BIMOTA RACING HAS SUCCESSFUL ISLE OF MAN TT DEBUT
Bimota made their return to the prestigious Isle of Man TT over the past two weeks with their new superbike, the Bimota BB3. Coming off of a successful Northwest 200, riders Ben Wylie and Brandon Cretu were feeling confident in the team and the bikes. Despite setbacks throughout practice week the team pulled through and were consistently moving forward with the development of the bike for racing at a unique circuit like the TT Mountain Course. Wylie secured respectable top 30 finishes in both the Superbike and Superstock races. Cretu set a personal best lap time of 121.7mph in final qualifying and secured his best ever TT finish of 31st in the marquee Senior TT race.
The Bimota tent in the paddock was surely one of the most popular as well. Fans flocked to see the entire line up of Bimota motorcycles and apparel that the team brought with them.
Ben Wylie, Team Manager/Rider commented:
“I’m taking lots of positives away from this years TT. The team did such an amazing job with the new bike and I’ve never enjoyed riding a bike so much. I’m really looking forward to the Ulster Grand Prix and Macau Grand Prix now!”
Brandon Cretu, Team Rider, commented:
“To say I am happy with our 2015 TT would be an understatement! Despite my crash in the early days of practice the entire team pulled through to give me an amazing bike. I went on to set my fastest laps ever and secure my best finish ever. I can’t thank the entire Bimota team enough for all their hard work and support over the TT…already looking forward to next year! In the meantime roll on August and the Ulster GP!”
Constantine Blias, Team Principal, commented:
““We went to the TT this year as the new factory supported Bimota team and as the new UK importer, with the intention of combining the two. The combination of race pit and new road bike display was a huge success, with lots of interest in the road bikes and a successful effort from the race team. I would like to thank all the crew for doing an outstanding job and the riders, Ben and Brandon, for the work they did to turn what was pretty much a standard road bike into a TT bike. Brandon in particular improved his average lap speed by over 3 MPH, which is proof of just how good the Bimota is. Thanks must also go to Bimota and all the people at the factory for their support and all our other sponsors. For me personally to have been instrumental in combining my love of road racing with my love of Bimota was a dream come true”
The team would also like to express their condolences to the family and friends of Franck Petricola, who lost his life during practice week. They also send their well wishes to all the riders injured at the TT this year, especially Jamie Hamilton, whom they wish a full and speedy recovery.
Please visit the team website, www.bimota.uk.com, for more information on Bimota and the team or their Facebook page Amore Moto. Fans can also follow the team on Twitter @bimotaracing and both riders Ben Wylie @wyliewizzard and Brandon Cretu @brandoncretu for the most current updates.
More, from a press release issued by RC Express Racing:
Lintin takes Lightweight TT win for RC Express Racing
For the second year in succession, Bristol-based RC Express Racing took victory in the Lightweight TT race with Ivan Lintin following in the footsteps of Dean Harrison’s success twelve months ago. Lintin took his maiden TT win by 3.8s from James Hillier in a new race record time. The Bardney resident was also inside the old lap record at 120.845mph.
With perfect conditions all round the Mountain Course, Ivan slotted into second place at the first timing point at Glen Helen but with an opening lap speed of 119.078mph, he took over at the head of the field with Ryan Farquhar two seconds behind and James Hillier a further half second back.
All three riders pitted for fuel at the end of the lap, with others going straight through, and it temporarily shuffled the order but by the end of the lap, Ivan was leading by 3.9s from Hillier with Farquhar now out. The front two went head to head over the final lap and although fellow Kawasaki rider Hillier claimed the lap record at 120.848mph, Ivan’s lap time was only 0.031s slower and he got the verdict for not only his first TT victory but also his first TT podium.
Ivan was then out later in the day in the Senior race where he was back on the ZX-10R Kawasaki but the race was red flagged on the second lap due to an incident when he was lying in 20th place after a lap of 125.624mph. However, the team opted out of the 4-lap re-start.
Ivan Lintin: “I honestly don’t know what to say, I’m speechless for a change! The race went well and I got P1 early on but the gap started to come down a bit so I just thought about what Danny (Horne) said – make the dream happen. That’s all I was thinking of so when James started to push, I dug that bit deeper and almost 121mph is tramping on a bit on a Twin. When I did the Manx about six years ago, I did 116mph on a 600 and wondered how I’d ever go quicker so it’s staggering given it’s a shopping bike! I’m just made up – I’m a TT winner!”
