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Honda is looking forward to this year’s 100 th Anniversary
TT races with one of the strongest line-ups ever in both solo and
sidecar classes.
In 1954, the company’s founder
Soichiro Honda vowed to take part in the Isle of Man TT races and five
years later on May 5 th 1959 a party of four riders and five engineers
set foot on Manx soil to begin Honda’s love-affair with the Tourist
Trophy races. The first year saw a sixth, seventh, eighth and tenth
place claiming the Manufacturers’ title, but just two years later Honda
won its first race in the hands of legendary rider Mike Hailwood. Its
riders had dominated practice for the 1961 Ultra Lightweight TT and
Hailwood led a sweep of five Hondas in the top six placings, which he
followed-up with a win in the Lightweight TT later the same day.
Since
then Honda has carried on winning at the TT – its current tally of
victories stands at 130 – and Honda Racing currently holds the outright
lap record of 129.451mph which John McGuinness set last year on-board
his HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade. With changes to the course,
many think that a 130mph lap will be possible, given the right
conditions. Whatever happens to the lap record, the 100 th TT
celebrations is sure to make this Isle of Man TT fortnight the best
ever.
Honda Racing Manager and former TT competitor himself,
Neil Tuxworth says: “The Isle of Man TT means so very much to Honda and
it’s been the cornerstone of its racing efforts for the last 48 years.
With 130 wins, we’re equal with Yamaha, so we obviously want to take
victory in as many races as we can and move ahead of our road-racing
rival. Besides the racing, the centenary TT fortnight promises to be an
amazing spectacle with a real birthday atmosphere. We’re all looking
forward to it.”
Honda’s rider line-up comprises:
John McGuinness
The
35-year-old from Morecambe is the man to beat around the 37.73 mile
mountain course and this year, he competes in the Superbike, Senior and
Superstock class for HM Plant Honda Racing and Padgetts Honda in the
Supersport class. The outright lap record holder and 11-times TT winner
relishes the event every year. He commented: “I’m out there to enjoy
myself at this year’s 100 th TT event. I’m so looking forward to it –
it’s the highlight of my racing year. I’m going to enjoy it and do my
best and hopefully come away with the results that both Honda and I are
hoping for.”
Ian Hutchinson
With a 125mph+ lap already
under his belt this could be a very big year for the Yorkshireman. He
will take part in the Superbike, Supersport, Senior and Superstock
races for HM Plant Honda Racing. The 27-year-old only began his racing
career at 21, but has ridden swiftly to the top of his profession. He
says: “It’s great to be part of Honda’s official team – especially
alongside John. He’s been helping me out a bit for a little while now
so I’d say he’s one of the biggest influences in my road-racing career
so far. I just hope I can do the business for Honda and myself.”
Dave Molyneux and Rick Long
Dave
is a TT legend. Not only is he an 11-time TT winner, he’s also the
sidecar lap record holder at 116.044mph, he makes his own sidecar
chassis and he’s a local from the Island, putting his local knowledge
to good use around the 37.73 miles mountain circuit. This year, Moly is
partnered by Rick Long, who has already experienced a TT win from the
chair, in their HM Plant Honda CBR600RR sidecar. Moly says: “This
year’s TT is going to be so special. I love every part of the circuit,
but the real challenge lies in putting all the bits together to make
that one, fast lap.”
