Several Riders, Teams Announce Plans For 2015 Isle Of Man TT, Other Road Races

Several Riders, Teams Announce Plans For 2015 Isle Of Man TT, Other Road Races

© 2014, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

RC EXPRESS RACING SIGN IVAN LINTIN FOR 2015 ROAD RACE SEASON

Isle of Man TT race winners RC Express Racing has today announced the signing of Ivan Lintin on a two-year deal with the reigning TT Privateers Champion spearheading their attack at the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the other International road races for the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

The 30-year old will replace Dean Harrison in the team run by father and son Roy and Ben Constable, and having enjoyed a superb 2014, the Lincolnshire rider will get his first taste of a Superbike machine while also being well placed to challenge for podiums in the other classes.

Lintin will campaign a pair of ZX-10R Kawasaki’s in the Superbike and Superstock classes and will also have an ER6 Kawasaki at his disposal for the Lightweight events, a class where he’s previously excelled with wins at the Ulster GP, Southern 100 and Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough as well as lapping fastest in qualifying at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races.

The last two seasons, in particular, have seen Lintin come to the fore in road racing circles with some impressive performances for the Taylor Lindsey Racing and McKinstry Racing teams. As well as dominating this year’s TT Privateer’s Championship, he ran as high as fifth in the opening Monster Energy Supersport race before finishing seventh after lapping in excess of 124mph, and posted a new personal best lap of the Mountain Course with an impressive 125.627mph which he set on his Superstock machine in the Pokerstars Senior Race.

His best result to date around the 37 and -mile course came in 2013 when he narrowly missed out on a podium in the Lightweight Race with a hard fought fourth place.

In addition, Lintin won the prestigious International Gold Cup race at Scarborough in 2014, taking six wins from his seven starts at the meeting and he also took the Lightweight race at the Ulster GP for a second successive year.

The 2015 season will see him undertake a rigorous testing programme before making a concerted attack on the Isle of Man TT, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix road races. In what promises to be a busy season, he’ll also contest July’s Southern 100 meeting and all three events at Oliver’s Mount.

Ivan Lintin: “I’m delighted to be joining RC Express Racing. It’s a fabulous opportunity for me, and one I’m determined to grab with both hands. I’ve been really pleased with my results and progression over the last two years and joining forces with RC Express will enable me to progress to the next level. As soon as talks between Ben, Roy and myself started it didn’t take long for everything to fall into place and you only have to look at what they’ve achieved with Dean to see that they’ve firmly established themselves as a major force to be reckoned with.”

He continued:

“I’m really looking forward to getting on a Superbike for the first time and the next two seasons promise to be really exciting for me. The team set-up will enable me just to concentrate on my riding, something that I haven’t been able to do previously, and I’m confident I’ll be able to repay the faith Ben and Roy have shown in me. I’ll be looking to finish in the top ten at all of the International road races. I’d also like to thank everyone at Taylor Lindsey Racing for all their support over the last two seasons.”

Ben Constable, Team Co-owner:

“We’re delighted to welcome Ivan to the team and to sign him up for the next two years is brilliant news for all concerned. He was the ideal candidate to take over from Dean and we’ve seen at close quarters these last two years how good he is and how much he’s improved as a rider. He’s got a very sensible head on his shoulders, ideal for the road races, and he goes about his business in the right way. He knows when to push and when not to push, again crucial for the roads, whilst his results this year speak for themselves. He’s getting quicker and quicker and stronger and stronger with each and every outing and we’re confident of giving him the tools and platform to move to the next level. He’s been extremely strong in the Supersport class and whilst we’ve yet to finalise our plans, we’ll hopefully have him riding for us in the 600cc class too. We’re all eagerly looking forward to get cracking and can’t wait for the 2015 season to get underway.”

More, from a press release issued by IOMTT Press Office:

Jamie Hamilton joins Burrows Engineering Racing for 2015 campaign

Northern Ireland based road racing team owner John Burrows has moved quickly to replace Dan Kneen who moved to pastures new after spearheading the team’s 2014 Irish Superbike title winning efforts.

Burrows has confirmed that Ulsterman Jamie Hamilton, who has a wealth of experience despite only being 23-years-old, will be his rider for the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and other international as well as a full Irish championship campaign. He will race the team’s Superbike, Supersport and Supertwin machines.

Hamilton will bring an impressive CV with him to Burrows Engineering Racing. His initial successes came in the short circuit arena where he captured the 2009 British Superstock 600 title. Ironically, the man who finished fourth in that championship tussle was Manxman Kneen and the two men are destined to lock horns again next year on a regular basis.

