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Often regarded as the most important race for the manufacturers, your always guaranteed racing of the highest order when it comes to Superstock Mountain Course competition.
It’s looking like the battle for class honours will be between BMW, Honda and Kawasaki with possibly a few Yamaha’s, Suzuki’s in the mix for standout results, as the five manufacturing giants take on each other around the unparalleled Mountain Course.
One of the firm pre-race favourites has to be a rider who’s progress at the TT Races, since his event debut in 2014, has been nothing short of seismic, lap record holder, reigning Superstock TT champion Peter Hickman.
Tipped by many to bank in June at minimum two victories or better, there’s not much if anything missing from his racing acumen.
Possessing an ice cool temperament, strong race fitness, talent, pace, determination and perhaps most of all the ability to get quicker as a race goes on, the opposition knows they will have to be at their best to dethrone the FHO Racing BMW rider.
Others capable of dominating this years’ Royal London 360 Superstock race include 19 times TT winner Michael Dunlop.
Again, competing under his own teams MD Racing banner with strong backing from Carl Cox Motorsport, the Ballymoney racer has an excellent Superstock TT record which includes three wins from 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Electing to race Honda’s latest generation Fireblade, he showed at the North West 200 by topping opening qualifying, leading the second stock 1000 encounter that the hunger, determination remains in bucket loads.
Another stock TT triumph next month? Don’t rule it out.
Honda’s ultra-rapid CBR 1000RR-R Fireblade SP model is also set to be raced National Superstock 1000 front runner Davey Todd.
One of the most in form riders heading to Mona’s Isle, Todd’s star rose ten-fold during the North West 200 and many predict he will claim a rostrum finish in the four lap Superstock race.
You’d be foolish to discount as well his Milenco by Padgetts team-mate Conor Cummins and 23 times winner John McGuinness MBE, who’s set to make soon his 100th TT race start.
Names not showcased yet who will also have podium finishing ambitions include DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison, Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston, Ian Hutchinson (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) and Rich Energy OMG Racing’s James Hillier.
Adding extra depth to the star studied stock 1000 field include nine times Macau GP winner Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing), Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan), Phil Crowe, Dominic Herbertson, Brian McCormack (FHO Racing/Roadhouse Macau).
High-profile newcomer Glenn Irwin, Derek Sheils, Craig Neve, Hawk Racing’s Shaun Anderson, Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Sweeney, Senior Manx GP winner Nathan Harrison, PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan, Michael Evans.
Adam McLean (McAdoo Kawasaki), Joe Thompson (Wilson Craig Racing), Josh Daley, Team Classic Suzuki’s Tom Weeden, Jim Hind and the Peoples Bike Team trio of Stephen Parsons, Rhys Hardisty and Jonathan Perry.
Overseas favourites competing include Spain’s Raul Torras Martinez, Xavier Denis, Brandon Cretu, WH Racing’s Julian Trummer, Lukas Maurer, Penz 13 supported David Datzer, Stefano Bonetti, newcomer Ilja Caljouw and TT returnee, previous Dakar Rally participant Julien Toniutti.
With the Superstock TT lap record, presently standing at in excess of 134 mph, providing the weather is correct and everything falls into place, could 135 mph laps by stock steeds be on the horizon this June?
A whole host of determined, ambitious, driven International road racing giants, are capable of this unique feat in what is set to be a gripping four lap Royal London 360 Superstock TT.
Photo’s by Mark Corlett, Rod Neill, Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
Again, competing under his own teams MD Racing banner with strong backing from Carl Cox Motorsport, the Ballymoney racer has an excellent Superstock TT record which includes three wins from 2011, 2013 and 2014.
Electing to race Honda’s latest generation Fireblade, he showed at the North West 200 by topping opening qualifying, leading the second stock 1000 encounter that the hunger, determination remains in bucket loads.
Another stock TT triumph next month? Don’t rule it out.
Honda’s ultra-rapid CBR 1000RR-R Fireblade SP model is also set to be raced National Superstock 1000 front runner Davey Todd.
One of the most in form riders heading to Mona’s Isle, Todd’s star rose ten-fold during the North West 200 and many predict he will claim a rostrum finish in the four lap Superstock race.
You’d be foolish to discount as well his Milenco by Padgetts team-mate Conor Cummins and 23 times winner John McGuinness MBE, who’s set to make soon his 100th TT race start.
Names not showcased yet who will also have podium finishing ambitions include DAO Racing’s Dean Harrison, Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston, Ian Hutchinson (Milwaukee BMW Motorrad) and Rich Energy OMG Racing’s James Hillier.
Adding extra depth to the star studied stock 1000 field include nine times Macau GP winner Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing), Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan), Phil Crowe, Dominic Herbertson, Brian McCormack (FHO Racing/Roadhouse Macau).
High-profile newcomer Glenn Irwin, Derek Sheils, Craig Neve, Hawk Racing’s Shaun Anderson, Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Michael Sweeney, Senior Manx GP winner Nathan Harrison, PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan, Michael Evans.
Adam McLean (McAdoo Kawasaki), Joe Thompson (Wilson Craig Racing), Josh Daley, Team Classic Suzuki’s Tom Weeden, Jim Hind and the Peoples Bike Team trio of Stephen Parsons, Rhys Hardisty and Jonathan Perry.
Overseas favourites competing include Spain’s Raul Torras Martinez, Xavier Denis, Brandon Cretu, WH Racing’s Julian Trummer, Lukas Maurer, Penz 13 supported David Datzer, Stefano Bonetti, newcomer Ilja Caljouw and TT returnee, previous Dakar Rally participant Julien Toniutti.
With the Superstock TT lap record, presently standing at in excess of 134 mph, providing the weather is correct and everything falls into place, could 135 mph laps by stock steeds be on the horizon this June?
A whole host of determined, ambitious, driven International road racing giants, are capable of this unique feat in what is set to be a gripping four lap Royal London 360 Superstock TT.
Photo’s by Mark Corlett, Rod Neill, Tommy Vennard
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou 
