By TT privateers championship 2013 preview – part 2
The peoples bike team have now for many years since 2009 run many top road racers in their unique road race team. For this years TT Stephen Thompson is back with the Manx based team having rode for the team back in 2010. Stephen who made his TT debut back in 2010 will be entering his fourth TT this year having already lapped at the TT at over 120 mph.
Another TT newcomer back in 2010 was Brandon Cretu. Brandon is back this year at the TT for his fourth attempt competing in the Isle of Man TT. For this year Brandon is once again on Honda machinery for the three big bike races. Fabrice Miguet and Timothee Monot lead France’s entry into this years TT and both will be looking for their best ever TT results riding Kawasaki and MV Augusta machinery respectively.
TT newcomers from 2012 John Ingram and Michael Niblett are both back at the TT this year. John will be on Honda machinery for the superbike, superstock and senior TT races, whilst an entry into the two supersport TT races is a possibility. Meanwhile Michael Niblett will for this years TT be once again on Kawasaki machinery riding a ex Astro racing Kawasaki ZX-10 superstock bike in the three big bike races, whilst for the supersport races Michael is on Triumph machinery.
Also returning to the TT this year is Gary Graves who made his TT debut last year on a Yamaha R6 racing in the two supersport TT races. For this years TT Gary is again entering the two supersport races and will be aiming for consistent race finishes. Fastest TT newcomer last year Jimmy Storrar who lapped at a impressive 122 mph is back this year at the TT although the team he will be riding for at this years TT has yet to be announced.
Leading the newcomers entry into the TT privateers championship this year is Michael Pearson. Michael who is a multiple winner at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough will be making his TT debut for the Hotties Thermal Packs road racing team on BMW and Suzuki machinery whilst in the lightweight TT class Michael is riding for the Rod Lee racing team. A rider with bags of talent on roads circuits Michael Pearson’s TT debut will be monitored closely by those involved in road race paddocks.
Also making their TT debuts this year include top 10 British supersport championship finisher AJ Venter who will be riding for the DP Coldplaning/TCR Honda team in the three big bike races. Joining AJ in making his TT debut this year is fellow British championship racer Jonathan Howarth who will be riding for the Sheff Pack LTD Kawasaki team.
This years TT privateers championship will be a championship being fought over by at least 70 riders and more. So the level of competition within it will be immense. There’s a mix of TT newcomers, riders moving up from the Manx grand prix and TT stalwarts giving the championship more impetus as well. I for one am looking forward to seeing who wins this years TT privateers championship, my prediction who will win it, to close to call I say!
