Michael Dunlop has been announced as part of the Team Classic Suzuki 2019 Classic TT effort, with the three-rider team also including Phil Crowe and Danny Webb. Dunlop and Crowe will compete aboard GSX-R1100 powered XR69s, while Webb will ride a Suzuki RG500.
Michael Dunlop
Ulsterman Dunlop, who hopes to be fully fit after his recent spill at the Southern 100, will lead the team in the four-lap RST Superbike race. Dunlop missed last year’s event after withdrawing from racing for the second half of the season but having won the race in 2013, 2015 and again in 2016, he will undoubtedly start as one of the pre-race favourites.
The 30-year old dominated the inaugural race six years ago before having a close battle with 500cc-mounted Bruce Anstey in 2015, and then successfully saw off the challenge of Harrison in 2016. Dunlop’s lap in that race of 126.808 mph is his fastest in the class and is only bettered by Anstey and Harrison who lapped in excess of 127 mph two years ago when the Ballymoney rider was in early retirement.
Dunlop has however, also aggravated a broken wrist injury, sustained at the Southern 100 earlier in July, and emerged from the hospital with his wrist in plaster, sharing on social media, “The Doc reckons that’s the end of race season for this year. Think again Doc…” He was also reported to have broken his pelvis in the same incident.
Michael Dunlop (1000 Suzuki/Team Classic Suzuki) at Douglas Road corner, Kirk Michael during Friday evening’s Classic TT qualifying session. PICTURE BY DAVE KNEEN/PACEMAKER PRESS
Webb continues with the team for a fourth successive year. He raced an XR69 in the first two years with his best performance being 2016 when he finished in a strong sixth place after recording a fastest lap of 121.289mph. He also took ninth in 2017 on the same machine.
Twelve months ago he had his first taste of two-stroke action around the Mountain Course though when he rode the team’s RG500 Suzuki. After lapping at 115.572mph during practice week, he was unluckily forced to retire from the race but with a year’s experience under their belt, they are well placed to improve on that result this year.
Classic TT 2016 – Danny Webb – Image by Kevin Warren
The RG500 Suzuki enjoyed considerable success in the World and British Formula One Championship races of the 1980s and both Webb and the team will again be aiming to set the fastest lap around the 37.73-mile Mountain Circuit by an RG500. This mark is currently held by Rob McElnea who recorded a lap of 118.24 mph some 25 years ago during a titanic battle with Joey Dunlop in the 1984 Senior TT.
Crowe lines up with Steve Wheatman’s team at the Classic TT for the second time, having proved his pedigree recently at the TT. The Lincolnshire rider has been regularly challenging for top ten positions and has now lapped at almost 130 mph – his fastest lap of 129.957 mph came in last year’s Superbike race. He finished 14th in the RST Superbike race at this year’s TT.
Phil Crowe at the IoM TT back in 2017
Crowe was seventh fastest qualifier for last year’s RST Superbike Classic TT with a near 121 mph lap and both he and Webb will looking to maintain Team Classic Suzuki’s success at the event.
2019 Classic TT tickets available
Tickets for the 2019 Classic TT are now on sale via the Official iomttraces.com website (link) with Official Grandstand Tickets, VIP Hospitality Experiences, and Official Entertainment Events including the Counterfeit Stones Classic TT Party Performance all available.
Next month’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts will see the emotional return of Bruce Anstey to competitive racing around the TT Mountain Course.
Bruce Anstey about to receive the tap on the shoulder to start the Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT Race in 2017. Photo Stephen Davison / Pacemaker Press Intl
The popular New Zealander hasn’t raced since the 2017 event with the subsequent two years seeing him absent due to cancer treatement but with that now, thankfully, behind him, he will make a stunning return with his regular Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles team riding a RS250 Honda in the four-lap Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT Race.
Clive Padgett hugs Bruce Anstey after his record-setting win in the Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT Race in 2017. Photo Stephen Davison / Pacemaker Press Intl
One of the greatest road racers of all time, Anstey has won no less than 13 races at the Isle of Man TT but he’s also been one of the most successful riders at the Classic TT since its inception in 2013 and his six podiums – which have come in the Senior, Lightweight and Superbike classes – is the joint highest total, a figure he shares with Ian Lougher and Lee Johnston.
Bruce Anstey (250 Honda/Padgetts Motorcycles.com) at Ballacraine during qualifying for the 2017 Bennett’s Classic TT.
Included in those six podiums are three wins with his first victory coming in the 2014 Superbike Classic TT Race riding Padgetts 500cc YZR Yamaha. Three years later he set the current lap record in the class with a speed of 127.496mph, finishing second to Dean Harrison, and that year also saw him claim his first win in the Lightweight Classic TT class.
Bruce Anstey (500 Yamaha/Padgetts Motorcycles.com) approaching the Gooseneck during the 2017 Motorsport Merchandise Superbike Classic TT race. PICTURE BY DAVE KNEEN
Win number two on the RS250 Honda came a year later and that victory saw him make history as he became the first, and only, rider to lap the 37.73-mile circuit at more than 120mph on a 250cc machine, his lap record currently standing at a stunning 120.475mph.
Classic TT 2016 – Bruce Anstey
Anstey will be joined at the Classic TT by team-mates Conor Cummins and Davey Todd who both enjoyed excellent TT campaigns for the Batley-based concern earlier this year.
Local hero Cummins, twice a podium finisher at the Classic TT, will line up on the 500cc YZR Yamaha in the RST Superbike Race which he took to third place twelve months ago with Todd riding the 750cc OW01 Yamaha that both Cummins and the late Dan Kneen have campaigned at the event.
