the cobwebs away. We’ve done a huge amount of work in just three days. We went though a lot of compounds and found some really good set ups on the front and rear so it’s been very positive. I’m  really looking forward to the season now and can’t wait to get going on the 2012 Fireblade.
    
   Gary Johnson; This has been a great first test. I’ve gained a lot of experience and lost a lot of sweat – it was so hot! I’m really pleased that we got so many laps in and over the three days we have made some great progress on both the front and rear tyres. This was my first test with Honda TT Legends and it all went like clockwork. The crew works so well together and it means I can concentrate fully on my job on the bike.

   2012 Endurance World Championship calendar

   14 April - Bol d'Or 24-hour, France
   24 June - Doha 8-hour, Qatar
   29 July - Suzuka 8-hour, Japan
   11 August - Oschersleben, Germany
   8 September - Le Mans 24-hour, France 

2. SCOTT LAWRIE AND JAMES NEAVE CONFIRM ENTRY FOR 2012 ISLE OF MAN TT RACES SIDECAR RACES

   Posted on 12:01am Thursday 1st Dec 2011

   Scott Lawrie and James Neave, one of the UK’s leading sidecar outfits has confirmed that they will be making their first time appearance on the Mountain Course at the 2012 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy. The pair made the announcement at ‘TT Day’ at Motorcycle Live at the NEC.

   Scottish driver Lawrie has had a rapid rise in the British F1 Sidecar Championship and, after finishing 12th in 2010, he shot up the table this season to take a superb 3rd place overall, only denied the runner-up spot to eventual Champion Tim Reeves after bad luck in the closing rounds. With 9 podiums from the 20 race series, it’s clear the talented Edinburgh man will be one to watch as he pits his wits against the 37 and ¾-mile circuit for the first time.

   He also impressed on the World stage and although he only had two appearances in the 2011 World Championship, he made it count with 4th and 5th at the two races held at Oschersleben and 8th in race 1 at Schleiz. That was good enough to place him 9th overall in the Championship table and backed up his 7th place in the 2010 series where his best race result was again 4th, at Rijeka, Croatia.

   Meanwhile, Neave, despite being one of the youngest passengers on the grid at 23, has already tasted race action at the TT having been in the chair with Andy Laidlow in 2009 where they finished 10th in the only race held that year. Their fastest lap was a more than creditable 106.069mph and, having partnered Lawrie since 2009, he’ll be the perfect ballast come June.

   As well as going into 2012 as major British and World Championship F1 contenders, Scott and James are keen to make an impression at the Isle of Man TT, an event they have always been keen to try together and, with this in mind they have readily entered this year’s event where they will contest both three-lap Sure Sidecar Races.

   The pairing have already begun preparing both outfits for the coming season and will call on the expertise of Steve Webster, the ten-times World Champion, who has been assisting their quest in recent years.

   Talking about his debut, Lawrie commented:

   “I’ve been thinking about contesting the Isle of Man for a while and believe the time is now right for me to make my debut. The F2 MR Equipeoutfit will be new to me as well as the Mountain Course, obviously, so I realise that I still have a lot to learn but with James already having solid experience on the Island it will stand us in good stead. The Newcomers have done incredibly well in recent years but I’ll approach the event in my own way and won’t set myself too many targets in my first year. It’s a long term project for me so the main thing for 2012 is to learn the course, do a good, solid job, enjoy myself and come back stronger in subsequent years.”

   With two former World Champions, Tim Reeves and Ben Birchall, again on the entry list for the 2012 TT, as well as the established leading runners, including John Holden and the returning 14-times winner Dave Molyneux, the F2 Sidecar races at the Isle of Man continue to be the most prestigious sidecar races in the world and the two races in June promise action and quality of the very highest order.

   Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, commented:

   “I’m delighted that we have secured the participation of this outfit as they are hugely promising competitors who I’m sure will do well on the Isle of Man for many years to come. The sidecar class, once again promises to be the unofficial World Championship and there are a number of very interesting crews in this year’s race.”

   The 2012 Isle of Man TT begins with a week of practice from May 26th through to June 1st with the two three-lap Sidecar Races set for Saturday June 2nd and Wednesday June 6th.

3. Farquhar continues quest for Royal London 360° Superstock TT glory

   Posted on 12:01am Tuesday 22nd Nov 2011

   The Dungannon racer was widely expected to achieve another podium finish in the 2011 race after finishing just one second behind history-maker Ian Hutchinson in 2010. However, a crash at Keppel Gate during the final practice session of this year’s event ended his TT prematurely.

   Farquhar, a race winner in 2004 and 2005 with a number of other podium finishes, was speaking at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham and commented: “I still have unfinished business in the Superstock class, particularly after last year’s disappointment. I’m looking forward to next year’s races and will be looking to build on my 2010 performance.”

   Royal London 360° has signed a new three-year commitment which will see it sponsoring the Royal London 360° Superstock TT race until 2014. The Isle of Man based offshore life company, which offers a broad range of award-winning investment, savings and tax-planning products to investors around the world, is the TT’s longest existing sponsor, having supported the event since 2002.

   Farquhar continued: “I am delighted to see a Manx company making such a valued contribution to the success of the TT and I am looking forward to working with Royal London 360° again over the next three years, and hopefully reaching the top step of the podium once more in 2012!”

   Royal London 360°’s investment in the Isle of Man TT extends beyond race sponsorship. The company is committed to promoting the event in the international jurisdictions in which it operates; every year it flies a large number of guests to the Island from places including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Switzerland and even Jamaica to experience the thrill of TT racing first hand for the first time.