Ben Constable, Team Co-Owner: “I’m over the moon and our secret intention was to try and retain our Lightweight title – and we’ve done it! We can’t fault Ivan’s performance at all and it was quite simply a mega race from him whilst Adam Nowell put a great bike together. Ivan’s had a great week all round and we’ve all worked really well as a team so a big thanks to Danny, Jon and Jordan for all their hard work. It’s been a great week and the response we’ve had has been superb too so we’re all delighted.”
The team will now head to the Barry Sheene Festival at Scarborough, with the meeting taking place on June 20-21.
More, from a press release issued by Metzeler:
METZELER conquer the 2015 Isle of Man TT: four wins and eleven visits to the podium
Satisfaction for the tire brand thanks to a hat-trick of Ian Hutchinson winning both Supersport and Superstock plus the success of Ivan Lintin in the Bennetts Lightweight TT, as well as the podiums obtained by Guy Martin, James Hillier and Gary Johnson
Douglas (Isle of Man), 12 June 2015 – The undisputed star of the 2015 Isle of Man TT was undoubtedly Ian Hutchinson, who this year, for his great revival to the top of the road racing world, chose to run, and win, with METZELER RACETEC™ RR tires.
‘Hutchy’ known famously for his five wins at the 2010 Tourist Trophy, when he established the record for the highest number of victories in a single TT year. Then, in the same season, a bad crash at Silverstone during the British Supersport Championship seemed to have forever marked the destiny of the talented British rider. Five years later, having undergone 30 surgeries to his injured left leg, Ian Hutchinson came back stronger than ever and at the 2015 edition brought METZELER three times to the top step of the podium winning both Monster Energy Supersport TT races as well as the RL360° Superstock TT.
A great result achieved thanks to his courage and determination but also with the contribution given by the tires he used, the METZELER RACETEC™ RR, the same also used by all the METZELER riders participating in Supersport and Superstock races, as well as Ivan Lintin who gained a fourth success for METZELER, winning the Bennetts Lightweight TT today.
RACETEC™ RR was developed directly from the experience of METZELER in Road Racing competition, in which the brand of the elephant logo has been participating with good results for several years. These races do not take place on track, but on roads that are open to the public throughout the year, where you can find all the situations that riders encounter in everyday riding. For this reason these events were chosen by METZELER as a test and development ground.
RACETEC™ RR is dedicated to racers of all levels plus trackday riders who use the circuit for their hobby, plus owners of supersport and naked bikes who enjoy a sporty riding style wanting ultimate grip even on the road, looking for excitement and a high performance level. That’s why in 2015, thanks to its excellent performance, has been chosen by the most authorative European magazines as the tire of choice for the supersport comparative tests and elected by the British magazine MCN as the ‘best hypersport tire on the market’.
This follows in the successful tiretracks of the more road focused METZELER SPORTEC™ M7 RR which was also developed during the brand’s road racing campaign in 2013, going on to win road tests and plaudits around the world ever since.
At this year’s races METZELER brings home a rich booty consisting of four wins and eleven podiums. Already in the RST Superbike TT race last Saturday, METZELER started well thanks to the performance ofIan Hutchinson (Kawasaki / Paul Bird Motorsport) who arrived second and James Hillier (Kawasaki / Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki) who got the last step of the podium.
The victories for the tire brand then followed in no time: on Monday, June 8th, Ian Hutchinson won the Monster Energy Supersport TT 1 on the Yamaha of the Traction Control Team and then the RL360° Superstock TT on the Kawasaki of Paul Bird Motorsport – both shod with METZELER RACETEC™ RRtires. In Supersport the METZELER podium was completed by the third place of Gary Johnson.
Wednesday, June 10th, saw the Monster Energy Supersport TT 2 consecrate Ian Hutchinson as the most successful rider of the 2015 Tourist Trophy. The Yorkshire rider went on to win his third race, joined on the podium in third position was Guy Martin on the Triumph of the Smiths Racing team.
The final day opened with a double for METZELER as Ivan Lintin with the Kawasaki of the RC Express Racing team gained its first overall victory in the Tourist Trophy by winning the Bennetts Lightweight TT, followed on the podium in second position by another METZELER rider, James Hillier (Kawasaki / Quattro Plant Kawasaki Muc-Off).
