The British Motorcycle Manufacturing Academy in partnership with Norton will be returning to the Isle of Man to compete in highly competitive Lightweight class with MCN’s Senior Road Tester Adam ‘Chad’ Child at the helm.

Students on the apprenticeship program run by the BMMA at Norton HQ, Donington Park will once again primarily run the project. The team had a baptism of fire at last year’s TT as they competed against the words best road racers. Their job was made ten times harder as the team had to work long hours to rebuild the bike after Chad crashed on the mountain section at the end of practice week.

The bike showed promise in the race, but unfortunately the team were forced to retire on the second lap due to a mechanical gremlin. Since the TT the BMMA team, made up of students under 21, have made huge strides, gaining valuable experience competing in the prestigious Scarborough Gold Cup, scoring a creditable 7th position on the bikes first outing around the undulating track.

Head of design and executive director Simon Skinner said:

“The young team were thrown in at the deep end last year and learnt so much, nothing beats live racing and it doesn’t come much harder than the TT. Chad is back on board working closely the students who are gaining from his vast experience. The young team are growing in confidence, they have the potential to surprise a few people this year. Again the young team will be working in partnership with the factory Norton Team.”

MCN Senior Road Tester Adam Child, who will be competing at his fifth TT has been professionally testing bike for 15 years and is a key member to the team working on the development of the new bike. He said:

“I messed up last year, it was my fault, I just took my eye off the ball for a second and crashed, it was no fault of the bike. The lads worked their socks off, really grafted and I’m desperate to give them a good result this year. It’s a hugely interesting and rewarding project working with the students and I’m looking forward to another year.”