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HONDA RACING ON COURSE FOR TT WINS |
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Friday, 26 May 2006 |
HONDA RACING ON
COURSE FOR TT WINS WITH MCGUINNESS, MOLYNEUX AND HALLAM
Honda Racing makes its way to the famous Isle of Man TT Festival this week for
the opening week’s practice sessions with solo rider John McGuinness and sidecar
riders Dave Molyneux and Craig Hallam.
McGuinness, the current lap
record holder around the Isle of Man course with an average speed of 127.68mph,
will be competing in the Senior, Superbike, Production and Junior TT classes
aboard his Dunlop-shod HM Plant Superbike, Superstock and 600 race bikes
respectively. Dave Molyneux and passenger Craig Hallam will contest the two
sidecar TT races on their HM Plant Honda CBR600RR
sidecar.
Morecambe-based McGuinness, who recently competed in the North
West 200 road races where he claimed two third place finishes in the Superbike
category, is raring to go and confident of a successful TT fortnight. McGuinness
currently contests the National Superstock Championship in British Superbikes
and at present lies in a strong third place. But, the TT races have contributed
to the 33-year-old racer carving out a formidable reputation as one the best
road racers with three Superbike wins from his last four races and a total of
eight TT victories to his name.
Isle of Man-based Dave Molyneux is
considered to be the greatest sidecar riders ever to ride at the Island. This
year the current lap record holder, at 116.04mph, along with his passenger Craig
Hallam, will be looking for nothing less than victories to add to his already
impressive tally of 11 wins around the famous Mountain
course.
McGuinness: “The TT is always one of the highlights of
the year for me. Obviously, with riding for Honda this year the pressure will
certainly be there but, hopefully, I will be able to bring home a win or two. I
raced for Honda in 2002, I was second in the F1 race and third in the Senior so
it would be good to get the win for them. I think we have a good chance. After
the North West I know that the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade is really quick and,
while it’s always good to have the lap record, it’s the wins that are more
important to me; at the end of the day records are set to be broken but
victories are forever. So, I’m just going to go out there, enjoy myself and
hopefully come home a winner.”
Dave Molyneux: “It's great to be
back at the TT again, I thoroughly enjoy it and the pleasure always seems to
outweigh the pain. Being re-united with passenger Craig Hallam has given me a
lot of confidence so far this season. The TT's the ultimate challenge and one
that I look forward to, and work hard towards, every year. I’m really pleased
to be competing for Honda Racing and HM Plant and I'm obviously looking forward
to hopefully doing the double once more.”
Craig Hallam: “Winning
the TT means everything and to do the double in front of everyone would be
magical and to have a win for Honda, who have such history on the Island, would
be also brilliant.”
Neil Tuxworth: “Honda Racing is delighted to
have John, Dave and Craig competing for them this year on their HM Plant
supported machines. Honda has a long and impressive association with the TT and
it is a very important part of our racing heritage. Each year, Honda plays a
major part in the Festival and we are confident that, with them, we will be able
to continue to add to our race victories and enrich our already significant race
history on the Island.”
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