American racers, Brandon Cretu and Jimmy Vanderhaar, have joined forces and will be the only two man American team to compete in the 2010 Isle of Man TT. Both riders have signed with HEL Performance and will be campaigning bikes in all classes at the TT under the HEL banner. 2010 will be Jimmy’s second year at the TT and Brandon’s first time, making him the only American newcomer at this point.
Lead rider Jimmy Vanderhaar states, “We are very excited to get the opportunity to team up with a great company like HEL Performance at this years TT. HEL will be providing full paddock support in the form of their 40 foot semi-truck as well as outfitting the entire team and bikes in HEL livery. HEL is giving us the opportunity to really have the factory team look even though we don’t have the factory team budget! Everyone at HEL is just as excited as us to be involved in this years TT especially since we have been granted space in the A paddock with all of the factory teams!”
Both active WERA racers, Brandon and Jimmy became good friends over the past year since they found a common obsession with real road racing. Jimmy competed in the 2009 Isle of Man TT for VRS Performance where he was awarded the title of “Fastest American Newcomer for 2009”. Brandon competed in the 2009 Ulster Grand Prix for Mark Hamilton/Irish Bike Magazine where he netted a top 10 finish in one of his many races that week. They agree that while they love racing with WERA in the states, there is nothing like real road racing and both admit they will be going back for years to come provided they have the opportunity!
For the 2010, TT Brandon and Jimmy will be riding bikes provided by Mark Hamilton/Irish Bike Magazine. After hearing about Brandon’s experience with the team at the Ulster GP in 2009, Jimmy was eager to get on the team and work with Mark. Jimmy will be campaigning a 2008 Yamaha R6 in both Supersport classes and a 2006 Suzuki GSXR1000 in the Superstock, Superbike, and Senior classes. Brandon will be campaigning a 2008 Suzuki GSXR600 in both Supersport classes, deciding he would wait until his second year to give the liter bikes a try!
“Mark Hamilton, editor of Irish Bike Magazine, has been nothing but great to me since we first started working togethor in early 2009. He provided me with a stellar bike to ride at the Ulster GP and we have become good friends since then. Jimmy and I are both very excited to work with Mark again this year and for years to come.” says team rider, Brandon Cretu.
This year’s Isle of Man TT could prove to be one of the most exciting in the events history. Nearly every major manufacturer has signed up to campaign a machine at the TT; Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Ducati, BMW, KTM, and one team will even campaign Moto2 bikes! Thanks to HEL Performance there will be one more “big” team with a large paddock presence along with all of the other “big” teams that have signed up this year.
While Brandon and Jimmy will have a factory team appearance at the TT they are far from having a factory team budget. They are in the process of accepting any and all donations which will be used for the sole purpose of funding their TT effort whether it be for travel, lodging, fuel, or tires. No donation is too small or too great from $5 to $500. Donations can be made through their website on the donation page, www.prestigeworldwideracing.net or directly through paypal to [email protected].
The team is also still accepting sponsorship applications for their effort at the 2010 TT. Interested companies can expect international exposure through an excellent TV coverage program and a professional paddock presence that sees at least over 80,000 spectators! Sponsorship inquiries can be made through the teams website, www.prestigeworldwideracing.net or directly to [email protected].
Brandon and Jimmy would like to thank their official sponsors that have already signed on for their 2010 Isle of Man TT effort: HEL Performance Mark Hamilton/Irish Bike Magazine MotoHeaven.com XES Leathers Arai Helmets Jason Pridmore’s STAR School Drippinwet.com – Chris Kruzel Decals Ohlins USA Zero Gravity Windscreens
Please visit the team’s website, www.prestigeworldwideracing.net for updates on their 2010 TT campaign. As the TT comes closer check daily for blog/twitter updates from both riders on their thoughts prior to leaving for the TT. Both riders will also be blogging daily while they are at the TT to give everyone back home a part of the action and give everyone an idea of what the TT is like!