The OW01 was previously used in the World Superbike Championship by Rob McElnea and Todd, the second fastest newcomer in TT history, will also line up alongside Anstey in the Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT Race on a second RS250 Honda.
A happy Bruce Anstey celebrating his win in the RST Superbike Race at the 2015 Isle of Man TT
Get Routed offer a range of motorcycling shipping services, allowing motorcyclists to have their motorcycle transported for the ultimate two wheeled travel experience, including to locations such as United Kingdom, Spain, Greece, the Isle of Man and New Zealand.
Each year Get Routed organise IoM TT experiences for Aussie and Kiwi riders, with strictly limited spaces available for the 2020 event, and they also have pre-booked accommodation for the TT fortnight. There’s also space for those happy to take a tent and camp out, as an additional option, that Get Routed can also help organise.
Riders await the mountain section of the Isle of Man TT Course being opened to public traffic, there are no speed limits!
Get Routed also book ferry tickets from Liverpool or Heysham across to the Isle of Man each year far in advance, that can be used by their customers. This is far more important than you might think, as IOM TT ferry tickets can sell out in minutes and are generally booked out over 12 months in advance and cost over $500 AUD.
Ferry port at Douglas, Isle of Man
Of course if you take your own bike you not only get to the lap the TT course, and visit all corners of what is quite a beautiful island under your own steam and in your own time, you can also then extend your holiday and ride throughout the UK or continue over to Europe.
With Get Routed your bike can stay in Europe for a couple of months before being shipped back to Australia, and there are no extra charges for extending your stay in Europe and undertaking your own tour, in your own time. Perhaps even take in a round of MotoGP while you are on the European mainland.
Tour England’s Peak District ahead of your Isle of Man adventure
Here’s the full scoop from Dave of Get Routed, with contact details for those interested. With strictly limited spaces each year it’s worth getting in quick.
“I have been coming to the TT since 1983 and started shipping motorcycles to UK and Europe since 2001 and over that time have transported almost 3000 motorcycles to the UK and other European destinations. Of course we also provide shipping services across the Tasman for those riders wanting to tour New Zealand on their own motorcycle.
The Isle of Man can be a stunning place to spend time
“I also book plenty of accommodation on the Isle of Man each year for the TT fortnight, with quality options in the beautiful seaside towns of Port Erin and Port Mary. Including a self contained fully restored stone farm cottage built in 1850.
Port Erin
“This accommodation is not available to people who don’t want to take a bike to the TT. The accommodation and ferry tickets are only available to those who want bikes shipped to the UK and back, from either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. Of course for those wanting to take a tent and camp out at one of the many IoM camp sites I can also help facilitate this.
“Laps of the TT Mountain Course circuit during open road times across the TT fortnight is not difficult.
Motorcycles being prepared for shipping
“Bikes are generally loaded in Australia towards the end of February and available for collection in Felixstowe, Suffolk, UK towards the end of April. Your motorcycle luggage can also be transported in the container ready for your collection with your motorcycle.”
Trev’s Fireblade with some of the other bikes shipped from Australia to the UK with Get Routed for TT 2019 – Image by Steve/Sue Frew
How much does this type of service cost?
The 2020 and 2021 Isle of Man TT motorcycle shipping and accommodation package, which includes ferry tickets for you and your motorcycle across the Irish Sea, and 14-nights quality lodgings on the Isle of Man, sells for $7436. Spaces are always limited thus advance bookings are thoroughly recommended.
To make an enquiry or a booking email [email protected] or phone 03 5625 9080.
Six-times Ulster GP winner Michael Dunlop will race a Tyco BMW S1000RR in the superbike races at the 2019 Ulster Grand Prix alongside his own MD/ Racing CBR600RR Honda and BMW in the Supersport and Superstock classes.
“It’s been a couple of years since I was at the Ulster and I am looking forward to getting back on a bike around Dundrod.” the 30 year old said during a visit to the Co Antrim circuit.
Dunlop recently won his 19th TT on a Paton in the Lightweight TT at this year’s Manx event, notching up a 50th TT success for the illustrious Dunlop name on the Mountain course. The Ballymoney man will compete at next week’s Southern 100 as he battles to get up to speed for the Ulster after missing most of the 2018 season following the death of his brother, William, at the Skerries 100 last July.
Michael Dunlop – Lightweight TT 2019
“I haven’t carried much performance at the Ulster for a while and I am still short of bike time which puts me on the back foot.” Dunlop said.
“I didn’t get many laps at the North West or TT this year so it will be good to get out on the bikes again at the Southern.’ Dunlop pulled out of competing in last weekend’s Pike’s Peak hill climb in Colorado after aggravating an arm injury he picked up in pre-season testing when he crashed his Ford Escort out of the Donegal International rally.
“I am still suffering a bit with the shoulder and wrist but I am getting treatment at the minute.” the Tyco BMW star explained.
“I will just have to suffer the pain with it for now until I can get an operation.”
Although he has made several visits to the Ulster Grand Prix podium in recent seasons, it is six years since Dunlop enjoyed the victor’s champagne at the Ulster with a win in the 2013 Superstock race on a Honda.
Michael Dunlop at the Ulster GP in 2016
The 30 year old says he wants more of the Dundrod success that saw him open his run of UGP victories with a thrilling treble at the 2011 meeting, winning the Superstock event and both Supersport races.
Twelve months later the Ballymoney man took another Ulster double in the Superbike and Stocker races. Although he has also claimed victories in the now defunct Dundrod 150 superbike race, that 2011 UGP big bike win remains Dunlop’s only superbike success at the Ulster.
Dunlop candidly admits he is struggling to find the pace after missing almost all of the 2018 season that would put him back into contention with rivals like Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison.