To close the day and the 2015 edition of the Tourist Trophy was as always the PokerStars Senior TT Superbike race. Due to an incident involving some riders, the competition was interrupted by a red flag in the second lap before being rescheduled with four laps instead of the six originally planned. At the restart the performance of METZELER riders were excellent: James Hillier was second on the finish line, Ian Hutchinson was third despite a power draining engine problem and in fourth position under the checkered flag is Guy Martin.
These are the results of the 2015 Isle of Man TT solo races (in bold are the METZELER riders):
RST Superbike TT (Saturday, June 6th)
1. Bruce Anstey (Honda / Valvoline Racing by Padgetts)
2. Ian Hutchinson (Kawasaki / Paul Bird Motorsport)
3. James Hillier (Kawasaki / Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki)
Monster Energy Supersport TT 1 (Monday, June 8th)
1. Ian Hutchinson (Yamaha / Team Traction Control)
2. Bruce Anstey (Honda / Valvoline Racing by Padgetts)
3. Gary Johnson (Yamaha/ Mar-Train)
RL360° Superstock TT (Monday, June 8th)
1. Ian Hutchinson (Kawasaki / Paul Bird Motorsport)
2. Michael Dunlop (BMW / MD Racing)
3. Lee Johnston (BMW / East Coast Construction / Burdens)
Monster Energy Supersport TT 2 (Wednesday, June 10th)
1. Ian Hutchinson (Yamaha / Team Traction Control)
2. Bruce Anstey (Honda / Valvoline Racing by Padgetts)
3. Guy Martin (Triumph / Smiths Racing)
Bennetts Lightweight TT (Friday, June 12th)
1.Ivan Lintin (Kawasaki / RC Express Racing)
2. James Hillier (Kawasaki / Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki)
3. Michael Rutter (Paton / Paton/Team ILR)
PokerStars Senior TT (Friday, June 12th)
1. John McGuinness (Honda / Honda Racing)
2. James Hillier (Kawasaki / Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki)
3. Ian Hutchinson (Kawasaki / Paul Bird Motorsport)
Having successfully campaigned the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT, the commitment of METZELER activities in road racing does not end but continue for the upcoming events in the calendar. Guy Martin, William Dunlop, Dean Harrison and Ivan Lintin participate in the Southern 100 scheduled 6-9 of July. Also in Northern Ireland from 3 to 8 August will take place the METZELER Ulster Grand Prix, a competition in which the tire brand is the title sponsor for the third consecutive year and which will be attended by Guy Martin, William Dunlop, Ian Hutchinson, Gary Johnson, Dean Harrison and Ivan Lintin. Finally the Far Eastern event of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix, which will start on November 19.
More, from a press release issued by Dan Cooper’s publicist:
Cooper clinches TT Privateer’s Championship
Stroud’s Dan Cooper ended his 2015 Isle of Man TT Races campaign on a high on Friday as he not only took his best ever finish around the Mountain Course but also clinched the TT Privateer’s Championship. The 27-year old took sixth place in the Lightweight race and then wrapped up the Privateer’s title in the Senior to crown an excellent week of racing on the island.
Riding the same Kawasaki that he rode twelve months ago, Dan was looking to challenge for a podium finish in Friday morning’s Lightweight race and an opening lap of 117.116mph placed him in seventh place as he pitted for fuel. He briefly dropped back to eighth place and although a rostrum was out of reach, his final lap of 118.085mph, his best in the class, enabled him to finish in a career best sixth place.
The 6-lap Senior race soon followed but it was red flagged on the second lap after an incident involving Jamie Hamilton and re-started over the shorter distance of four laps. With the accident happening just in front of Dan, he was understandably de-tuned a little for the re-start but he ran in the top twenty throughout and, aided by a new personal best lap around the 37.73-mile course of 126.966mph, he was rewarded with 17th place. With 15th in Wednesday’s Supersport race as well, it meant that not only had he finished all six of his races inside the top 20, he’d also won the coveted TT Privateer’s Championship by the comfortable margin of 27 points.
Dan Cooper: “I’m delighted to have won the TT Privateer’s Championship and it makes all the hard work and effort we’ve put in worth it. It’s the first time I’ve come to the TT with my own team and it’s been a great week – to finish all six races is no mean feat and to finish all of them inside the top twenty even more so. I’ve improved my lap speeds in all of the classes and throughly enjoyed myself again.”
