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TT 2024 previews time, yep, it’s gone that fast since last year’s lap records filled event. Sixty-three riders feature within the big-bike races, the RST Superbike, Milwaukee Senior race contests.
13 nations are represented whilst the bulk of the field, has previously on one or more occasion registered 120-mph laps. Seeded riders wise, no less than 90 TT wins have been accrued by those carrying start numbers 1-20.
Before recent incidents at Oulton Park, Donington Park BSB meetings, many had FHO Racing BMW’s Peter Hickman, the prime favourite for more 1000cc TT honours. Nursing presently hand injuries, there’s a big question mark in relation to how optimal his race fitness will be.
That been said, as shown at the Northwest 200, he was still ultra quick, competitive, and given his Mountain Course pedigree, pinpoint race craft, he shouldn’t be discounted from adding to his TT wins CV, presently at thirteen.
Another in the same boat carrying a niggly issue going into TT 2024 is prospective all-time wins record holder Michael Dunlop.
Sustaining a wrist injury post an incident at Cookstown, you could tell ‘Maverick’ was in some discomfort at times during the Northwest 200.
Same as with Hickman though, the competition factor kicked in allied to raw talent, raw speed. Third times two, fourth in the SBK race encounters, the Ballymoney ace illustrated the potential of the MasterMac/Hawk Racing, DAO sponsored Honda.
RST Superbike race retention, more proving the impossible is possible? Never, ever write off the 25 times TT winner.
In contrast to Hickman and Dunlop, Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison, Milwaukee BMW’s Davey Todd are both at optimum race fitness. 2022 Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Todd, heads onto IOM shores in stellar form after National Superstock 1000 race wins, a Northwest 200 wins hat-trick.
Prominent road racing insiders experienced, growing in knowledge firmly believe he can join the TT winners circle next month.
For triple TT victor Harrison, he will be hoping to find that missing link, that extra component needed to finally secure the Superbike TT title. There’s no doubting the potential of Honda’s latest generation Fireblade, which fared prominently during the NW200.
Manxman Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts) like Harrison is searching for that missing piece in pursuit of SBK, Senior TT glory. If you keep knocking at the door long enough, it will open eventually, and this could be the case for the ‘Ramsey Rocket’.
Back on the NW200 rostrum for the first time in twelve years, John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing UK) proved earlier this month, that the magic is still there.
Whilst the heady days of Superbike race wins may be behind him, you don’t overnight forget what is needed to claim top TT finishes and I’m sure countless fans, fellow racers, road racing aficionados would be delighted if he turns back the clock and stands again on a big bike TT podium.
Others in the mix for top five finishes or better include WTF Racing’s James Hillier, 2015 & 2020 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW), triple successive TT Privateers Champion Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan).
Added acclaimed names competing include 16 times winner Ian Hutchinson (Milenco by Padgetts), Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing), Gary Johnson (Bill Smith Motors Honda), Cookstown grand final winner Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki), David Johnson (Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki).
Remaining seeded riders are Craig Neve (Bathams Racing), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing), Phil Crowe, Michael Browne (In Competition Aprilia).
Further depth to the entry is provided by Jackson Racing’s Paul Jordan and Julian Trummer, Jim Hind (North Lincolnshire Components), Sam West, David Datzer (CD Racing).
Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau by FHO), Michael Evans, Imatranajo ‘King Pin’ Erno Kostamo (RVS by Penz 13), Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing UK).
Jonathan Perry, Stefano Bonetti, South Africa’s top international road racer AJ Venter, Rhys Hardisty, Never Be Clever Racing team-mate Darryl Tweed, 2023 Senior Manx GP runner-up Marcus Simpson.
Forest Dunn, last year’s fastest newcomer Ryan Cringle, TT returnee Michael Sweeney, Joey Thompson, Eddy Ferre, Amalric Blanc, Dafabet Racing’s Matt Stevenson.
Newcomers sampling the six-lap Superbike, Senior races are IRRC front-runner Patrick Hoff, Lekka Racing’s Michael White, and Daracore Racing’s Kevin Keyes.
All three have the core talent, aptitude, temperament to give top accounts of themselves as they take their first steps into TT affiliated action.
We all have our crystal balls, saying this will happen, that could happen, they will win, they won’t win but the TT is unique, there is so many variables, you’d be brave to predict with exact certainty race results.