William Dunlop – Ulster GP 2016
“I need miles on the bike.” Dunlop said.
“I got a win on the smaller bike at the TT because it wasn’t so hard to ride with the injury. But I just didn’t have enough time on the other bikes between being too sore and breaking down in practice.”
The Ballymoney man said a spate of minor injury and machinery problems have combined to prevent him from getting back to his previous best.
“There has just been a series of knocks with this and that which have all added up when you are already up against it to start with after being off the bike for so long.” the Tyco BMW rider explained.
Dunlop compared his situation with that of rivals like Hickman, Harrison and Lee Johnston.
Michael Dunlop – Lightweight TT 2019
“The other boys are riding bikes all the time in the British championship but I haven’t sat on a bike since the TT.” he said.
Despite these problems, Dunlop says he is as hungry as ever to get back to winning races.
“I love winning, that is the whole point of racing motorbikes.” he said.
“If I didn’t think I could win I wouldn’t bother racing at all. I feel bad for Phillip Neill and the rest of the Tyco boys because I haven’t been able to give them anything back after all their hard work. It is as frustrating for them as it is for me.”
Does the Ballymoney rider believe he can get back on to the podium in the last domestic international road race of the year?
“I suppose all of this stuff puts me back into the life of the underdog but I don’t mind that.” Dunlop smiled.
“If I thought I wasn’t quick enough I wouldn’t be in the game. I wouldn’t embarrass myself. I just need these wee silly things ironed out that are holding me back and then get my finger out.”
Mitsuo Ito, the first Japanese rider to take victory at the Isle of Man TT in 1963, passed away overnight (July 3) at the age of 82.
Mitsuo Ito on the top step of the podium at the Isle of Man TT in 1963
As an employee rider of Suzuki, Ito participated in domestic and international racing, including Road Racing Grand Prix from 1959 to 1969.
Mitsuo Ito
After retiring from racing, he took part in Suzuki’s racing activities including the development of racing machines and world-class technologies, as well as working with the development of Suzuki riders, including Kevin Schwantz, who went on to become the 500cc World Champion in 1993.
Mitsuo Ito
Ito was inducted into the Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ) Motorcycle Sport Hall of Fame last December for his achievement in 1963 at the Isle of Man TT.
Australian Rennie Scaysbrook took an incredible victory at Pikes Peak overnight on a factory backed Aprilia RSV4. Scaysbrook is only the second foreigner to win the infamous Pikes Peak Hill Climb, a race steeped in American racing folklore since its first running more than a century ago.
Ducati’s Carlin Dunne had taken pole position for the famous event and it was shaping up to be an epic battle betwee Dunne and Scaysbrook come race day over the 156-turn, 20-kilometre Pikes Peak course.
Ride Pikes Peak with Rennie Remember Rennie had no idea of Dunne’s death at this point
Scaysbrook took the win while Dunne, on a prototype factory backed Ducati V4 Streetfighter, crashed just metres from the finish line.
Dunne had been the favourite as he raced for his fifth Pikes Peak title, a race that Ducati has put massive resources behind in what is one of the most high profile events for the Italian brand in North America.
Bystanders at first thought that Dunne was going to be okay and it was not until later that the collective hearts of the Colorado Springs community and the Board of Directors of The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb sank to share the grief and pain of Carlin Dunne’s family, friends and fans over his untimely death at 36-years of age.
Dunne is the seventh death which has been attributed to participation in the 97-year running of the event.
Pikes Peak Official Statement
“Throughout the 97 years that this unique race has been conducted on America’s Mountain, we have experienced the ultimate joy in victory, the disappointment of failure and now, the unexpected heartbreak of the loss of a competitor, whose love of the race brought him to Pikes Peak. We mourn the tragic death of Carlin and he will remain in our hearts forever as part of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb family. Carlin will be remembered as a warm hearted mentor with a competitive spirit. He was a gentle and thoughtful man who touched everyone who met him. We will always remember his contagious smile and genuine love for sport”. The Board of Directors of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
“There are no words to describe our shock and sadness. Carlin was part of our family and one of the most genuine and kind men we have ever known. His spirit for this event and love of motorcycling will be remembered forever as his passing leaves a hole in our hearts,” said Jason Chinnock, CEO Ducati North America.
With our deepest condolence.
Carlin Dunne on the Ducati Streetfighter V4 prototype at Pikes Peak
The 2019 Classic TT kicks off on Saturday August 17 and runs through to Monday August 26, with all the actual race action held across the Augusta 24-26 long weekend. This year’s event honours Steve Hislop for his contribution to Isle of Man racing, which includes his benchmark first ever 120mph lap of the Mountain Course in 1989.
Gary Johnson and Conor Cummins – Classic TT 2018
‘Back to the Future: The Hizzy Years’ will include a pop-up museum featuring some of Scot’s historic machines, with a Steve Hislop Commemorative Lap to be held on the race Saturday.
Honda will also be celebrating a historic 60-years at the Isle of Man, with a specially restored Honda RC142 by CMSNL, while Giacomo Agostini will also be in attendance, taking part in the parade lap on Monday August 26, and as guest of honour at the RST Classic TT Heroes dinner.
Carl Fogarty’s Loctite Yamaha 0W01 and the Norton NRS588 that Steve Hislop raced in the 1992 Senior TT
The on-track action comes thick, fast and not to mention loud, with the final qualifying and the paddock carnival just a precursor to the weekend, Saturday 24th and UK Bank Holiday Monday August 26, of thrilling wheel to wheel racing by machines and riders that belie the term Classic. Current stars who have taken the challenge include John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Dean Harrison, Lee Johnston, James Hillier and Conor Cummins.
