When motorcycle road racing finally resumes a familiar face will make his comeback on the BMW S 1000 RR: Ian ‘Hutchy’ Hutchinson (GBR). The 16-time TT winner returns to the TAS Racing team, with Team Principal Philip Neill, with whom he will compete in international road races and the British championship under the new banner of SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad. The project is being supported by BMW Motorrad Motorsport.
Ian Hutchinson, TAS Racing, 2016 Isle of Man TT
Hutchinson joined the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family in 2016 and competed for TAS Racing in road races and the Superstock class of the British Superbike Championship. Right at the start of the season, Hutchinson won the Superstock race at the North West 200 on his BMW S 1000 RR. Next was the Isle of Man TT, at which he not only won the Superstock TT, but also set a new Superstock lap record.
Hutchinson claimed no fewer than three victories on the RR at the 2016 Ulster Grand Prix and set a new world record when he topped the 134-mph mark in the event’s second Superbike race. In setting an average speed of 134.089 mph, he was crowned the ‘World’s Fastest Road Racer’. ‘Hutchy’ was no less successful at the racetrack that year. He won two races and claimed a total of nine podium finishes in the Superstock class of the BSB. Hutchinson was one of the favourites for the title, despite missing a round that clashed with his road racing commitments.
Ian Hutchinson, TAS Racing, 2016 Ulster Grand Prix
“For a road racer the TT is the main goal and we won there,” Hutchinson explained looking back. “But we did the same at the North West 200 and also took three wins in a day at the Ulster Grand Prix. That day at Dundrod included earning the accolade of world’s fastest road racers with a 134mph lap. We took Superstock wins on the TAS Racing prepared BMW S 1000 RR at all three major internationals in 2016 and we also got that all-important Superbike win to finish the season on a high.”
Ian Hutchinson – 2016 IOM TT
As well as those successes, another thing stands out in BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director Bongers’ memories of that 2016 season: “It was in the Superstock race on the Isle of Man, when he set the lap record. Back then, his lap – from a standing start – was only a few seconds slower than Peter Hickman when he subsequently set his new Superbike lap record on a flying lap. That was extremely impressive – a highlight.”
Ian Hutchinson – IOM TT
At the 2017 Isle of Man TT, Hutchinson first won the Superbike race, before claiming a dominant victory in the Superstock race. He was also one of the hot favourites in the Senior TT, and was looking to get his third win of the week. Unfortunately, however, he crashed and fractured his left femur. That resulted in another break from racing, but ‘Hutchy’ once again fought back. “It is remarkable how determined and motivated he is, not just to come back and compete, but to challenge for victories,” said Bongers.
Ian Hutchinson – RST Superbike victor at IOMTT 2017
Hutchinson was back in action on the BMW S 1000 RR last November, when he appeared at the 2019 Macau Grand prix for Shaun Muir’s Milwaukee with SMT team. “The preparation time was extremely short, and you only have a very limited amount of riding time in practice in Macau. For that reason, we did not have particularly good results,” said Bongers.
SYNETIQ BMW S 1000 RR, Ian Hutchinson
Hutchinson now returns to the BMW Motorrad Motorsport family as a rider for SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad, and Bongers is certain that they can add to the success story together. “He feels right at home on our package. We have also modified our BMW S 1000 RR so that we have the gears on the right side. He has already ridden at a few tests and is still extremely quick. I am confident that he is a podium contender at the road races. And if we have enough time to test – which will hopefully be the case – then he can certainly challenge for the top step of the podium in Macau.”
Ian Hutchinson, 2019 Macau Grand Prix
And what expectations does Hutchinson have? “I enjoyed working with the whole team. It was a good relationship. The same core people are still there, so I see no reason why we cannot pick up from where we left off,” he said. “Having prepared so well in January and February I’m ready to race as soon as it is possible again.”
The Isle of Man Government and the Manx Motor Cycle Club, the race organisers of the Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix, have taken the joint decision to cancel this year’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts and Manx Grand Prix, which were due to take place between the 22nd August and the 4th September on the Isle of Man.
The decision to cancel both events has been taken following consultation between the Department for Enterprise and race organisers, the Manx Motor Cycle Club, taking into account the emergency measures including current border controls and travel restrictions caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Peter Maddocks, Manx Motor Cycle Club Chairman
‘We were asked, as race organisers, by the Government whether we were confident that the event could take place purely from a logistical and operational point of view this year. Although we were confident that we could provide the officials, the situation around other key personnel, such as marshals and medical personnel could not be guaranteed. Additionally the availability of event critical contractors and whether the infrastructure and equipment could even reach the Isle of Man in time is also an area of great uncertainty.
