A star-studded and entertaining event marked the official launch of TT 2008 on Monday evening.
Riders, teams, TT officials and race fans gathered at the Villa Marina, Douglas, to hear the latest on plans for the fortnight-long festival.
Several important announcements were made on the stage of the Royal Hall – details of which will be appearing on this website throughout this week – and many of the big names of the TT were interviewed about their hopes for 2008.
For many a highlight was the confirmation that 13-time TT winner John McGuinness would be back for another crack at the Mountain Circuit. There had been some doubt about his involvement after the HM Plant Honda team decided not to travel to the TT, but for McGuinness it was just a case of finding a new ride.
That has come courtesy of Clive Padgett, and McGuinness will be seen riding Padgett’s Honda machinery with backing from Isle of Man firm Manx Gas.
The Morecambe star is the man to beat in the Isle of Man. Not only has he claimed an amazing 13 victories, but he has also stepped onto the podium 25 times since his debut in 1996 and last year became the first person to lap the circuit at an average speed of more than 130mph – setting a new outright lap record of 130.354mph in the Senior TT.
Worringly for those hoping to beat McGuinness, the 35-year-old has strong machinery, a good team and is as fired-up as ever – if not a little more than normal.
He appeared on stage alongside team boss Clive Padgett and although he admitted disappointment that, following last year’s success, he hadn’t been retained as a works Honda rider, it seemed the disappointment might have inspired him to try even harder in 2008.
McGuinness said:
‘I’m excited. It’s what I wanted, I like that family atmosphere. I’m an old school rider and Clive’s old school.’
‘I’m feeling good, feeling as strong as ever. I don’t think there is any substitute for experience and I will approach the TT as I always do – I am going to try my best to try and win some more.’
Two-times TT winner Ryan Farquhar is hoping to put a mostly disappointing 2007 behind him with a full season back in the McAdoo stable.
However, appearing on stage alongside team boss Jason McAdoo, the 31-year-old admitted the 2008 TT field is a hugely competitive one.
He said:
‘There are probably eight or 10 riders out there capable of winning, it is really going to be down to the team and which one does the best.’
‘A lot of people thought I would not come back after getting hurt. I knew in my head I could win races again. This year we have got a lot more horsepower from the 600 and I think the ZX-10 is the bike to be on.’
His boss is in no doubt Farquhar, coupled with the McAdoo team, is among those with a chance of claiming TT glory in ‘08.
He added:
‘It is great to get him back. We know what he can do, we know he is capable of winning races.’
Irish road race champion Martin Finnegan also acknowledged the TT will boast a strong field in 2008, but the 27-year-old hopes the move to JMF/Millsport – which enjoyed success with Conor Cummins last year – will ensure he is in the mix.
He said:
‘It is all looking good.’
‘This year there is a bigger entry and stronger field, any one of 10 riders could win. I am really looking forward to it, and getting better and better every year.’
After three podiums from four starts at the Centenary TT, another rider hoping to move up to the top step in 2008 is Guy Martin, who appeared alongside his Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team boss Shaun Muir on the stage.
Muir said the team had had a ‘good think’ over the winter about where improvements were needed and added:
‘We know with a bit more preparation this year we will give Guy the best shot we can.’
In typically colourful style, 26-year-old Martin explained his frustration with not claiming a win at the Centenary TT and added:
‘I thought it was my time. To be fair, since the first one its been my time!’
‘I’m gutted really, at the end of the day I wasn’t quick enough. This year should be the right time for a bit of winning.’
Another outfit bidding for more TT glory is the Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing team. Boss Hector Neill and last year’s Superstock winner Bruce Anstey appeared at the launch party, but, unfortunately, Cameron Donald was unable to attend.
Neill was giving away little about the Suzuki potential, but revealed the team is impressed with the power it is getting. However, he said the TT is about compromise, balancing speed and reliability, rather than outright pace.
He said:
‘The TT is just a complete and utter one-off. You set up bikes for the TT and nowhere else.’
Kiwi star Anstey said after six years he is still happy with the TAS outfit, and the bikes.
