By Eleven years since he last dabbled with endurance racing, when competing for Honda TT Legends, 25 times TT winner Michael Dunlop is hoping to excel on his return this month to Endurance World Championship action.
The Supersport, Super Twins TT lap record holder is set to compete at the iconic 24 Heures Motos (Le Mans) event (18th-21st April), racing a Superstock Honda mount for TRT 27 AZ Moto.
‘Maverick’ will be sharing riding duties with Ben Luxton, Tom Ward, and Tom Oliver.
Speaking about how the opportunity popped up to compete at Le Mans, the first rider to officially lap the fabled, mythical Mountain Course below 17 minutes, stated:
“Both Toms had worked with a friend of mine in British Superbike and they sort of needed someone who knew the bike a little bit and asked me if I’d care to join them. I said, yeah, no problem.
It’s obviously different to the bike I rode last year but I’d like to be able to give them a hand because they’re fast lads. If we can give them some help with the base it would be great to see them doing well.
But I don’t see a reason why I can’t be fast here. If we get the base good, I should be fast as well. I came here with the Honda 11 years ago and I was fast then, I was the fastest of the group.
It’s a different ball game [to the Isle of Man TT] and that’s just the way it is but there are obviously four of us here this year. Ben has joined the team, and he looks fast so hopefully we can put on a good show.”
He continued:
“Something like this would be great and it would be a good window for me, especially for what I do. Somebody like me should excel at this because it’s plug along, keep going, a bit like the Isle of Man TT, you’ve got to keep going, keep pushing, keep going, keep pushing.
A lot of people do 25 minutes and that’s the race over. In the TT I’m doing an hour and 45 minutes, maybe coming in and having two races in the day. Hopefully in this I can keep battling on and maintaining the laps.
I suppose that’s what I’m here for and to keep upright as well. I do think I should have some pace if I can get the feeling and be as good as the rest of the lads.”
Whilst nothing is officially planned in terms of additional EWC outings, ‘MD’ isn’t fully discounting this notion.
“It was a bit of a squeeze to get this one, the team has obviously switched from manufacturers and there’s been a big push to get this thing going.
I’d love to (carry on) and obviously a massive goal would be to go and do Suzuka but it’s never that easy, but time will tell probably.
I’d love to do it if it’s possible just because Suzuka is the be all and end all isn’t it really.
Don’t get me wrong, Le Mans will be full to the rafters come race day but there’s just something about Suzuka, especially with the Japanese manufacturers it seems to be the pinnacle of the sport.”
Quotes courtesy of EWC Press Office.
Photo courtesy of EWC Press Office.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