Saturday’s racing sees the Bennetts Classic TT Senior Race opening the programme. The 500cc class sees a multitude of 1960’s machines go head to head in a nostalgic international battle; the classic style and sound of the Italian marques – Paton, Ducati, MV Agusta, taking on the Japanese giants Honda and Yamaha. With the older and no less successful, traditional British brands such as Norton, Matchless, BSA and Royal Enfield will try to recreate past glories. The welcome, and evocative, return of the Lightweight 250 machines to the TT Mountain Course completes Saturday’s programme.
Michael Rutter – Classic TT 2018
Monday’s race programme begins with the Junior Classic TT Race; a field dominated by Honda although the traditional British manufacturing industry is well represented with Velocettes, Nortons, BSA, and Matchless machines.
The meeting reaches its pinnacle with the RST Superbike Classic TT Race which features a cut-off date of 1993, these historic machines display strong links to their modern counterparts with lap times to match.
Bisecting the race action, the Classic TT off track festival maintains the buzz with the traditional Classic TT Party on Saturday night which this year features the Counterfeit Stones – delivering their own nostalgic tribute to match the trackside retrospective.
Dominic Herbertson – 350 Honda – Classic TT 2018
The festival action moves to the North of the Island for the VMCC’s annual Festival of Jurby – thousands of like-minded bike owners sharing their two wheeled passion with the quality of bikes on the track more than matched by the ones in the car park.
Sunday evening features the RST Classic TT Heroes Dinner where tales of derring-do are swapped by fans and legends cheek by jowl in the VIP Hospitality Unit.
A free paddock screening of four cinematic classics from the era at the Sundown Cinema – ‘Back to the Future’ from 1985, the tub thumping ‘Commitments’ (1991) – sure to get the paddock rocking – 1992’s pop culture classic Wayne’s World, and Bill Murray’s definitive appearance as a hapless reporter in Groundhog Day – wrap up the four day festival in a celluloid frame.
Ripley Land Racing Michael Rutter & Adam McLean
Ripley Land Racing have opted for a healthy blend of youth and experience, having signed TT stars Michael Rutter and Adam McLean for this year’s annual event. Having ridden for the team since 2014, Rutter will again campaign a 350cc Drixton Honda in the Junior Classic TT where he will be joined by young gun McLean who will ride a 350cc AJS 7R. The Northern Ireland youngster will also contest the Bennetts Senior Classic TT on the team’s 500cc Seeley G50 previously ridden by Rutter.
Ripley Land Racing have signed Michael Rutter and Adam McLean
In addition to the success enjoyed with Rutter, the Guildford-based team have also taken two race wins at the meeting with Chris Palmer, and Cameron Donald another rider to have enjoyed some strong results on board their machines. With Rutter and McLean signed for 2019, their intentions are clear for this year’s Classic TT, and they have a great chance of adding to their already impressive track record.
Team York Suzuki Gary Johnson & Sam West
Team York Suzuki are also set to challenge for honours at this year’s Classic TT, having secured the talented services of Gary Johnson and Sam West for the August event. Both Johnson and West will contest the four-lap RST Superbike Race on identically-prepared 1100cc Suzuki machines for Kevin Pearson’s York-based team.
The Team York Suzuki team will include Gary Johnson and Sam West
It will be Johnson’s fourth successive year with the team and although he’s found luck in scarce supply in recent years, his undoubted pace means he’s more than capable of pushing for a podium position, at the very least. The double TT winner has recorded a best lap of 123.864mph on the striking blue and white machines and was running in third place in last year’s race before being forced to retire at the beginning of the third lap. He did, however, take fifth place in 2016. West joins the team for the first time replacing Australian David Johnson, who competed with the team at the Classic TT between 2015 and 2018.
The 2019 line-up should again see Pearson’s team well to the fore with both riders having a great chance to impress.
Mistral Racing Paul Jordan & Derek McGee
Mistral Racing will field two of the Mountain Course’s rising stars for this year’s Classic TT, having signed Paul Jordan and Derek McGee for the August meeting. Both Jordan and McGee will ride identically-prepared ZXR 750 Kawasaki’s on Monday’s four-lap RST Superbike Race.
Mistral Racing announced Paul Jordan and Derek McGee as riders for 2019
Jordan joined the team in 2018, as a late replacement for McGee after he was injured at the Ulster Grand Prix, with the Magherafelt rider going on to put in a superb performance. With a fastest lap of 122.445mph on the green, white and red Kawasaki, the 27-year old had worked his way up to fourth place behind Dean Harrison, Horst Saiger and Conor Cummins before cruelly being forced to retire on the final lap.
McGee, meanwhile, had been due to make his Classic TT debut last year before the incident at the Ulster GP when he was the victim of another rider’s crash. Once back to full fitness, the ‘Mullingar Missile’ will finally get to make his first Classic TT appearance later this year where, together with Jordan, he forms a formidable looking team with the duo having a great chance of recording a podium finish.
Alasdair Cowan Racing David Johnson & Craig Neve
Alasdair Cowan Racing became one of the first teams to announce their line up for this year’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts, with David Johnson and Craig Neve contesting the RST Superbike Classic TT Race. The duo will line up on identically-prepared ZXR750 Kawasaki’s for the four-lap race which is scheduled to take place on the Bank Holiday Monday of August 26th.
David Johnson – TT 2019
ACR made their debut at last year’s Classic TT with Neve and former Senior Manx Grand Prix winner Andrew Dudgeon on board. Neve was forced to retire from a top ten position on the second lap, whilst Dudgeon went on to take a brilliant fourth place.
Dudgeon’s best lap averaged a speed of 123.024mph, which more than proved the capability and competitiveness of the ACR machines. With continued support from Robert Burns Ltd, team principal Alasdair Cowan is confident of an even better showing in 2019.