‘We also took into account the levels of pre-event practice the riders would have had to enable them to effectively take on the unique challenge that racing on the Mountain Course represents. All of these factors were considered and ultimately formed the basis of the decision that, from an operational point of view, the event had to be cancelled this year. Even though we are all in uncertain times the Club is looking forward to planning a return to the mountain course in 2021.’
Organisers of the Isle of Man TT Races have announced today that the 2020 event has been cancelled, as the Department for Enterprise for the Isle of Man made the tough decision, stating the announcement it designed to allow spectators, businesses and entrants to deal with the cancellation, while protecting the Isle of Man’s residents.
Conor Cummings – 2019 IoM TT
See the full official statement below:
Isle of Man TT Races cancel 2020 event
As organisers of the Isle of Man TT Races, it is with deep regret that we must cancel the 2020 event. We share in the disappointment of having no TT in this year, but whole heartedly support any decision that helps to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of all residents, riders and visitors.
Staging the TT is no small undertaking and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the assistance, support and goodwill of countless businesses, organisations and volunteers. We will be talking to each and every one of you over the coming days and weeks about our next steps, but would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience and understanding.
Both the Isle of Man and the TT Races have a long, incredible history, and have time and again proved to be as strong and resilient as they are unique. With the continued love and support of all TT fans, we can be confident that the greatest road race in the world will soon return and light up our lives once more.
Isle of Man Government Statement
The Council of Ministers has taken the decision to cancel the 2020 Isle of Man TT Races which were due to take place between 30th May and 13th June. The decision has been taken following confirmation that the Island has stepped up its measures to protect the population against the pandemic.
Laurence Skelly MHK – Minister for Enterprise
“The decision to cancel has not been taken lightly and all options including postponement and delaying the decision have been considered in detail. Representatives from the Isle of Man Government will now discuss the implications with all relevant businesses, stakeholders and individuals affected by this cancellation, which it recognises will be significant. With the visitor restriction in place for the foreseeable future we wanted to make the decision now to give businesses, visitors and all involved stakeholders time to manage the impact going forward. The Isle of Man, and the Isle of Man TT, are faced with unique challenges regarding COVID-19 and making this decision will provide certainty to teams, competitors, sponsors and stakeholders of the event and to visitors across the globe. The decision also aims to provide reassurance for our residents and healthcare professionals that the health and well-being of the Isle of Man’s residents is the single biggest priority and focus of this Government.”
The Department for Enterprise will, in due course, issue full refunds for all Official Tickets including Grandstand tickets, Hospitality Packages and other Official Event Experiences purchased through iomttraces.com.
The Department’s Motorsport Team is continuing to work with the Manx Motor Cycle Club for the successful delivery of the 2020 Classic TT Races and Manx Grand Prix which is due to begin on 22nd August 2020 and will continue to review the delivery of the event against prevailing global conditions.
The Department for Enterprise and Treasury are looking at various options to support businesses affected by the cancellation and will be introducing a range of support measures, the first of which will be announced in Tynwald tomorrow.
Riders react to Isle of Man TT cancellation
Conor Cummins
“I’m genuinely gutted that TT 2020 has been cancelled. A lot of prep has gone on behind the scenes in readiness of the event taking place. That said, everyone’s health and wellbeing comes first so i totally understand why the decision has been made. There will always be another day and all we can do now is look forward to TT 2021.”
Conor Cummins
Davo Johnson
“Not the best news to wake up to… As a professional rider and it looking like there are not going to be many races to do, if any at all, in 2020 this causes a huge problem for me… I’m not the only one effected by this and there are others worse off than me. Time to make a plan and get through this shit situation. Thanks Alan and Paul at OMG Racing and all my loyal sponsors for sticking by me. Let’s focus on 2021 I suppose…”
Cam Donald congratulates Davo Johnson on his maiden TT podium in 2019 Source: MCNews.com.au
Reigning Pikes Peak International Hill Climb champion Rennie Scaysbrook will make his debut at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, riding for the highly experienced PRF Racing team.
The Australian will ride a GSX-R600 Suzuki and will contest both of the four-lap Monster Energy Supersport races held this June.
Son of former racer and highly regarded competitor and journalist Jim Scaysbrook, who himself competed at the TT in 1978 as team-mate to Mike Hailwood on an NCR Ducati and again in 1980 and 1984, Rennie has recently established himself as one of the best competitors in the challenging Pikes Peak competition.
The 37-year old immediately impressed on his debut in 2016 when he finished in a stunning second place on the 12.42-mile course, which is comprised of some 156 corners up to the Colorado Mountain’s summit of 14,115 feet.
Scaysbrook finished runner-up again in both 2017 and 2018 behind the late Carlin Dunne but, riding an Aprilia Tuono Factory, went one better last year when he posted a time of 9m44.963s during the 97th edition of Pikes Peak.
That was 14s quicker than his previous best time and broke the previous record set in 2017 by Chris Fillmore of 9m49.625s. He’s also one of just five riders to post a time under ten minutes on the famous climb.