Since Hamilton vacated the short circuit world for a road-racing career he has left his mark at both national and international level. In 2012 he won the prestigious Best Newcomer award at the Isle of Man TT and has been on the rostrum at both the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix meetings thanks to his Supertwins efforts. In 2013 Hamilton completed a fine Irish title double, finishing top of the Supersport 600 and Supertwins points tables.

Burrows spoke about his new arrival:

“I’m delighted to have found a rider of Jamie Hamilton’s calibre to lead Burrows Engineering Racing’s national and international road campaigns in 2015. He’s the ideal man for the job and it’s a bonus that he’s a local man too. He’s a proven race and title winner and although 2014 didn’t work out particularly well for him he showed what he is capable of on a number of occasions, especially at Bush where he scored four wins and denied my team two Superbike wins.”

He continued:

“Burrows Engineering Racing was at the forefront of road racing in 2014 and with Jamie onboard some very competitive machinery I’m confident we can again be a top privateer team and give the factory boys something to worry about in 2015. It’s great to have all the team’s 2015 plans sorted this far ahead of next year, everyone can get focused and have a happy Christmas. All our sponsors will be announced in due course, there will be some loyal and familiar names on the side of the bike as well as some exciting new ones.”

Jamie Hamilton said:

“I’m very happy that I have secured a ride with one of the most professional teams in the sport of road racing. I was very impressed with what John and his team achieved in 2014 and I hope my efforts will bring more success for the team in the coming season. The bikes will definitely be ultra competitive and I’m confident that I’m capable of taking them to top results. Roll on Cookstown.”

More, from a press release issued by IOMTT Press Office:

QUATTRO PLANT KAWASAKI CONFIRM HILLIER FOR 2015 ISLE OF MAN TT RACES CAMPAIGN

Quattro Plant Kawasaki have confirmed that they have re-signed roads ace James Hillier for the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy and the other International road races.

Kawasaki UK and KME have confirmed that they will help Quattro Plant Muc-Off Kawasaki in the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT at the 2015 TT Races and North West 200.

James retains his seat with his regular Bournemouth Kawasaki team along with the same crew and will be looking to build on his 2014 campaign, which saw him post two top ten finishes in the big bike classes; ninth in the Superbike Race and fifth in the PokerStars Senior TT.

Joint sponsor, Muc-Off, will continue their support for their roads campaign and James will be looking to continue his quest for a Superbike win having won the Lightweight TT in 2013 along with two runner-up spots in the class.

The Bournemouth-based squad will be receiving some additional support from Kawasaki’s World Superbike team race director Ichiro Yoda and the team feels that with guidance and technical help from Kawasaki’s WSBK technical expert Yoda they will be able to make the step forward to ensure success at the 2015 International road races,

Pete Extance, Quattro Plant Kawasaki team boss commented:

“It’s fantastic that Kawasaki have acknowledged our efforts and success over the years with James Hillier and are now helping us in our attempt to take wins in the Superbike and Senior races at the TT Races and North West 200. Yoda brings a wealth of experience from the WSBK squad with the ZX10 R and it will be great for our technicians to get his guidance and technical support. We hope to be able to test in Spain with Yoda early next year to start our preparations.”

More, from a press release issued by IOMTT Press Office:

GBMOTO RACING ENTERS ‘ROADS’ CAMPAIGN WITH GARY JOHNSON AND KAWASAKI

British Superbike Championship front-runners GBmoto Racing will be undertaking a Kawasaki backed campaign on the ‘road’ circuits in 2015, with Isle of Man TT winner Gary Johnson. The team is building Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R race bikes in Superbike and Superstock specification to attack the Isle of Man TT Races as well as the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix events.

Following their debut season as an officially supported Kawasaki team in the MCE British Superbike Championship in 2014, GBmoto are further strengthening their relationship with the Akashi based manufacturer by supporting their Road Racing programme. Signing the talented and ever popular Gary Johnson, the team will be building and running a new high spec ZX-10R Superbike, as well as a Superstock version for the three ‘international’ events. The team will undertake a full testing programme supported with Japanese technical personnel.

Having previously ridden for the GBmoto Racing outfit in the final two rounds of the National Superstock 1000 Championship in 2011, Gary has gone on to establish himself as one of the strongest road racers in the world. After winning the 2005 British Supersport Cup Championship, he made his debut ‘between the hedges’ in 2007 – taking his first Roads podium just two years later with a stunning ride to third in the blue riband Senior TT, before following it up with a second place in Superbike race at the Ulster Grand Prix.

Gary joined the illustrious list of TT winners in 2011, when he claimed his first win, taking the second Monster Energy Supersport race while further podiums came in the Superbike TT and Superstock race at the Ulster Grand Prix. A fuel problem prevented him from taking a second TT Supersport win in 2012, but he was able to secure two second places at the Ulster.

