By Hawk Racing are confident of more success with Michael Dunlop, at the international road races and Southern 100 in 2017, having re signed the 13 times TT winner to ride for their new look, Bennetts Suzuki team.
After much speculation about what would be happening for 2017, it’s come as no surprise to many to see the Mountain Course lap record holder, remain loyal to a team, which has thus far provided him the tools for four big bike TT victories.
Suzuki’s highly touted new GSX-R 1000 may be a debutant to the roads, but with the determination of Michael plus his confidence in his team around him, this year could well prove the same as in 2014.
Which was when he participated on S1000RR BMW machinery, for the first time, going onto wrap up Superbike, Superstock and Senior TT victories, along the way also wrapping up feature race wins at the North West 200, Armoy, Killalane and Frohburg.
Photo by Stephen Davison
Bennetts Suzuki, Team Manager, Steve Hicken recently stated his delight at securing Michael’s signature, for the upcoming 2017 roads season.
He said:
“We’ve known Michael for a long time and always wanted to work with him again this year, so we’re really pleased we’ve been able to put a deal together.
We’ve made good progress already with the development of the new GSX-R 1000, and we know the potential is there with the bike.
With a proven winner like Michael on board, there’s no reason we can’t be winning races right away. That’s got to be the aim.”
Michael Dunlop added his thoughts, on his latest challenge, described by some as a gamble.
“I was chatting with Steve for a while, and obviously we’ve worked together a lot before. With the new bike coming it’s been a bit different and we had to gather up exactly what was happening.
We just needed to see what was going to be able to happen and to see where we were both going to be at this time.
I know Steve and I know Stuart though, as people, and I know they can take a new bike and get it right. This is a good team and there’s a good link with Yoshimura this year too.
It’s going to be interesting this year. I’ve been helping the team build my own bikes and it’ll be good to have a run around at Mallory for a shakedown before we go to Spain.”
Words by Stevie Rial