“I was a little disappointed with my sixth place in the Lightweight race as I felt I had a good chance of a podium but everyone upped their pace this year and although I did over 118mph, the front boys were doing almost 121mph! The Senior started ok but seeing Jamie’s crash really put me off and in the re-start I just wanted to get to the finish. I pretty much cruised round so I was very happy to finish 17th and set another personal best. All the team have worked really hard and it’s great to finish with the Championship as it shows we’re the ‘best of the rest’ after all the factory-supported teams. Roll on TT2016!”
More, from a press release issued by East Coast Racing:
JOHNSTON AND ECR ACHIEVE TT GOALS WITH PODIUM & 130MPH LAP FOR THE ULSTERMAN
The East Coast Racing team, with the support of Burdens, is delighted with the achievements of Lee Johnston at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races. To take his debut podium in the RL360 TT Superstock race aboard the team’s BMW S1000RR, boosted by a phenomenal new personal best lap at 130.851mph.
A top ten in the RST Superbike TT race on the opening day, again BMW mounted, and two top six results in the Supersport races [4th & 6th] on the ECR/Burdens’ 675 Triumph, gave the Ulsterman sixth place overall in the Joey Dunlop TT Championship Trophy.
The only real disappointment for Lee, was having to retire at the end of lap two in the Pokerstars Senior TT, but going home with five TT Silver Replicas and a second podium in the TT Zero Challenge, albeit on the American Victory machine, is testament to the effort put in by the whole East Coast Racing squad.
Lee Johnston:
“To come to the TT as a privateer outfit and get two podiums and two top six results in the Supersport races, I really have to give full credit to the team. Okay we weren’t quite there on the Superbike, but to do 130.851mph on a Superstock bike is pretty good. It proves that little people can ride a big bike.”
Jamie Ferguson – Team Coordinator:
We had a successful Isle of Man TT all round. The targets we set ourselves as a team, we achieved, and on more than one occasion during TT2015, Lee did exactly as we expected he would and exceed these targets. Realistically the only place you can test for the TT is the TT, and we have gathered valuable set up information for three bikes, which are all new to us.
This has given us a good starting point for next year. We are grateful from all the help and support from our sponsors as well as all of the race organisers, medics and marshals.”
More, from a press release issued by Dan Kneen Press Office:
Kneen joins 130mph Club in Senior TT
Dan Kneen ensured the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races ended on a high note when he finished in 13th place and recorded his first ever 130mph lap of the Mountain Course in Friday’s Senior race. It meant the Manxman had a 100% finishing record on the Valvoline Racing by Padgetts Honda’s with three top ten finishes taken.
With the original race being halted after one and a half laps due to an incident, the Senior was re-started over the shorter distance of four laps and a strong opening lap of 128.997mph placed the Braddan rider in 13th place. Having overhauled Ryan Farquhar on the road, a slightly quicker lap second time around of 129.165mph allowed him to move up to 12th place.
With another good pit stop by the team, Dan was able to maintain his position but the gaps between the riders were all close with no less than 11 having broken the 130mph barrier on that second lap. The 27-year old was pushed back a place by the end of lap three and he completed the four laps in 13th place but the fourth lap saw him lap at exactly 130mph to join the exclusive list of riders that have achieved such a feat.
In his first year with the team, the result ensured Dan finished all five of his races inside the top 13 with seventh in the opening Superbike race being his best result. He also recorded his best ever lap in each of the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes.
Dan Kneen: “Obviously I’d like to have finished higher than 13th but I’m delighted to finally have lapped at 130mph. It’s amazing that we’re lapping at those speeds but not finishing in the top ten but it’s been an incredible pace this year. It took me a while to get going in the race and particularly to shake off Ryan. I caught him half way round the first lap but I couldn’t shake him off and it broke my rhythm a bit.”
“I managed to get going a bit more in the second half of the race and although I felt I could have finished higher than 13th, it was another finish and I got into the 130s at last. It’s been a solid TT but I think I was just missing a little bit of track time as the Hondas are all new to me and it’s been a case of building and building each time I’ve gone out. The bikes have been faultless and whilst I’d have liked a little bit more from myself in terms of race results, I’ve finished every race so I’ve got to be happy. I’ve also done my best ever lap in every class so a big thanks to the whole team for being 100% behind me the whole time.”
Dan’s next meeting will hopefully be the Southern 100 road races, which take place from July 6-9.