King of the Colorado Mountain, Scaysbrook, who is Road Test editor for Cycle News in America, will now turn his attention to another mountain, specifically the 37.73-mile Mountain Course with PRF Racing who have been competing on the island since 1995.
TT organisers still hoping to stage the event
With the Isle of Man mirroring the UK’s move into a ‘delay’ phase on its response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Island’s Health Minister, David Ashford, has moved to reassure residents and visitors that the Island is prepared to respond.
Questioned on how Coronavirus might affect the TT, Mr Ashford reiterated that no decision to cancel the event had been taken, and with several months to go until the start of TT 2020, time was on the side of the Department.
Referring to postponements and cancellations of major global sports events, Mr Ashford told Manx Radio that a decision on whether to hold the TT was not imminent, but that the situation remained under close review.
Mr Ashford further reiterated that current scientific evidence did not support the idea that visitors to a country represented the most significant threat of spreading infection.
Classic TT specialists Team Classic Suzuki will make their first visit to the Isle of Man TT Races later this year, fielding youngsters Joe Akroyd and Tom Weeden.
The duo will contest the RST Superbike and Senior TT Races on Suzuki machinery, with Yorkshire’s Akroyd riding the ex-Hawk Racing factory Suzuki GSX-R1000R that Richard Cooper rode at last year’s International North West 200 road races.
Joe Akroyd and Tom Weeden
Weeden, meanwhile, will ride the 2016 factory Suzuki as used in that year’s British Superbike Championship by Ryuichi Kiyonari and Tommy Bridewell.
Both riders made their name at the Manx Grand Prix, with Weeden taking first and second place respectively in the 2016 Senior and Junior races, with Akroyd joining him on the podium by taking two third place positions.
The duo moved up to the TT the following year but Akroyd suffered multiple injuries after a heavy crash at Glentramman during qualifying. It meant the former 125cc British Championship points scorer had to miss the 2018 meeting as he continued his recovery, but he was back in action last year where he more than impressed.
Team Classic Suzuki
The 30-year old got quicker as the week wore on and after 22nd and 32nd place finishes in the second Monster Energy Supersport and RL360 Superstock Races respectively, he saved the best until last with an excellent ride into 18th place in the six lap Senior Race. Akroyd won a bronze replica in each of the three races with his final lap in the Senior seeing him post a lap at an impressive average speed of 124.115mph.
Meanwhile, Weeden has made steady progression in his three years at the TT with his best finish coming in last year’s second Supersport Race when he took 24th place. Indeed, last year’s event saw the 26-year old also pick up three bronze replicas and improve his personal best lap to 122.890mph whilst riding for the Burrows Engineering with RK Racing team.
The duo will also contest the Supersport and Superstock Races with their own respective teams.
Steve Wheatman – Team Classic Suzuki’s Principal
“Our aim is to provide Joe and Tom, two up and coming riders, with reliable and competitive Superbike machinery which will allow them to concentrate with their own teams on the Supersport and Superstock classes. We will have our support team headed up by Nathan Colombi along with having valuable advice throughout the event from Hawk Racing. The bikes will run in our usual Team Classic Suzuki colours and we are fortunate to have a good number of spares and options for these machines.”
Team Classic Suzuki
Team Classic Suzuki have been staunch supporters of the Classic TT presented by Bennetts since its inception in 2013 and, experts in their field, have won the RST Classic Superbike Race on three occasions with Michael Dunlop. Other riders to have benefited from their immaculately prepared machinery at the event include Conor Cummins, Lee Johnston, Danny Webb, Phil Crowe and Nick Jefferies.
Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) has confirmed 19-times TT winner Michael Dunlop will race one of the team’s VisionTrack Ducatis at the Isle of Man TT Races this year, with the 30-year-old from Ballymoney in County Antrim signing a deal to race a factory-supported VisionTrack Ducati V4 R in both the Superbike and Senior races at this year’s festival.
Dunlop didn’t enjoy the best of TTs in 2019, but despite finishing in the top six in the Superbike, Senior, Superstock and both Supersport events, he did win the Lightweight TT to add to his tally as the third most successful rider around the 37.73-mile course.
Michael Dunlop on the VisionTrack Ducati in testing
He will race his own machines in the Supersport and Superstock events but seven times BSB champions PBM will field the Ulsterman in the two main races as they look to add to their illustrious TT history.
The last time the Penrith-based team contested the Isle of Man TT Races was in 2015 when Ian Hutchinson scored a second in the Superbike TT and a third in the Senior TT as well as winning the Superstock TT race, all aboard PBM Kawasakis, to celebrate the team’s first major foray onto the Isle of Man for 12 years.
That success came after PBM previously contested the event with Ducati in 2003 when John McGuinness took second in the TT Formula 1 race and third in the Senior TT riding the MonsterMob-sponsored bikes.
