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Switching from the Villa Marina in Douglas to the Ramsey based Mountain View Innovation Centre, the 2022 TT Races launch felt in my opinion night and day different in comparison to the last TT launch from 2019.
I state this viewpoint for many reasons, which include:
* The atmosphere felt more Brits awards, corporate hospitality themed
* Less racers were interviewed
* Felt overall more condensed
* Pit-stop challenge between FHO Racing and DAO Racing
Those in attendance looked to be thoroughly enjoying the evening, Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman did the Barry Sheene style ride bikes to the centre stage and several fellow roads greats provided candid perspectives on 2022 Mountain Course competition.
Michael Dunlop revealed his decision to part company with Paul Bird Motorsport, with prime factors for this including lack of testing miles, sponsors let down and the situation overall not been practical.
What next for the Ballymoney roads great, Hawk Racing return?, back to Superbike BMW tackle?, Ferrari! We will just have to wait and see.
John McGuinness MBE issued his intention to get back to the Superbike race podium finishing form from 2016 whilst added elite TT names chatting all things TT racing were Lee Johnston, newcomer Glenn Irwin and Sidecar legends Dave Molyneux, the Birchall brothers Ben & Tom.
So that’s the TT launch night, just over four weeks till the world’s most acclaimed, famous, historical motorcycle race returns, not long now.
Photo’s by Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