   In addition, Finance and Commercial Director, Mike Crellin, and Technical Marketing Manager, Neil Chadwick, are experienced TT competitors. Although Mike has reluctantly hung up his leathers, Neil continues to race and will compete in the Pre-TT Classic at Billown next May.
   Mike Crellin commented: “Our sponsorship of the Royal London 360° Superstock TT race is a partnership which has worked both commercially and locally for us since 2002, and we are really excited to be continuing our sponsorship of the event for another three years.

   “It is vital for us that we continue to invest in our Manx roots yet promote the Island internationally, and our sponsorship of the Royal London 360° Superstock TT race allows us to do this. It makes such a difference to our relationships with our key stakeholders that we are able to bring them to the Isle of Man, spend time with them and enjoy the TT, and we look forward to this continuing!”

   The Royal London 360° Superstock TT race takes place on Monday 4 June 2012.

4. Honda TT Legends ready for the final battle in Qatar

   Posted on 12:01am Friday 11th Nov 2011

   The Honda TT Legends will start tomorrow’s 8 Hours of Doha from ninth on the grid following the final qualifying session at the Losail International Circuit today. John McGuinness, Keith Amor and stand-in rider Glen Richards each completed a second 30-minute stint on the Honda Fireblade in a bid to improve on yesterday’s lap times. 
    
   All three riders managed this task, with Richards lapping the quickest. Cameron Donald’s replacement posted a 2:01.476 lap in the final stint to bring the team’s overall combined time up to 2:03.381 – enough to qualify in the top ten in a field of 26 teams. 
    
   Neil Tuxworth
    
   All three riders went a little bit quicker in that session, which we’re pleased about. The good thing is that all through the free practice sessions, qualifying and night practice we’ve had no incidents and no problems with the bike. We’ve got a sound basis for the race and I’d like to think we are in a strong position. You never know what is going to happen in eight hours but I’m hoping we can finish in at least a top five position. 
    
   John McGuinness
    
   We’re ninth overall on the grid but as we’ve seen in World Endurance qualifying is not the most important thing, it’s where we are at the end of eight hours and who knows how many laps! Glen has done some good times and I’ve been half a second quicker today so I’m happy with that. It’s a tough track and it’s going to be a tough race but I’m looking forward to it. I want to bring the bike home safe, score some points, maybe go up a bit in the championship and end the season as happy chaps. 
    
   Keith Amor
    
   I’m feeling a lot better than I was 24 hours ago. I’m starting to get used to the track and it’s not quite as much of a struggle. I found a bit of time today and I’m happy. It’s been a tough season but it’s nice to finish somewhere like this that is a bit easier on my injured shoulder. Let’s wait and see what happens in the race. 
    
   Glen Richards
    
   I’m feeling pretty good. I have a few little issues with my hands but we’ll try some different grips tomorrow maybe. Apart from that, the bike is working well and I felt better on it today than yesterday. It’s going to be a hard race for sure but then endurance races are always hard. We’ve just done a really good pit practice, so we’ll just get our heads down in the race and see what happens. 
    
   The final eight-hour battle of the 2011 Endurance World Championship season will begin at 13.00 AST (10.00 GMT, 11.00 CET) tomorrow.

   For real-time news, videos and images throughout the event follow @HondaTTLegends on Twitter and for post-qualifying and race reports visit www.HondaTTLegends.com Live timing is available at www.ris-timing.be

5. 2012 ISLE OF MAN TT RACES VIP PACKAGES NOW ON SALE

   Posted on 12:00am Wednesday 2nd Nov 2011

   The popularity of, and interest in, the Isle of Man TT Races continues to grow, attracting more visitors and spectators every year but the Official TT VIP Hospitality package remains the best way for people to experience the action – whether entertaining clients, rewarding staff or giving someone a truly memorable gift.

   The Isle of Man TT Races is widely recognised as one of the ‘must do’ events on the annual sporting calendar, taking its place alongside events such as Wimbledon, Test Match Cricket, the FA Cup Final, the Grand National, Six Nations Rugby and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

   The event also has something else in common with all of those prestigious events – world class VIP and Corporate Hospitality – with the TT Races offering the Isle of Man’s only prestige sporting hospitality experience. This year capacity has been capped at 300 places on each race day to ensure that guests experience a truly premium experience.

   As well as exclusive TT VIP Club access, which offers a complimentary bar, breakfast and a gourmet buffet lunch - all prepared by first class chefs - the package also offers reserved grandstand seating; easy access to the TT paddock and exclusive appearances by top riders and special guests. All ticket holders will also be entered into the daily free prize draw to win a scintillating closed roads lap of the TT Mountain Course in one of the official course cars.

   The TT VIP Club is located trackside and adjacent to the TT Grandstand and offers not only magnificent views of the famous TT course, but ensures that guests are at the very heart of all the action at the most thrilling spectator sport in the World. This year, guests will also be able to access a complimentary WiFi network and receive exclusive parking right by the action.

   The current stars of the TT will be making daily appearances in the suite for exclusive post-race interviews and chat with Radio TT and will often be joined in the suite by many other famous faces including mega-stars from TT, MotoGP, BSB, World Rally and even Formula 1 as well as celebrity bike fans.

   The 2012 TT VIP packages are available now. For an unforgettable TT 2012 experience call TT Ticketing Partner, Regency Travel on +44 1624 694456 or on line via the official Isle of Man TT web site, iomtt.com. Available on each race day, VIP packages can be purchased on an individual basis or complete tables of eight.