David Johnson – Supersport TT 2019
Neve will be making his third appearance at the Classic TT presented by Bennetts, while Australian ace Johnson, who recently signed for the Honda Racing squad, will be back for a fourth attempt. The Adelaide rider has previously campaigned Suzuki XR69 machinery at the event, taking an excellent third place in 2015 and fourth in 2017 with Team York Suzuki.
His move to ACR sees him join a long list of Kawasaki riders in the headline race, with the ZXR750 becoming the dominant bike in the class over the last two years, taking 6 of the top 7 spots in last year’s race.
Jamie Coward joins McLean and Vines on TZ250 Yamahas
Binch Racing will be amongst the favourites for success at this year’s Classic TT, presented by Bennetts, with a three rider line up of Jamie Coward, Adam McLean and Gary Vines.
The trio will all contest the four-lap Dunlop Lightweight Classic TT race on immaculately prepared TZ250 Yamaha’s for the team run by former Manx Grand Prix rider David Binch.
Jamie Coward, this year’s TT Privateer’s Champion, is a new addition to the team in 2019 and will be having his first taste of two-stroke racing at the Classic TT. However, he’s no stranger to the event itself and, having already competed in the three other classes, has chalked up five podiums in the Senior and Junior Classic TT races.
The Hebden Bridge rider has proven to be one of the most versatile riders currently competing on the roads and is in arguably the best form of his career. He’s already been in action on the Binch Racing machine this year with the 28-year old running at the front at the Pre-TT Classic meeting at Billown.
Adam McLean had his first two-stroke outing on the Mountain Course at last year’s event and he gave the team an excellent result when, after leading in the early stages, he finished in the runners-up spot to Lee Johnston.
The 23-year old Ulsterman pushed his more experienced rival all the way and although he was ultimately overhauled for the win, a superb best lap of 116.870mph enabled him to finish in second place and ahead of riders including Ian Lougher and Dean Harrison.
Gary Vines completes the line-up with the Colchester rider having been one of the leading two-stroke exponents of recent years. Winner of the 2015 Newcomers Manx Grand Prix, the 28-year old finished in sixth place in the 2016 Lightweight Classic TT race and was running in fifth place last year for the team before being forced to retire.
With a fastest lap on the 250cc Yamaha in excess of 112mph, his credentials around the 37.73-mile circuit speak for themselves and together with McLean and Coward, Binch Racing have assembled a formidable looking line up that is sure to be challenging for the race win.
Giacomo Agostini
Legendary Italian racer Giacomo Agostini, with 15 world championship titles to his name, will ride the iconic Robert Iannucci owned 350cc MV Agusta ‘Quattro Cilindri’ that was first introduced in the 1972 World Championship season and replaced the hugely successful MV Agusta triples that won the 350cc World Championship every year from 1968 to 1973.
Giacomo Agostini
He will ride in a parade lap at the Classic TT on the 350cc MV Agusta ‘Quattro Cilindri’, which owner Rob Iannucci acquired from the MV Agusta Cascina Costa Racing shop in 1986 and the Team Obsolete technicians have refurbished the bike while maintaining it in its original ‘as raced’ condition.
Giacomo will lead the field away in the Classic TT Lap of Honour on Monday 26th August. He will also be a guest of honour at the RST Classic TT Heroes dinner on Sunday 25th August as well as appearing at the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Festival of Jurby earlier in the day.
Rob Iannucci – Team Obsolete
“We have been a passionate supporter of the Classic TT concept since its initial inception and the chance to bring back the combination of one of the greatest names in TT history and one of the most iconic marques was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We are delighted to be able to give people on the Isle of Man the chance to witness this remarkable bike being ridden on the Mountain Course and to be able to add another chapter to this prestigious event’s growing reputation. We thank our sponsors Avon Tyres and Red Line Synthetic Oil”
Honda celebrate 60 years on the Mountain Course
Mike Buttinger, founder and owner of CMSNL, has recreated a Honda RC142 – the first Honda motorcycle to compete in the TT Races back in 1959, with the marque celebrating their 60th year at the IoM TT in 2019.
Working with Marnix Deibert and Sebas Van De Broek, Buttinger has rebuilt a complete RC142 from only an engine, fuel tank, swingarm, wheel hubs, and an assortment of smaller components. Leaving Deibert and Van De Broek with the sizeable task of recreating the frame, suspension, aluminium fairing, and a significant number of smaller components entirely by hand.
The machines were originally developed and supplied by Honda in 1959, and entered in the 125cc Lightweight TT Race, the nine-man team featured four Japanese riders and one American. A number of the Japanese riders had never ridden on tarmac before, only dirt, while their helmets failed to meet the standards set by the ACU.
With its aluminium fairing and out-of-date bottom-link front suspension, the RC142 was derided by many who saw it that year. Concern also came from within the team, as team leader Kiyoshi Kawashima San had concerns about the frame rigidity and brake performance.While American Bill Hunt fell from the race, the other four machines and riders performed impeccably, with only a broken rear brake rod pin causing an issue.
Tarquinio Provini won the race on the MV Agusta, but it was a landmark day for Honda. Naomi Taniguchi won a Silver Replica with a sixth place finish, with Giichi Suzuki seventh, Teisuke Tanaka eighth and Junzo Suzuki in tenth, meaning the team won the Constructor’s Prize.
Honda returned in 1960 with an improved machine and hired riders such as Jim Redman and Tom Phillis, who then won the 125cc World Championship just one year later.
South Australia’s David Johnson had scored a couple of fourth place finishes in previous TT appearances but 2019 marked a breakthrough for the 37-year-old as he raced to a hard fought podium in the Superstock TT.
