Splitlath Motorsports will run EBR1190RS at 2014 Isle of Man TT
races
- EBR's first ever time competing on TT Mountain Course
- Splitlath will field American's Mark Miller and Brandon
Cretu
- EBR, dare to be different
Alkmaar, May 30, 2014 -
British road racing team, Splitlath Motorsports, has confirmed that it will be
contesting the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy, with a
unique all American line-up. They will compete aboard the all new, American
made EBR1190RS. This will mark the EBR's first ever time competing on the TT Mountain
Course! Splitlath will field American's, Mark Miller and Brandon Cretu, both
veterans of the TT course.
The decision to run the EBR 1190RS comes after a successful outing with both
Miller and Cretu at the 2013 Macau Grand Prix where they finished 11th and 20th
respectively. A vast improvement for both riders both in finishing positions
and lap times compared to recent years, which proved the bikes pedigree to
Splitlath Motorsports team owner, John Dimbylow.
Both Splitlath riders will race the V-twin, EBR1190RS in the Dainese Superbike,
Royal London 360 Superstock, and Pokerstars Senior TT races. The confidence
inspiring chassis and high corner speed of the EBR's have the team aiming for
good results and the riders shooting for personal bests. The team is also
doubly excited to be promoting a brand new bike to the fans at the TT races.
2014 marks the fourth consecutive year for Mark Miller to ride for Splitlath at
the island. Miller has become a formidable competitor since his debut in 2006
and also has the distinction of being the fastest American in the history of
the event with a lap of 125.507 mph. He is also credited with winning the
inaugural 2010 TT Zero Race.
Brandon Cretu will join alongside Miller and become teammates again after first
riding together for Splitlath at the Macau GP last year on the EBR's. After an
extremely successful debut with the team at Macau and a top 20 finish, Cretu is
looking to continue that trend into the 2014 Isle of Man TT races. Cretu's has
recorded a fastest lap of 117.8 mph last year which he is aiming to improve
upon by a large margin in 2014.
Mark Miller, Team Rider,
commented:
"At the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix last November the EBR Superbike had
extremely high entrance and corner speeds due to its single front brake rotor
scheme and an unusually low center of gravity from the mass of the petrol
actually being wrapped around the engine inside a hollow frame. The EBR steers
on a dime, it's really unique and fun to ride fast, and historically it's
superior handling that wins motorcycle races. I think the 1190RS will work very
well around the fast flowing TT circuit and its USA Made V-twin sounds like a
fooking mean-ass raspy American muscle car! So I'm super excited to get another
rare opportunity alongside my Splitlath family to ride Erik Buell's little
brainchild as fast as possible and faster, this time at the Isle of Man TT
races, in June. I aim to do well."
Brandon Cretu, Team
Rider, commented:
"It is great to be on with Splitlath Motorsports again. Running my own
program year after year while working full time had begun to take its toll on
me so having that weight off my shoulders and getting to concentrate on my
riding is huge for me, I think my result at Macau for Splitlath proved that
point. The EBR's worked so great last year so I am really excited to debut the
bike at the TT and further improve my results. My main goal as always is to
enjoy riding around the spectacular Mountain Course but to be completely honest
I am shooting for my first 120 mph laps and then some! I am ready to rip down
Bray Hill!"
John Dimbylow, Team
Owner, Splitlath Motorsport commented:
"We are all tremendously excited and proud to be running Erik's bikes at
the TT this year, this will be the first time a US manufacturer has competed
here adding to our successful debut at the Macau GP in 2013. Running any
motorbike at the TT is hard, it shows up all sorts of things on the bikes that
you just don't expect as no other race poses similar challenges, so running a
completely new bike when no one else has, is incredibly difficult, but the
people love Erik's bikes, his engineering brilliance, and his ability to
"dare to be different". We are looking forward to solid performances
from our US Riders and a foundation with which to build upon in subsequent
campaigns."
EBR Europe
Edwin Belonje: "EBR's participation in the Superbike World series supports
our sales efforts in Europe as we have hit the market now in Europe with the
roadgoing EBR 1190RX. We are increasing the number of official EBR dealers in
Europe and bikes have become available now. We are proud that Splitlath
Motorsport is defending the honour of EBR at the most famous Isle of Man TT
races, the natural environment for EBR sport bikes and we are looking forward
to some good results."
Fans can follow the team's progress at the Isle of Man TT races, fuelled by
Monster Energy, on their website, www.splitlathredmond.com
, and on Twitter,
@splitlath.
The can also follow team riders, Miller and Cretu, on Twitter @thillerusa
and @brandoncretu
respectively. Practice commences on the evening of May 26 for the team and the
first race will the Dainese Superbike race on May 31.
