By Lightweight TT 2012 – race preview
For 2012 at the TT races there will be a new class of racing the all new Lightweight TT mini-twin class which will see over 60 bikes taking part in a three lap race over the world mountain course circuit. Entered in this new class of racing for the TT this year include former TT winners, newcomers, Manx Grand Prix race winners and many international riders. But the obvious favorite for this race is Ryan Farquhar. Ryan who has a near 100 percent record in mini-twin 650 cc racing recently won the first ever mini-twin 650 race at the North West 200 from his team mates in the KMR Kawasaki team Jeremy Mcwilliams and Michael Rutter who will be Ryan’s team mate in the lightweight TT this year.
Another team mate with Ryan this year at the TT and for the full season is the young and up and coming road racing star Jamie Hamilton. Jamie who currently is second in the Irish super-twins championship behind Ryan Farquhar has already this season achieved podiums in the mini-twins class at Oliver’s Mount, Cookstown, Tandragee and just recently achieved a top six finish at the North West 200. Although the KMR Kawasaki team is going to be hard to beat in the lightweight TT this year there is many a rider out there capable of stopping them cleaning up on the podium which was seen at the North West 200.
Heading up the teams to take battle to Ryan Farquhar’s team is the Dunlop’s Michael and William. Although Michael has not had much time on his Kawasaki ER-6 prepared by his own team you cannot discount from being a threat in the race. William meanwhile will race the Track day tools/Emerald road racing magazine Kawasaki ER-6 in the three lap race at the TT this year. Also William has won on this bike at a earlier short circuit meeting in Ireland so don’t be surprised to see him win his first TT in this class. Former TT winner Adrian Archibald will also take part in the new lightweight TT race this year aboard the Mckinstry racing Kawasaki ER-6 and is another rider you cannot discount from taking race victory as well.
Taking 4th place at the recent North West 200 mini-twins race was Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki rider James Hillier. James who will race the same bike at the TT this year will start at number 1 for the lightweight TT this year and is sure to be in the running for the podium positions and potentially the race win as well. Making his debut in the mini-twin class of racing at the TT this year is Australian Cameron Donald. Cameron a twice TT winner will be riding the DP Coldplaning Kawasaki ER-6 which he most recently tested at Jurby in the Isle of Man. With his experience of winning TTs and gaining podium finishes he is another rider you cannot discount from stepping on the top step of the podium.
A number of up and coming TT riders are taking part in this new class of racing on the mountain course this year. One of them is Manxman Dan Kneen who like most of the top runners in this class this year will be riding a Kawasaki ER-6 sponsored by Track Electronics.
Another rider who is getting better and better each year at the TT is Ben Wylie. Ben who looks to be Suzuki’s top runner in the lightweight TT class this year on-board a Suzuki SV650 prepared by JHS racing and run by the AFC Wimbledon Motorsport team will be aiming for at least a podium finish. JHS racing whilst also helping out Ben Wylie & Billy Smith on the AFC Wimbledon Motorsports Suzuki SV650s will have their own backed at the TT this year lead by reigning 650 mini-twins Manx Grand Prix winner Dave Moffitt.
Some of the top international riders entering the 650 mini-twin class at the TT this year include Stefano Bonetti from Italy and Antonio Maeso from Spain one on a Kawasaki ER-6 and the other on a Suzuki SV650. Overall the new Lightweight TT race is sure to produce some exciting and thrilling racing on the world famous TT circuit with lap speeds hoped to be potentially over 120 mph its sure to be a favorite class of racing amongst competitors, teams and most of all the fans.