Johnson was hoping for a repeat performance in Friday’s Senior TT but after an impressive opening lap of 130.98mph, disappointment then struck at the end of lap two when a vibration caused the crank position sensor to fail, shutting down the bike and forcing him to retire. Early in the week he had claimed tenth in the Supersport TT.
We caught up with Davo after the Senior TT to recap his TT week.
David Johnson
Trev: I am with David Johnson here at the TT paddock on Friday, immediately after a disappointing senior TT, but with the glory of a Superstock podium still fresh from Thursday that must be a great reward for some of the pre-season effort and the faith Honda has put in you.
David Johnson: “Today, the Senior TT hasn’t gone so well, but we were looking like we were in a good position there – I think it’s an antipodean thing, we come out of the box quite slow then get fast. It’s no different than what Bruce Anstey does. I think Cam (Donald) is the only one of us who went out and did awesome laps from lap one.
David Johnson – TT 2019
“I always end well though, and it looked like it could possibly have been a podium today as well, while yesterday of course was amazing. On a bike that I didn’t expect it on, the Superstock bike is not known as the fastest thing out of the box but we proved to people that it is highly capable. It handles so well, I could just ride it, the way it handled was amazing, there is never any dramas with the way the stock Honda handles, that’s for sure.
Cam Donald congratulates Davo on his maiden TT podium
“On the last lap in the Superstock race, when I was in P3 at one point, then P4, then just before the mount’ I saw P4 + 0, and thought who the hell is this I’m dicing with. It turns out its Michael Dunlop. That was only over the line, the last sector I was fourth, come across the line as hard as I could in the last sector, short circuit hard and come out 0.2s in front. Happy to get onto the podium for the first time.”
David Johnson was cool as a cucumber ahead of the Superbike TT as his mechanics fuelled his bike only moments before the race start
Trev: I remarked in the Superstock race report (Link), the bike uses less fuel, the team helped make up that three-seconds in the pits to give the team great credence as well, but some people also forget that you lose more than three-seconds a lap with the horsepower deficit to the BMW and Kawasaki. So you still had to do your job with less power out on the circuit. From the sidelines earlier in the week I could see that Michael Dunlop could make 20 metres or more on you over 400 metres as soon as the bikes were upright, pulling 20 metres over a 400 metre straight – when the tracks over 60,000 metres that certainly adds up over a full lap…
David Johnson in the pits on the Superbike
David Johnson: “Yea, Sulby Straight I think we were at our worst, against whoever was fastest, 15 mph down, which is a lot, a friggen hell of a lot. Yea so I sorta had no idea who I was dicing with, I thought it was actually going to be James Hillier, but obviously he had a 30s penalty, which didn’t come into the equation, as even with that penalty off we still beat him by 6s, but it was Dunlop I was fighting with.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“The last sector is obviously where the Honda is going to be awesome, as it’s quite a tight little section, slow and tight, which is why I can push without risking too much. Just to come out by 0.2 of a second is… some people, the way they were following it, they were saying it was the battle of the TT.”
Peter Hickman leads David Johnson
Trev: It was only a race for third to be fair right from the start, Hicky and Harrison were in another league last year, and it proved the same again this year, that pair are going to be hard to beat.
David Johnson: “They’ve changed the bar for this whole situation really, Hicky was behind me starting, I was ninth on the road, and he was 10th, so when he caught me and he caught me quite early in the lap, and then starts pulling away, I was like oh my god, this is ridiculous, to push like that.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“The way they are pushing to get what they do, it’s changed a lot. That’s how hard you have to win, those two have changed the bar. Dunlop has won 19 TTs all together and in a big bike TT you have to push absolutely, like say short circuit you push 100 per cent, to win a TT these days that’s what it takes… I would if I felt comfortable on the bike, but with the short practice that we’ve had and me being new to Honda, I just didn’t quite feel that comfortable to go out of the box and push like mad right from the off.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“Whereas especially the first couple of laps, is where you make it all up and get comfortable with the bike, you push like mad in the first two laps and the rest comes to you. Whereas I’m still building up speed…”
David Johnson
Trev: Third, that’s probably fulfilling your ultimate potential that you would have looked at coming into the race. Are the team happy, does that mean you’ll be on a Fireblade next year and they’ll pay you more money? (laughs)
David Johnson: “Maybe, we’ve not spoken about that, I’m happy with them and they are happy with me. Especially in Superstock, they didn’t expect that at all. The Superbike is a fair weapon, so we expected to be somewhere near in that, and we were close, we thought we had the potential to be on the podium today in the Senior, unfortunately the bike let us down with an electronics problem.
David Johnson – Superstock TT 2019
“On the Superstock bike it was a long shot, the Superbike was the one I expected to be on the podium in, and then all of a sudden I’m on the podium in Superstock. I’ve won BSB championship races in Superstock, so I knew I was going to be good on it, but had no idea, never expected to be on the podium this year like that in the Superstock class.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: We don’t hear outside of the TT anything that you’re up to. How have you got yourself up to speed, and your head up to speed?
David Johnson: “Well the Island Classic, Phillip Island, that’s my main preparation, they ride like mad out there. To be honest, I didn’t do any British Championship races this year, which I usually do. I know if I go into Superstock race I can be at the front. But this year we didn’t do that, for whatever reason.”
David Johnson at the 2019 Island Classic – Image by Rob Mott
Trev: Might there be any opportunities for you to get any short circuit work in the latter part of the year?
David Johnson: “There is, that’s all down to me now. I’m 37-years-old now and I’ve got my fiancee and we’re from Adelaide, and I like to spend all my time in Adelaide now. I’ve been here for 18 years now, in Europe.
