Jamie Hamilton to make Isle of Man TT Races debut with KMR Kawasaki The 2012 Isle of Man TT races fuelled by Monster Energy has been given a major boost with the news that former National Superstock 600cc Champion Jamie Hamilton will make his Mountain Course debut next year. The Ballymena ace originally had aspirations to be a footballer, having been on the books of Leicester City and Bolton Wanderers, before switching to motocross and then road racing. His career high point to date was winning the highly competitive 2009 Metzeler National Superstock 600cc Championship ahead of the likes of Luke Mossey, Luke Jones and current TT star Dan Kneen. Still only 20 years of age, Hamilton continued with the Gearlink Kawasaki team in 2010 where he competed half a season in the British Supersport Championship before moving to 1000cc machines and the Irish Superbike Championship in 2011. With his road racing debut at the North West 200 curtailed due to the weather, Hamilton then joined forces with Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team where he was a revelation in the final third of the season. Hamilton finally made his road racing debut at the Ulster Grand Prix Bikeweek achieving two fourth places in the Supertwins races, following this up with second at Killalane in the Junior Support race. His outings on the roads ended with another debut, this time at Scarborough, where he again impressed greatly with 3rd and 4th in the two Phil Mellor Trophy Supertwin races. He then wrapped up his season with 1st and 2nd in the two Supertwins races at the Sunflower Trophy meeting, getting the better of former GP winner Jeremy McWilliams and team boss Farquhar in the opening encounter. On the back of such impressive results, Hamilton will contest a full season of road racing for KMR Kawasaki in 2012 and will contest the TT in all three 1000cc events, the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races. He will also participate in the inaugural Supertwins TT on an ER6 Kawasaki. Speaking about his TT debut, Hamilton said: “I’m really enjoying road racing and can’t wait to make my TT career. I couldn’t have a better mentor than Ryan and I’m going to be working really hard during the close season to make sure that I’m in the best shape to tackle the course. I’ve already been over to the Isle of Man a few times to look at the course and I’m going to spend large chunks of the winter with Milky Quayle and Johnny Barton learning the course.” Team owner Farquhar added; “I really like Jamie’s attitude to racing and right from the moment he first rode for me at the Ulster GP, he’s been a pleasure to work with. He wants to go road racing and he’s not scared of getting stuck in and getting his hands dirty. He’s more than prepared to put the hard yards in and gives nothing other than 100%. I like that attribute in someone and, with a mature head on his shoulders, I’m sure he’ll put in a really solid debut at the TT. There’ll be no pressure on him so he can just go out, learn the course and enjoy himself.” More, from another press release issued by Isle of Man TT Press Office: Farquhar continues quest for Royal London 360° Superstock TT glory Isle of Man TT races legend Ryan Farquahar has set his sights on Royal London 360° Superstock TT glory in 2012 after being forced to miss this year’s event through injury. The Dungannon racer was widely expected to achieve another podium finish in the 2011 race after finishing just one second behind history-maker Ian Hutchinson in 2010. However, a crash at Keppel Gate during the final practice session of this year’s event ended his TT prematurely. Farquhar, a race winner in 2004 and 2005 with a number of other podium finishes, was speaking at the Motorcycle Live show in Birmingham and commented: “I still have unfinished business in the Superstock class, particularly after last year’s disappointment. I’m looking forward to next year’s races and will be looking to build on my 2010 performance.” Royal London 360° has signed a new three-year commitment which will see it sponsoring the Royal London 360° Superstock TT race until 2014. The Isle of Man based offshore life company, which offers a broad range of award-winning investment, savings and tax-planning products to investors around the world, is the TT’s longest existing sponsor, having supported the event since 2002. Farquhar continued: “I am delighted to see a Manx company making such a valued contribution to the success of the TT and I am looking forward to working with Royal London 360° again over the next three years, and hopefully reaching the top step of the podium once more in 2012!” Royal London 360°’s investment in the Isle of Man TT extends beyond race sponsorship. The company is committed to promoting the event in the international jurisdictions in which it operates; every year it flies a large number of guests to the Island from places including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Switzerland and even Jamaica to experience the thrill of TT racing first hand for the first time. In addition, Finance and Commercial Director, Mike Crellin, and Technical Marketing Manager, Neil Chadwick, are experienced TT competitors. Although Mike has reluctantly hung up his leathers, Neil continues to race and will compete in the Pre-TT Classic at Billown next May. Mike Crellin commented: “Our sponsorship of the Royal London 360° Superstock TT race is a partnership which has worked both commercially and locally for us since 2002, and we are really excited to be continuing our sponsorship of the event for another three years. “It is vital for us that we continue to invest in our Manx roots yet promote the Island internationally, and our sponsorship of the Royal London 360° Superstock TT race allows us to do this. It makes such a difference to our relationships with our key stakeholders that we are able to bring them to the Isle of Man, spend time with them and enjoy the TT, and we look forward to this continuing!” The Royal London 360° Superstock TT race takes place on Monday 4 June 2012.