He admitted he had struggled with the Suzuki superbike, but feels the machinery for ‘08 is ‘the best we have had’ and added:
‘I’ve no problems on the stock, the 600 is going well, but the last couple of years have not gone well on the superbike. I’m really looking forward to this year though, I think the superbike is the best its ever been.’
Former TAS rider Adrian Archibald is going it alone in 2008 with his AMA Racing Suzuki team, albeit with some help from his former team.
He said:
‘Obviously I’m still on Suzuki machinery and Philip (Neill) is still helping me, but basically, I wanted to do my own thing this year.’
Although some critics may feel the three-times TT winner’s best years are behind him, Archibald isn’t ready to hang up his leathers yet.
He said:
‘If you don’t think you are capable of running at the front you wouldn’t be doing it.’
A real veteran of the TT is 44-year-old Ian Lougher, who has claimed 25 podiums, seven wins and the sixth fastest lap, at 128.120mph, since his debut in 1984.
He’s back for another crack at the TT in 2008, alongside young road racing sensation Olie Linsdell. Lougher took to the stage to discuss his move from Honda to Yamaha, and his management duties in ‘08.
He said:
‘It is going to be a bit of a weird year for me I think. There is a lot of work behind the scenes that people don’t see, that side of it takes a little away from your own riding, but I’m looking forward to it.’
‘I had five years with Honda and had a couple of good years. The move to Yamaha is something I’m going to relish.’
Asked if he had considered stopping racing, Lougher said:
‘I wouldn’t be racing if I didn’t think I was capable of going out there and doing it.’
He is also looking forward to the return of the two strokes, and hopes successful racing on the Billown Circuit could eventually lead to a return to the Mountain Course for the smaller machines.
‘It would be great to see the two strokes back on the TT circuit, but who knows. If we can get enough riders and competitors perhaps that’s something for the future. We just have to see how it goes. Hopefully we’ll get some good races down there and see how it goes.’
A star of 2007 was Conor Cummins, and the Duke Road Race Rankings champion is back for another crack at the TT in 2008, this time with the NCT Vanfit Yamaha.
The 21-year-old joined team boss Neil Haslam and fellow rider, and fellow Manxman, two-times TT winner Chris Palmer on the Villa Marina stage.
Palmer said his 44 years did not get in the way of his hunger for TT success.
He added:
‘As old as I am I never lose my enthusiasm. I have never grown up, I’m just an adrenalin junkie, I just love it.’
‘We’ve got good bikes, a good team and it is looking good for the season.’
Cummins added:
‘I’ve still got a lot to learn. I’m going into my third year now and still learning, but I take it all in my big stride.’
‘I am going to take my time and enjoy myself. I am a great believer that if you enjoying your racing you go quicker.’
Another team combining youth and experience is Martin Bullock Raceteam, which will feature long-time rider Ian Pattinson alongside TT newcomer James Hillier.
Pattinson, 39, said:
‘I am over the moon with what I have managed to achieve. I have been riding for Martin Bullock for nine years, and every year we come back.’
You’ll be able to read what Hiller had to say later in the week, so keep checking the Official Website of the Isle of Man TT.
The 2008 TT has attracted interest from new teams including World Endurance Champions Phase One. While one of the team’s riders, Jimmy Moore, was unable to attend the launch, team boss Russell Benney was joined on stage by his other rider James McBride.
Benney said given the similarities between the TT and Endurance racing he was ‘amazed’ there has been more ‘cross-fertilisation’ over the years. He said the TT complements the World Endurance season, utilises many of the skills and lessons learnt in Endurance racing and concluded:
‘We are really looking forward to it.’
McBride, 35, has raced at the TT since 2003, claiming a best finish of seventh and fastest lap time of more than 124mph.
He added:
‘I think this year will see me higher up and higher speeds. I will be well sharp by the time the TT comes.’
The evening featured some exciting announcements about the TT in 2008 and for years ahead. Make sure you keep checking the news page of the Official Website of the Isle of Man TT throughout the week for more from the launch party.
Read all about the 2008 TT by downloading the Press Pack in Adobe PDF Format (1.8Mb). Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader from Adobe.com.