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: It’s a long time ago you left the Aussie domestic competition…
David Johnson: “I remember I was excited when you did a little write up on me in my first year, in 2002…”
David Johnson – Aussie GP Support Races 2002
Trev: So we’re both getting old.
David Johnson: “I guess so! I do what I need to do to keep doing it. I do a heap of track days, Levi Day race schools, my own race schools here and there as well, and the Champion Rides days, so I do a lot of riding. I do the James Whitham schools when I’m here and the Focus Events around Europe. So I do a lot of riding but that doesn’t really reflect when you’re pushing hard from the get go, like mad.”
David Johnson – Supersport TT 2019
Trev: So if you got any short circuit work in this year, would it be back in Australia or in the UK?
David Johnson: “I’ve never really had the opportunity in Australia, they never come up, I would love to do it, with Honda if they had a spare bike and it was offered, I’d jump on it. But because I’ve never had the offers, I’ve never done it. And to be competitive you need to be on a good bike and team to be in Australia, in Australia the riders are world class.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: It’s very tight, one turn of a clicker between hero and zero really it is that close.
David Johnson: “It’s no different than going to BSB, if you’re on a crap bike in BSB you won’t be competitive. In Australia it’s the same thing and I don’t want to do it half arsed. If I do it, it has to be properly. But I don’t know, I’ll suss it out. It feels like the end of the season for me now, so we’ll have a big night tonight and move forward from here.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: So just see what crops up in the latter half or 2019 and will there be any more real road racing for you? Anything lined up for the Classic TT?
David Johnson: “Yes, I’m racing with the Kawasaki team in the Classic TT, I’m not really allowed to say that around here! But yea the Kawasaki team for that. Ulster GP as well, it’s not in my contract but I know Honda will want me to do it and I love the Ulster GP, I got a podium last year with the Tyco BMW team and it’s a good place. A love-hate relationship. I broke my back there and spent a month in Belfast hospital but I want to do that again. And the Macau GP at the end of the year, so I have a few big international races to do.
David Johnson at the 2018 Macau GP
Trev: Who’s Macau with?
David Johnson: “Not sure yet, that’s to be confirmed, to be announced, actually I don’t even know yet. I’ve had about 17,000 offers so far, so it’s wait and see.”
David Johnson on the Superbike – TT 2019
Trev: It’s nice to be wanted mate.
David Johnson: “It’s better to be wanted than no one gives a shit, so we’ll wait and see.”
David Johnson on the Superstock podium – TT 2019
Trev: Celebrate a safe and successful week, we’ll see you in due course.
David Johnson: “I’ll see you at the bar later mate!”
The 2019 Isle of Man TT has seen Dean Harrison claim Kawasaki’s first Senior TT win since 1975. This is only the second ever win for Kawasaki in the premier event at the TT, and at 30-years-old Harrison is also one of the youngest riders ever to win the Senior TT. We had a front row seat for the chat with Harrison immediately after he claimed victory in Friday’s Senior TT.
Dean Harrison – Senior TT Winner – 2019
Your first big bike win at the TT.
Dean Harrison: “I’m over the moon I can’t believe it to be honest. It’s great now as I’ve won every TT on a Kawasaki, I’ve won the 650 twin race, Supersport race, the big bike race, so a win in every class, that’s ticked all the boxes.
“The race I got off to a reasonable start, Pete had a bit of the legs on me to be honest. I just tried to put as much pressure on him as I could, as the race went on he was chipping away from me, and the gap was getting bigger, it wasn’t until lap 4 or lap 5 that I noticed the gap had halved. So I thought… well the thing is when the gap halves, I’m not sure if there was a problem, as if someone breaks down there’s a big gap, and it keeps coming down and down and down.
“So I just kept it going to be honest, I was short shifting everywhere, trying to conserve fuel for my last lap. Six laps around this place, 226 miles (over 360 km) on the bike, and two hours, it’s the longest race you’ll ever do as a solo rider. It’s a testament to the bike to keep going for so long, the hammering it gets from me is unbelievable.”
Dean Harrison
When you saw the early boards you must have thought he was getting away from you, growing sector by sector.
Dean Harrison: “Yeah exactly, I was going as hard as I felt comfortable going, I thought I’d push and that would be my best, in those first few laps, and I think I did a sub 17 on lap one, a 16:50 something.
“The trouble is now you’re kind of splitting hairs around here, aren’t we it’s getting so fine. I just tried to put on as much pressure as I could. It sounds daft but if you take a step back and relax you end up making a mistake, if I keep going at the pace I’m going and pushing, you sorta get into a rhythm and sorta hit your points at the apex.
“But the bike to be fair was absolutely faultless, never missed a beat the whole race. Apart from a little tank surging issue, that we went through, that showed up a little bit to be honest, at the latter part of the second lap, the pit laps. But apart from that it was faultless. Massive thanks to the team.”
Dean Harrison
For the second pit stop the lead was about 17-seconds, half of which Peter had built up just on the climb to the mount, taking about eight-seconds out of your lap.
Dean Harrison: “That’s my Achilles heel, on the lower section I seem to have it nailed, it’s the climb up the mounts that I need to do some more research on over the winter, we’ve got to do some more short circuits scratching, the faster I get at short circuits the faster I seem to go up the mountain. So I need to come back and do a bit of that here later in the year. Hat’s off to Pete, he has won three TT’s this week and it just proves I’m competitive to get onto the podium.”
And with the top brass from Kawasaki here, we think it’s the first Senior TT for the marque since 1975…
Dean Harrison: “I think it was Mick Grant that won that… Brilliant yea, to give the Kawasaki superbike a win since 1975, Jesus Christ… 44 years ago, a few years ago, no brilliant to be fair.”