Prior to that, Joey Dunlop – Michael’s uncle – famously won his last big bike TT for Paul Bird when he took victory in the 2000 TT Formula 1 race onboard a Demon Vimto Honda SP1, just a month before he was tragically killed in a race in Estonia.
PBM and Michael have worked together before when they prepared a Kawasaki ZX-10R for him to win the 2011 Superstock TT. Ducati’s current quickest lap at the TT is 128.717mph by Michael Rutter in 2011.
Michael Dunlop
Michael, who rode the machine for the first time at the official BSB test in Jerez, will also race the PBM-prepared VisionTrack Ducati at the 2020 International North West 200 in Northern Ireland during the week commencing Monday 11th May.
Meanwhile, regular Bennetts BSB riders Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon are continuing their Spanish pre-season schedule at Jerez today and tomorrow. The VisionTrack Ducati pairing were at the cutting edge of last week’s tests at Monteblanco, setting first and second fastest times on day one before ending day two with Australian Brookes second fastest and new signing Iddon in eighth.
Sometimes a bike’s looks strike you so strongly that any interesting history is just a happy addition. This Montesa 125 Sprint is a case in point.
Montesa 125 Sprint
Montesa 125 Sprint without fairing
The 1954 125 Sprint was Montesa’s first catalogue race bike and was based on the company’s road model, first introduced in 1945.
The Montesa 125 Sprint offered a catalogue racer
Montesa 125 Sprint
Factory racers were also campaigned successfully, notably finishing second, third and fourth in the Ultra Lightweight TT at the IOM in 1956.
Factory racer versions of the Montesa 125 Sprint also saw IoM success
Montesa 125 Sprint
The motor featured a six-speed bolt-on gearbox with needle-roller bearings throughout. It also had “plugs” mounted on the crankcase mouth that protruded up inside the interior of the piston to assist in transferring the intake charge to the combustion chamber.
The Montesa 125 Sprint produced 18 hp
Overall weight was just 55 kg
The petrol fuel mixture could be added to (for those demanding sections of track) by oil held in the frame that was bleed into the carburettor bell-mouth. The 55 kg bike made 18 hp and had a top speed of 150+km/h.
A top speed of 150km/h was also possible on the Montesa 125 Sprint
Montesa 125 Sprint
The dolphin fairing was introduced in late 1954, replacing the handlebar unit fitted prior – it was one of the first full fairings to be offered on a race bike.
The Montesa 125 Sprint ‘dolphin fairing’
Montesa 125 Sprint
This bike was bought directly from the factory, then the second owner, Swedish racer Leigh Smeadh passed it on to the current owner a few years ago.
The remarkable career of John Surtees – one of the greatest names in motorsport – will be celebrated at this year’s Classic TT, as the only man to ever win two and four-wheel World Championships.
A celebration lap will also be run featuring some of the bikes that are inextricably linked with his name, and will be ridden by well-known TT riders and guests connected to John’s motorcycle racing history.
John Surtees
The 2020 event will mark the 60th anniversary of John’s final TT appearance, where he won his sixth and final TT Race claiming the Senior TT title. In total John Surtees won seven motorcycle world championships including consecutive 350 and 500cc doubles in 1958, 1959 and 1960.
The 1960 MV Agusta that John rode to victory in the World Championship and Senior TT will take centre stage for the celebration lap and feature in a one off display in the Classic TT Paddock along with a number of other iconic machines from the Surtees family collection.
Other bikes include the 1949 Vincent Grey Flash that John won his first race on – a machine, which he considered the most important of his life and a Black Lightening Vincent from the same year. John’s time riding Nortons is also reflected with three bikes from the family collection – an F Norton 500cc Experimental Prototype, a 1959 Manx Norton and a 1953 Works Norton.
Riders confirmed to appear in the parade lap on Saturday 29th August include 23 time TT Race winner John McGuinness, Mick Grant who has ridden a number of John’s bikes over the years, Paul Hollywood, who became a firm friend of John’s after filming the BBC Legends documentary, Steve Parrish, Steve Plater and Ian Skinner, John’s team mechanic for over 35 years.
Count Domenico Agusta with John Surtees
John’s record on the Isle of Man included six TT race wins – four of which were in the blue riband Senior TT with a further four podiums from only 15 race starts – and only one DNF – before moving to four wheels and Formula 1 in 1961, clinching the World Championship in 1964 with Ferrari.
The event has been organised with the Surtees family to celebrate John’s life and career and John’s wife Jane and daughter Edwina will be attending. The celebration will also highlight the work of the TT Riders Association of which John was a former president.
Dead flies are still plastered to the front of Dean Harrison’s historic Senior winning Kawasaki. The rear Metzeler slick shows evidence of his celebratory burnout, with melted race rubber hangs from the rear undertray.
