Supersport Cup contender Shoesmith takes up the TT challenge Thirty two year old Paul Shoesmith will make his debut at this years Isle of Man TT Races in the Supersport class. Shoesmith is one of the leading competitors in the British Supersport Cup Championship, which runs concurrently with the National Supersport series in the British Championship, and after two rounds, he currently holds onto second place in the overall standings. Shoesmith is an experienced campaigner who last year took part in the inaugural Superstock Cup Championship finishing third overall. By day Paul runs the infamous Speed Freak Track School and is also involved with best friend Jamie Whitham’s signature Track School. Former TT star Mick Grant is overseeing Paul’s racing career at present, where he rides an ex Fabien Foret R6 Belgarda Yamaha machine, and will be heavily involved in his TT effort. Speaking about making his TT debut Paul said: “I have been a regular visitor to the Isle of Man for years to watch the TT and to ride the circuit on a road bike. Racing at the event has always been at the back of my mind and with all the changes the meeting is currently going through, now seems like a good time to make my debut when the event as a whole is on the up. I have the full support of Jamie (Whitham) and Mick (Grant) will be on the Island the whole time with me, so hopefully I’ll be able to learn a lot from both of them. There’s not long to go now, and I can’t wait to get out there.” TT Team and Rider Liaison Officer Richard Quayle added: “I met Paul at the recent British Superbike meeting at Brands Batch where he finished third in his race. I was well impressed by the way he is building up to the TT, and he seems to have the perfect attitude towards learning the TT circuit. He has bags of experience, a good team, a more than professional set up, and with Mick Grant advising him, he should be able to more than hold his own on his TT debut. It is a boost for the event to have another regular from the BSB paddock competing at this years TT, and hopefully next year there will be even more.” David Cretney MHK, Minister for the Department of Tourism and Leisure and Chairman of the TT Co-ordinating Committee said: “Whilst there has been a lot of focus on the International riders in our entry recently, it may have been we were neglecting recruiting riders closer to home. But this year with Les Shand, Gus Scott and now Paul Shoesmith all confirmed in this year’s entry list, along with the stars already signed up, we have begun to make inroads into that situation. I am sure Paul will turn out to be a formidable TT rider, and it is great to see former riders of the calibre of Mick Grant still involved with the event, and giving something back to the sport. I am very pleased that Mick himself will be taking part in the TT 2005 Classic Nostalgia Weekend, commencing with the Lap of Honour on Friday 10th June.”