What was your thought when you suddenly saw a board which said P1?
Dean Harrison: “I knew there was something wrong when the lead had halved, obviously he’s having issues here, once I got P1 the lead just went from P1 plus 8s to P1 plus 30s and on the mountain I thought I got to short shift a bit.
“It’s hard to concentrate when that happens, when you’re in a battle with someone and it’s so close, but when something goes wrong with another competitor that you get such a big lead, it’s easy to have a lapse in concentration, so you really have to keep your mind in focus, on what you’re doing and what’s coming up, keeping the bike in the right rev range, as problems can occur around here. So I kept my head down and brought it home.”
Dean Harrison at the Superbike Start
How would you sum up your TT overall, three podiums and a win?
Dean Harrison: “It’s absolutely brilliant, every class is so competitive now, I lost my way a little bit though mid-week, with the weather the way it’s been, I sorta lost a bit of momentum, I started real strong, and then my head went a little bit almost, and then it took a little bit to get me back into it.
“Yesterday with all the races I got back into the swing of things, and it’s great to get a win, where it’s six laps, two pit stops, it’s not a shortened race. The race yesterday, I take my hat off to Gary Thompson for the races we got in yesterday, as it was such a tight schedule and yesterday went absolutely seamless. It’s great to get it done for all the spectators, as the crowd around the track is absolutely massive, it’s great to see so much enthusiasm, with people waving over the fences, and sitting on the hedges.”
Dean Harrison
Your bike worked flawlessly…
Dean Harrison: “Yea exactly, it’s a testament to the bike and the team to be fair. The bike never missed a beat the whole race. With the new bike, even we’ve got a new bik this year 2019 ZX-10RR and obviously cosmetically it looks very similar to the old bike, but engine wise it’s not, but the characteristics are quite different. And it took me quite a bit of getting used to. In the stock race, I had a few problems in the NW200 and sort of dialed that out for when we got here, and the Superbike is the same thing, it’s just a matter of time.”
You’ve won TT races before, but to win the Senior TT that must be really special?
Dean Harrison: “Everyone says it’s the biggest race of the fortnight, and me and Pete were saying last year that the Superbike and the Senior are very similar, since it’s the same bike, but for some reason the Senior is the blue ribbon race, but it’s great to get my hands on the trophy to be honest, and to go down as one of the names in history. I’m over the moon.”
How are you going to celebrate getting your hands on that grand ole lady?
Dean Harrison: “You don’t want to know!”
2019 Senior TT Results Dean Harrison Peter Hickman +53.062 Conor Cummins +58.879
Peter Hickman had a stellar 2019 IoM TT, claiming a Supersport win, Superbike win and just when it looked as though he would complete a trifecta in the Senior TT, mechanical gremlins struck the Smiths BMW and forced him to relinquish his lead to Dean Harrison. Hickman masterfully nursed the bike home to second place and MCNews.com.au was there to hear him reflect on TT 2019 immediately after the Senior race on Friday.
Peter Hickman
Peter, what could have been…
Peter Hickman: “It is what it is, can’t change it now, what is done is done. We had a really good start to the race, I think we did 134mph something on the first lap and on lap two. Slowly ticked away, bike was working really good, handling really good. Unfortunately after the second pit stop this returning issue that we keep having on the full superbike, it just keeps chucking water out, it doesn’t get hot or anything, but just starts throwing water out at anything over 11,000rpm.
“Once I left the pits and went down Grey Hill it was chucking water out, so I just had to kind of manage it, and basically use half throttle and no more than 11,000 rpm. So that’s two laps, at 50 per cent throttle, that was not very fun I can tell you.”
Peter Hickman
That had happened on some of the practice runs didn’t it? So you got all the way through the first four laps of racing, you must have thought it was out of the way…
Peter Hickman: “Honestly, no, we all had this inkling that it was possibly going to happen, we’ve had three different engines, four different radiators, numerous caps, bottles, you name it it’s been changed, three or four times.
“For some reason on the superbike it just keeps doing it. Our hands were tied unfortunately, after the Superstock race, with the chief scrutineer we pleaded with them that he could just come and seal the engine and strip it after the Senior, but pretty much told us bollocks, so big shout out to Dave for ruining my Senior.
Peter Hickman and Dean Harrison in Parc Ferme – Senior TT 2019
** Dean Harrison interjects to say ‘I like Dave’ to the sound of much laughter, while Hicky laughingly jokes about a conspiracy **
“It is what it is, rules are rules, but I think sometimes a little bit of common sense needs to come into it, but it is what it is. The team did a fantastic job and did everything they could to make the bike right for us. It managed four laps, just couldn’t quite manage six, we are still on the podium, we’ve had an absolute unbelievable TT, to come away with the hat trick for a start, win on the Supersport bike is something I’ve been trying to get for a while now, we’ve done that, and a podium in the Senior so it’s not all bad.”
And you’ll take away the fastest lap of the meeting, the opening lap in 16m51.495s, 143.28mph.
Peter Hickman: “Yea it’s fast isn’t it, especially for the lack of practice it’s quick. But honestly the new S 1000 RR is just so, so good, it’s only just come out of the box. It’s still a new bike, so to do that with no practice really at all… yeah next year is going to be good.”
You’ve been strong in every class.
Peter Hickman: “It’s my sixth year now I’m getting used to the place now, and learning there I’m going. Looking forward to coming back next year and having another crack. BSB next weekend so not too much rest, we will concentrate back on the BSB for the rest of the year now and of course the Ulster GP in August.”
Peter Hickman on the Norton Lightweight TT bike – Image by Richard Sykes
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