Senior TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
Chain lube is splattered over the factory swing-arm – even the Akrapovic logo, lost somewhere out there on the TT course, is still missing from the exhaust.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR Silicone Engineering
This very special Silicone Engineering ZX-10RR gave Kawasaki their first Senior TT win since Mick Grant in 1975, and crossed the finish line on Glencrutchery Road less than 24 hours before I got to throw a leg over the machine.
2019 Senior TT Results 1. Dean Harrison / Kawasaki 2. Peter Hickman / BMW +53.062 3.. Conor Cummins / Honda +58.879
The grips, the levers – everything – are as Dean left them. After my ride the bike headed into private storage to never be ridden again; its factory engine silenced forever as its proud owner puts it on display at home.
Bit of force gets put through these and the pegs to pilot this beast around the Isle of Man
This is one special bike
For those of you who thought Harrison’s TT winning bike was back racing in the British Superbike Championship at the next round, let me assure you it wasn’t. It’s true, many TT teams now run modified BSB bikes on the roads, but Dean’s ‘official’ Kawasaki is very different. This is a very special one-off.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
The wheels are the same as those used in BSB, but that is really where any similarity ends. The discs are a different spec’ and the brake calipers are changed too. Dean’s BSB bikes use a four-pot Brembo set up while the TT bike uses Nissin six-piston calipers. The Brembo brakes have more instant bite while the TT brakes are more consistent.
Dean Harrison – 2019 Senior TT winner
You’re never really punishing the brakes around the TT – you don’t need massive initial short-circuit bite – and Dean prefers the Nissin six-piston set up at the TT (although the rear thumb Nissin brake is similar to his BSB bike’s set-up).
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
Let’s talk suspension
The Öhlins forks are similar, but the BSB ZX-10RR makes full use of the latest Öhlins 2530 while the TT bike runs the older 2525 spec’ from 2018. With so little set-up time due to the bad weather in practice week at the 2019 TT the team didn’t get the opportunity to test new fork options, so ran the same forks as 2018.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
The main difference is the flex between the new and old forks, and Dean preferred the older set-up. The top yoke is changed to accommodate the smaller-diameter forks. The top yoke is also stiffer on the TT bike, with fewer cutaway sections.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
The Silicone team isn’t commercially linked to any products: everything they use, they buy. If an item doesn’t work, they won’t use it. And while the team runs an Öhlins unit to complement the front whne racing in BSB, Dean prefers a Maxton rear shock on the roads.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR uses a Maxton shock
In fact, if Dean wanted pink grips to make him faster, Silicone Engineering would buy him pink grips. Hard-centred TT tyres are, of course, supplied by Metzeler (it’s Pirelli in BSB), which again Dean is happy with.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
Bespoke items
Some components of the Senior TT-winning bike are completely bespoke. The swing-arm, for example, is the team’s own and the final version of six designs, which the team admit was excessively expensive to produce. Dean arrived at the TT with three different iterations, each one tweakable to increase or reduce flex and stiffness.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
This is done by adding or removing bolts within the structure of the arm. Version one, with no bolts, has lots of flex – then it’s version one with bolts, then version two without bolts, then version two with bolts… and so on, with each swing-arm version (with and without bolts) increasing or decreasing stiffness by around 10 per cent.
Essentially Dean has three different arms to choose from with each one having two variants. During a BSB weekend, Dean will normally use swing-arm number two with bolts, but at the TT it’s swing-arm one, as he prefers more flex.
As someone who has raced the TT I find it hard to believe Dean can feel the difference in 10 per cent more flex when lapping the TT at a 134 mph average, but as crew chief Jonny Bagnall explains, “Yes, he’ll notice the difference straight away. He’ll notice how much the bike slides, which I know sounds ridiculous around the TT, but Dean slides the bike. He prefers the bike to slide progressively, and we can help with that by increasing or reducing the flex in the swingarm. What he doesn’t want is the bike to snap out of line; he wants it to slide gracefully.”
Dean Harrison on his way to winning the 2019 Senior TT
Again, the frame is different from that of a BSB ZX-10RR. The road frame has more flex and isn’t braced heavily like the short circuit bike. In fact, the frame is showroom spec, the same as an everyday road bike.
Standard frame used on the Senior TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
New engine, more power
Kawasaki introduced a new engine last year with finger-followers on the valves, and lighter titanium rods, which not only reduced engine inertia but also allowed the stock engine to rev 500 rpm higher. The new engine developments allowed the team to find even more bhp, with a significant 10 hp gain in the mid-range.
Dean liked the old engine and compared it to a two-stroke – ‘You’ve got to keep it revving’, he said – but now loves the huge increase in mid-range torque.
The team is reluctant to quote an actual power figure, but you’re looking at a true 225 hp at the back wheel. And that significant increase in torque and power created handling issues the team had to work around.
