By Full round up of bits and pieces of road racing related news that might have gone under the radar throughout the past week.
• Newcomers A Manx GP rostrum finisher Alun Brooks could potentially be stepping up to the TT Races with Heattech Racing. If not successful with his entry for TT 2020, Brooks will take in a second Manx GP expedition.
• Others to announce their intention to compete at TT 2020 in recent times include three wheeling stalwart Greg Lambert, Raul Torras Martinez and prospective Mountain Course returnee Julien Toniutti.
• Nine times International Road Race winner Lee Johnston has linked up with Shoei Helmets for the 2020 season. Johnston also confirmed in a video published on Shoei’s Facebook page, that he will be competing again this year under the Ashcourt Racing banner.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
• Aberdare Park Road Races organisers announced on Thursday that there won’t be an additional meeting at Wales sole closed roads course in 2020. In a statement issued via Facebook event organisers stated:
“Due to circumstances beyond our control we are unable to bring the May event for the reasons below. A major program of works is due to be carried out which effects our plans, we are also undertaking changes to our grid formation.
This year we will add a provision for Classic motorcycles to run up to 750cc pre-injection (in the classic grid only), a CB 500 Bandit 600 grid plus some other changes.
We are also hoping to get the paddock powered up with some silent run generators and a few other changes in general. There are also a few changes we need to undertake to keep our underwriters onside.
This will involve a lot more risk assessing and generally help keep the event safe for all. July is set in stone for 18th-19th and we will soon announce this year’s special guests.”
• It’s just over two weeks till pure road racing action for the 2020’s officially begins in New Zealand with the Burt Murno Challenge incorporated Honda Invercargill Street Races. Leading competitors Invercargill bound include leading New Zealand roads talent Jay Lawrence.
• At a glance just some of the racers hoping to return to compete at selected Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough events this year include Dean Harrison, David Jackson, DC Racing’s Mike Norbury, Stephen Degnan, Ben Plant, Craig Robertson, Dominic Herbertson, Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie.
• New Peoples Bike Team signing Frankie Stennett is set to begin his 2020 roads campaign at Cookstown and is also hoping to compete at the Tandragee 100.
• The only British representative in this year’s World Supersport Championship is 2018 IRRC Superbike Champion Danny Webb.
• Renowned Endurance racing squad GERT56 will join the IRRC circle in September, as Rico Lowe leads the outfit’s challenge at Frohburger Dreieck.
• Dean Harrison celebrated yesterday his 31st birthday. TT 2020 marks the reigning Senior class winner’s tenth year of competing around the mythical, fabled Mountain Course.
Words by Stevie Rial