Intriguing 1000cc TT races ahead, could tyre decisions play a part, overheating engines, shrewd decisions during pit-stops, we will all know very soon.
Photos by Mark Corlett, Derek Wilson, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
That been said, as shown at the Northwest 200, he was still ultra quick, competitive, and given his Mountain Course pedigree, pinpoint race craft, he shouldn’t be discounted from adding to his TT wins CV, presently at thirteen.
Another in the same boat carrying a niggly issue going into TT 2024 is prospective all-time wins record holder Michael Dunlop.
Sustaining a wrist injury post an incident at Cookstown, you could tell ‘Maverick’ was in some discomfort at times during the Northwest 200.
Same as with Hickman though, the competition factor kicked in allied to raw talent, raw speed. Third times two, fourth in the SBK race encounters, the Ballymoney ace illustrated the potential of the MasterMac/Hawk Racing, DAO sponsored Honda.
RST Superbike race retention, more proving the impossible is possible? Never, ever write off the 25 times TT winner.
In contrast to Hickman and Dunlop, Honda Racing UK’s Dean Harrison, Milwaukee BMW’s Davey Todd are both at optimum race fitness. 2022 Duke Road Race Rankings Champion Todd, heads onto IOM shores in stellar form after National Superstock 1000 race wins, a Northwest 200 wins hat-trick.
Prominent road racing insiders experienced, growing in knowledge firmly believe he can join the TT winners circle next month.
For triple TT victor Harrison, he will be hoping to find that missing link, that extra component needed to finally secure the Superbike TT title. There’s no doubting the potential of Honda’s latest generation Fireblade, which fared prominently during the NW200.
Manxman Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts) like Harrison is searching for that missing piece in pursuit of SBK, Senior TT glory. If you keep knocking at the door long enough, it will open eventually, and this could be the case for the ‘Ramsey Rocket’.
Back on the NW200 rostrum for the first time in twelve years, John McGuinness MBE (Honda Racing UK) proved earlier this month, that the magic is still there.
Whilst the heady days of Superbike race wins may be behind him, you don’t overnight forget what is needed to claim top TT finishes and I’m sure countless fans, fellow racers, road racing aficionados would be delighted if he turns back the clock and stands again on a big bike TT podium.
Others in the mix for top five finishes or better include WTF Racing’s James Hillier, 2015 & 2020 British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW), triple successive TT Privateers Champion Jamie Coward (KTS Racing Powered by Steadplan).
Added acclaimed names competing include 16 times winner Ian Hutchinson (Milenco by Padgetts), Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing), Gary Johnson (Bill Smith Motors Honda), Cookstown grand final winner Dominic Herbertson (BE/RK Racing), Shaun Anderson (Team Classic Suzuki), David Johnson (Platinum Club Racing Kawasaki).
Remaining seeded riders are Craig Neve (Bathams Racing), Rob Hodson (SMT Racing), Phil Crowe, Michael Browne (In Competition Aprilia).
Further depth to the entry is provided by Jackson Racing’s Paul Jordan and Julian Trummer, Jim Hind (North Lincolnshire Components), Sam West, David Datzer (CD Racing).
Brian McCormack (Roadhouse Macau by FHO), Michael Evans, Imatranajo ‘King Pin’ Erno Kostamo (RVS by Penz 13), Nathan Harrison (Honda Racing UK).
Jonathan Perry, Stefano Bonetti, South Africa’s top international road racer AJ Venter, Rhys Hardisty, Never Be Clever Racing team-mate Darryl Tweed, 2023 Senior Manx GP runner-up Marcus Simpson.
Forest Dunn, last year’s fastest newcomer Ryan Cringle, TT returnee Michael Sweeney, Joey Thompson, Eddy Ferre, Amalric Blanc, Dafabet Racing’s Matt Stevenson.
Newcomers sampling the six-lap Superbike, Senior races are IRRC front-runner Patrick Hoff, Lekka Racing’s Michael White, and Daracore Racing’s Kevin Keyes.
All three have the core talent, aptitude, temperament to give top accounts of themselves as they take their first steps into TT affiliated action.
We all have our crystal balls, saying this will happen, that could happen, they will win, they won’t win but the TT is unique, there is so many variables, you’d be brave to predict with exact certainty race results.
Intriguing 1000cc TT races ahead, could tyre decisions play a part, overheating engines, shrewd decisions during pit-stops, we will all know very soon.
Photos by Mark Corlett, Derek Wilson, Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