2019 Senior TT winning ZX-10RR Kawasaki
The TT engines are Kawasaki factory and supplied by Kawasaki’s World Superbike engine builder, Akira, whereas the BSB engine is developed by the team using factory kit parts. The engines go from Kawasaki to Akira and then are delivered to the team run in and ready to go – it’s just a case of bolting the special engine in.
The oil has to be changed every 250 km and the filter every 500 km. And yes, those of you who are good at maths will have worked out that the six-lap Senior TT was more than 250 km.
Despite the lack of label, the exhaust is made by Akrapovic and Motec controls the electronics and fuelling, the same as BSB. Teams at the TT have the option to run a kit ECU, which would allow rider aids, but Dean and the team choose BSB spec’ electronics, which means Dean alone controls the 225 hp.
No traction control, just right hand control…
Again, the bodywork looks the same as any other race bike in BSB, but the top section is reinforced to make it stronger as you’re going that much fast for so much longer – and it stops flex. Surprisingly the screen is the same as BSB because Dean doesn’t use a large screen with add-ons like the majority of TT riders.
The fuel tanks, however, are completely different to both the BSB bike’s 22-litre tank and the standard road bike’s 17-litre tank. The TT bikes have a hand-made 24-litre tank that extends under the seat to keep the weight low and differs from those run by the other Kawasaki teams.
Adam Child on the Senior TT winning ZX-10RR Kawasaki
The bars and levers are the same as Dean’s BSB bike. Dean had been racing BSB in the summer to get ‘up-to-speed’ and didn’t want to get used to two bikes; therefore the bar position is similar on both bikes. The team worked countless hours on seat-position.
Their rider has been with the team for a few years and in 2018 they spent a huge amount of time getting Dean comfortable with the bike. The seat height is the same as the standard road-going ZX-10RR, even with the fuel tank running underneath the seat.
Little touches make the TT bike unique. The team has designed a captive spindle on the rear wheel so you can’t remove the entire spindle and place it on the ground; it doesn’t come fully out when you remove the rear wheel. Remember the Senior is over six-laps, which means two rear wheel changes in under 40-seconds per stop.
Trev took this photo of Dean Harrison after he won the 2019 Senior TT
The sub-frame is easily removable, all the electronics are upfront with the only wire going to the rear being for the mandatory rain light. This allows quick easy access.
Everything is lock-wired, the team will use a few metres of lock-wire on each bike build. Check out some of the detail images if you need convincing. Steering damper, calipers, exhaust bracket are all secured with meticulous and painstaking lock-wiring.
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
Close to running out of fuel!
Bob Grey, the team’s Data Technician, designed the switchgear, dash surround, rear rain light, and a few other items. Plastic printing was used and money was saved if needed, “The actual buttons are £3.75 plus VAT and on the TT bike we only need minimal buttons – a pit-lane limiter and a map switch – and on the right bar an on and off switch. We’ve also added a rain light button. The rain light is the blue button (water is blue), black is for the map switch, and orange is the pit lane limiter.
“We don’t show Dean a board and tell him to change the map. In practice we’ll change the mapping; if Dean thinks the mapping is shit, he can press the map button and it will go back to the previous map. The fuel map in the bike at the moment is the saving-fuel map.”
TT winning Kawasaki ZX-10RR
One of the problems the team encountered at the 2018 TT, especially in the first Superbike race on day one, was fuel starvation on the end of laps two and four – before the fuel stops. Dean was complaining the bike was surging. Bob and the team analysed the data and could see the fuel pressure dropping for a fraction of a second before the surging as the fuel tank levels depleted.
Bob explains the predicament the team was in the night before the senior, “We were up to the very early hours working out fuel consumption and looked at fuelling strategies. I could lean the motor, to save fuel, but then we could go too lean and the engine would over-heat and melt. But if I’d left the fuelling alone we would have most likely run out of fuel. So, I had to use some calculations and guesswork and went big.
“There was a little bit of surging at the end of lap two as Dean came into the pits, but we’d saved enough fuel to stop the surging in other places. Thankfully the bike ran fine. The link pipe turned purple, it must have been running hot, but we didn’t have any issues. When Dean noticed he had a big lead from his pit-board he maturely rolled off a little which also helped with fuel consumption.”
2019 Senior TT Results 1. Dean Harrison 2. Peter Hickman +53.062 3. Conor Cummins +58.879
Riding Dean Harrison’s Senior Kawasaki ZX-10RR
Let’s be honest, I’m not going to pretend I can feel the flex in the chassis. Nor did I push the handling limits, and I didn’t feel the used Metzeler slide – despite racing the TT several times I don’t have that level of skill.
I just wanted to get a flavour of the historic TT winning bike, which thankfully the team agreed to the morning after the TT. With hangovers still pounding from the previous night’s celebrations, we headed to out – and forgot the tyre warmers.