2013 would prove to be his most successful season to date, with podiums coming at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT, Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix. He started 2014 even stronger, with two podiums at the North West 200, a second TT victory in the Supersport class, before a crash in the RL 360 Superstock race saw him break a collarbone, shoulder, and vertebrae. Bouncing back just five months later, Gary took a remarkable fourth place in the Macau Grand Prix.

GBmoto are currently undergoing negotiations with existing and new sponsors to come on board for the 2015 Road Racing campaign, which will be a separate effort from their British Superbike team. Gary will get his first ride on the Kawasaki supported ZX-10R’s when he joins James Ellison and James Westmoreland at their pre-season tests, which begin at Cartagena on the 5th March.

Speaking from the new World Superbike circuit of Chang in Thailand after signing with GBmoto Kawasaki, Gary Johnson said,

“This is a fantastic opportunity to be working with such a great team and so closely with a major manufacturer, I’m really happy. I rode for GBmoto in 2011, they were one of the most professional teams I’ve ever worked with and they’ve obviously stepped up again since then. To see what they did this year in BSB by changing manufacturers and immediately getting podiums was incredible. Their infrastructure, bikes and kit is all mega and although this is their first time at the TT I know they will put all the right pieces in the right places, to be successful.

He continued:

“Hopefully I can bring my own experience to the team from both the events side and with a good reference point from riding a Kawasaki. I have to thank the guys who have worked so hard to help me in the last few years, it’s because of them that I’ve been put in the shop window for this opportunity. With the support of GBmoto and Kawasaki and their testing schedule I’m the most confident I’ve ever been going into the TT Races and the other events, so bring it on!”

GBmoto Racing Team Principal Mark Smith-Halvorsen added,

“This is another big step forward for GBmoto and I’m incredibly proud that Kawasaki have chosen us to be a major part of their Road Racing campaign. The North West, Isle of Man TT and Ulster GP are three huge events in the world of motorcycling and ones I have followed closely, so I’m really excited to be heading there as a team next year.

Gary was a natural option for the team. He has ridden for us before and we have enjoyed a good relationship that has grown ever since. He’s proven that he is capable of beating the best on the roads and I believe if it wasn’t for his injury this year then he would have added even further wins to his tally, so I’m confident with the level of support we will have that he can battle for victories in what is now a super competitive field.

This was not a decision we’ve taken lightly and we want to arrive at the North West in the best possible shape. We have a full testing programme planned for Gary, which kicks off in March. In order to give him the best possible chance, we will be providing him with his own crew for the roads which will act independently of our BSB team. We are now liaising with the race organisers of the North West, TT and Ulster to ensure we are logistically prepared and can put on the professional show that people expect from GBmoto.”

To learn more about the team, visit www.gbmoto.com and follow us on Facebook at www.gbmoto.com or Twitter at www.gbmoto.com or YouTube at www.gbmoto.com

More, from a press release issued by IOMTT Press Office:

Nick Crowe Racing Confirm Hegarty and Neave with Triumph package for 2015 TT Races

Nick Crowe of NCR and Nick’s long term sponsor Dave Hudspeth of Dave Hudspeth Carpets, have signed a deal for their 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy campaign. The 2 year deal includes current Eastern Airways F1 Sidecar Champions Sean Hegarty and James Neave as Driver and Passenger to the team.

The team will be running a 675 Triumph in the all-new HC Race developments chassis. Not only are they bringing another manufacturer into the growing Sidecar paddock but this will be slotted into a new brand of sidecar that is being developed by Nick himself, and built by ex. F1 guru Phil Wall who is also based on the Isle of Man. Mal Curnin of Yorkshire Engine Supplies has pledged his support to the quest, and joins the Team as one of the main sponsors.

Sean has not competed on the Isle for the last 19 years so both he and passenger James are looking to spend as much time as their 2015 race schedule allows ahead of the 2015 meeting doing ‘the laps’ of the Mountain circuit, under the expert guidance of lap record holder Nick Crowe. With the deal confirmed, the team will look to be ready for testing and shaking the bike down early in the New Year before the main event.

Commenting on the 2015 plans, Nick Crowe said:

“British Champions on a Manx chassis built with the input of the current TT lap record holder, then put a British Engine in the mix and you get,…Awesome – both for the TT and even more so for the Sidecar class.”

He continued:

“This year will be all about stretching theirs and the bikes legs, so the pressure is clearly off the pairing. The team would be over the moon with if they can secure a top ten finish in the first year. Sean will be more than happy with that as, in 1996, despite running in a strong 6th as a newcomer, he is yet to see the chequered flag as mechanical failure resulted in DNF’s in both races that year.”

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