Adam Child on the Senior TT winning ZX-10RR Kawasaki
The TT winning bike starts on the button, but to ease the Nova gearbox, Jonny gives me a push to get everything moving before I slotted it into gear. Dean uses a conventional road shift, not a race shift, so it’s unusually down for first gear. The clutch feels heavy and the power is snatchy and aggressive low down. But I’m guessing Dean only lets the rev drop below 5000 rpm three times a lap, if that.
I’m obviously aware I’m on cold Metzeler slicks which have been abused around the TT and during a burn-out in the paddock. In the back of my mind, I know the bike is irreplaceable, and despite the fact that Dean is a good mate, he isn’t going to be too happy if I launch it.
Dean Harrison greeted by his family in Parc Ferme after taking victory in the 2019 Senior TT
As you’d expect, it’s quick, but it feels raw. The whole bike feels alive, it’s a 225 hp animal without any rider aids. I’ve ridden many TT-winning bikes, and they feel a little timid, but the Kawasaki doesn’t. The thought of riding this flat out at the TT scares me to death. And Dean was power sliding the beast and wrestling it around in fifth and sixth gear – he’s got balls.
The ride isn’t harsh; it’s not a plank of wood with a fast engine, and as Dean explained the brakes are progressive, dare I say user-friendly. The thumb back brake has a nice, smooth, fluid action and doesn’t require a huge input, unlike other thumb brakes I’ve used in the past. Alarmingly my foot does keep reaching for the conventional back brake pedal, which isn’t there – don’t think I’ll be trying any wheelies.
Adam Child on the Senior TT winning ZX-10RR Kawasaki
I love the simplicity of Dean’s bike and minimal buttons to minimise confusion. With its standard screen, simple dash with large digital rev counter there’s no glitz and glamour – it was built to do the job of winning the TT, and that’s it. Like a kit-car, it was designed for speed, not glamour or comfort, despite the face Dean has to ride flat out for close to two hours.
The bars are wide, and it feels like a big bike (with a full 24-litres of fuel she must have been a handful). The steering isn’t light, either, and make no mistake the big Kwaka took some riding. However, Dean is adamant it wasn’t that much of a handful, and it certainly looked like he was dancing with the ZX-10RR for most of the time. Simply having fun.
Adam Child on the Senior TT winning ZX-10RR Kawasaki
After a short ride, I was happy to give it back in one piece. It’s never nice riding a mate’s bike, especially one that happens to be priceless and has just won the TT. I’d like to say I’d love to ride it in anger, but I don’t think I would, especially not on the road. This is one scary and raw bike I’ll happily give back.
Adam Child was very happy to get the bike back in one piece
How the 2019 Senior race was won
Dean Harrison claimed his first senior win after Peter Hickman’s Smiths BMW began to overheat on lap five. Peter had a lead of nearly 20 seconds, but it was clear Peter had a problem as he left the second pit-stop. Down Sulby Straight Peter was down to 159 mph, compared to Dean at 191 mph.
By Ramsey Dean had an eight-second lead, with Conor 36-seconds back in third. On the last lap, it was clear Hickman had an ongoing issue again only posting 165 mph through the speed trap, and Dean continued to pull out a lead to more than 40-seconds.
On the run over the mountain, as Hickman’s problems continued, it looked like Conor on the Padgetts Honda may snatch the second spot, but Hickman just held on to second position, eventually finishing, 53-seconds behind Dean and just five seconds ahead of Conor. Michael Dunlop rounded off the top four.
The front of the Silicone Engineering Kawasaki after almost two hours of racing at the Senior TT
Dean was clearly overjoyed to take his first big bike win, “To finish first, you first must finish and the bike never missed a beat. I can’t believe it. I’m happy it’s a proper six-lap Senior Superbike win, I’m so happy for the team. The fans and the marshals were all waving, it’s amazing. I got a board which said P1 plus 30 so I knew Peter had a problem. I’m so going to celebrate tonight, you don’t want to know how I’m going to celebrate, it’s going to be big.”
Dean Harrison – Senior TT Winner – 2019
Peter Hickman sharing of his issues, “I got off to good start and I knew the first lap was 16-min as I came up on the dash. But as I came away from the pitstop the bike was overheating and when the bike went over 11,000rpm it was pissing water out. I couldn’t go past 11,000, so I just short-shifted everywhere, the last few laps seemed to take forever. It’s a problem we’ve had on the Superbike, but not on the Superstock, and we have some amazing people in the Smiths racing but we don’t know why.”
Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison in Parc Ferme – Senior TT 2019
Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd on Fireblade SP at NW200
Glenn Irwin, the winner of the last four Superbike races at the North coast event, and Davey Todd, who claimed his first major road race win at last year’s NW200, will race the new machine in the Superbike and Superstock races at Portrush. Alongside his brother Andrew, Irwin will also spearhead Honda’s 2020 BSB challenge and make his debut on the TT’s Mountain course. Accompanied by Honda Racing team boss Havier Beltram, Irwin and Todd recently visited the North West 200 circuit.
Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd visited the NW200 circuit this week
Irwin maintains he has ‘zero expectations’ for the Manx event but his success around the 8.9 mile Triangle course means things will be very different for the Carrickfergus racer at the NW200.
‘The North West is an end in itself, it isn’t preparation for the TT’ Irwin insists.
‘I love this part of the world, I love the road racing vibe and I understand why there is an expectation on me.’
Glenn Irwin – Superbike winner – 2019 North West 200 with Kawasaki
Irwin’s move to Honda comes after spells with PBM Ducati, Quattro Plant Kawasaki and Tyco BMW over the past three seasons. Alongside Todd, Irwin will enjoy Spanish, BSB and Castle Combe test sessions plus the opening two British championship rounds at Silverstone and Oulton Park to familiarise himself with the new superbike.
Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd visited the NW200 circuit this week
‘We will have plenty of testing but will everything be in place by April or May?’ he said.
‘Probably not because that is just how racing is. But by the time the North West comes around I think we will be starting to find our feet with the bike.’
Irwin knows he will have to push hard on the new Honda to claim a fifth NW200 big bike victory.
‘Anyone who comes to the North West and says they aren’t trying, well I’ve raced with them all and I think they are trying harder than me!’ he smiled.
‘We all know everyone wants to win here. Look at the fight Michael Dunlop put up to me two years ago. He was the only one who came. Peter Hickman didn’t come, Michael Rutter didn’t come. None of the short circuit men came, but the man who was going to the TT with probably more pressure on him than anyone else came.’
2020 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP
Despite being the rider everyone will be trying to beat, Irwin remains confident he has the experience to handle the pressure from his main rivals.
‘I’ve won a last lap race at the North West and I’ve come around on the first lap five seconds ahead of everyone.’ he explains.
‘I’ve made a mistake and recovered and pulled away again. I’ve won in the wet. These are all things I didn’t think I would do and I can’t doubt what I can do because I have now won four in a row. I am happy because when you win somewhere that feels like home you can take that tag. I feel like this is my house.’
Irwin says he is happy to have new team-mate, Davey Todd, alongside him in the Honda garage at Portrush.
‘Davey is one of the good guys.’ Irwin says.
‘He is doing well for himself but doesn’t put it in your face.’
2020 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP
Todd’s Honda seat for the 2020 roads campaign plus the British Superstock championship is a fitting reward for the 24 year old following his stellar 2019 season with the Penz13.com BMW and Milenco Padgett’s Honda teams.
Alongside winning the International Road Racing Championship, lapping the TT at over 131mph and claiming two rostrum finishes at the Ulster Grand Prix, Todd scored his first international road race win in only his second appearance at the North West 200.
2020 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP
‘I felt good from the start and I have always been strong in the wet.’ the Saltburn rider recalled.
‘It was a great battle with so many passes on every lap between Derek McGee and my Milenco Padgett’s teammate, Conor Cummins. The lead was changing all the time. I would go from third to second then into the lead and be back to third on the same lap! It was an aggressive battle but I had a massive smile on my face because it’s the reason we all do this.’
The youngster has enjoyed a supercharged rise through the road racing ranks to catch the eye of Honda’s management. Todd puts his progress down to his experience in a diverse variety of bike racing disciplines.
‘I have raced in everything from motocross to supermoto.’ Todd smiled.
‘I had a couple of years on the short circuits before I came to the roads, then a season on the Irish roads with John Burrows’ team. I have raced in the IRRC series as well as at the TT, NW200, Ulster and at Macau. They are all building blocks that have helped me progress as a rider. I am eager to get back to the NW and TT but also to race in the British Superstock championship to prove what I can do on the short circuits.’
2020 Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP
Todd says he wants to learn from team-mate Irwin at the North West.
‘Glenn is on a different footing at the North West than he will be at the TT.’ he said.
‘He is the target man at the North West but our mindset is to try to work as a team. We have talked about it and we want to try and help each other. I have a bit more experience than him at the TT and he can help me out at the NW. It would be silly not to.’
That co-operation will only last until the race begins though.
‘Then it will be every man for himself.’ Todd smiles.
‘Once the flag drops we will both want to win and I would love to be battling at the front with Glenn.’
Honda (UK) has confirmed a return to the Isle of Man TT Races as the Honda Racing team with a new rider line-up of Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd, who will contest the RST Superbike and Senior TT Races and RL360 Superstock TT classes aboard the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP. The pair will make their debut at the North West 200 before the TT campaign begins Source: MCNews.com.au
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