A star-studded line up promises scintillating racing at the 2008 TT, which is now fewer than six weeks away.
All of the leading names from the Centenary TT return, and will be joined by exciting newcomers and a host of world class teams.
There are World, European, British, Irish and American champions in both the solo and sidecar classes and the strength in depth is, quite simply, superb.
There are eight former solo winners with 39 TT wins between them. A staggering 38 riders from the entry have already lapped at more than 120mph.
Heading the list once again is the current ‘King of the Mountain’ John McGuinness and, for the third year in a row, the 13-times TT winner and current outright lap record holder, will carry the number 3 plate in all five of his races.
The Padgett’s Manx Gas Honda man will certainly be the one the rest of the field have to beat.
However, the top dozen is packed with potential race winners and, arguably, the greatest challenge will come from Guy Martin, who will start at number 1 for 2008.
The Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider came couldn’t have been closer to his maiden victory last year, and many have tipped him for at least one victory this year.
Manx hero Conor Cummins will start 10 seconds behind him at number two. Cameron Donald at number six and Ian Hutchinson, who scored his maiden TT victory in 2007, at number eight are also fancied for podium finishes.
Centenary Superstock winner Bruce Anstey will again have the number five on the front of his Relentless by TAS Suzuki and when you add Martin Finnegan at four, Adrian Archibald at seven, Ian Lougher at nine and Ryan Farquhar at 11 to the equation, it’s a mouth watering prospect.
Lougher will be going for his 100th lap over 120mph as he’s currently recorded 97.
Meanwhile, two of the sensational newcomers from 2007, Steve Plater and Keith Amor, will start at numbers 10 and 12, with the Scotsman slotting in at number four for the Relentless Supersport races, having set the fifth fastest time ever in the 600cc class 12 months ago.
Farquhar also moves in to the top 10 for the middleweight class, with Finnegan and Archibald dropping down the order slightly.
Other rider of note in the Dainese Superbike and Scottish Life International Superstock events include James McBride, Gary Johnson, Rob Frost, Jimmy Moore, Carl Rennie, Ian Armstrong, Dan Stewart, Ian Pattinson, Paul Hunt, Gary Carswell, Mark Parrett, Davy Morgan, Mark Miller, Les Shand, Chris Palmer, Mark Buckley and William Dunlop.
Encouragingly, 10 of last year’s newcomers are back for more, and three will start inside the top 20 in 2008.
A number of riders also move up from the Manx Grand Prix, including Swede Mats Nilsson, double race winner Olie Linsdell, Michael Charnock and Stephen McKnight.
Also on the newcomer front, Jamie Robinson slots in to number 33 for the two Supersport races, with James Hillier at 68 and Alessio Corradi at 75, although the latter two drop down the order slightly for the 1000cc events.
It’s a similar picture for the Sure Mobile Sidecar Races, with three former winners on the grid sharing 17 TT wins between them. The races will arguably be the best three-wheeled events in the world, with two World Champions, including the current title holder, on the grid.
The 110mph barrier has already been broken by 10 drivers, and there are many others hot on their heels back for another attempt.
Like its solo counterpart, the sidecar top 10 again sees a formidable array of talent, with the top three crews of last year occupying the first three slots on the entry – Dave Molyneux at one, Nick Crowe at two and John Holden at three.
Former World Champion Klaus Klaffenböck is one spot further back, with regular podium man Steve Norbury dropping down slightly to number five. The top 10 is completed by regular stars, and 110mph+ men, Simon Neary, Nigel Connole, Andy Laidlow and Conrad Harrison.
Dougie Wright is rewarded for his sensational debut 12 months ago with the number 19 plate and German GP ace Mike Roscher also returns and will start at number 35.
Nowhere is the rider recruitment programme more evident than in the sidecar class, and the two races will see the eagerly anticipated debut of triple World Sidecar Champion Tim Reeves.
The 35-year-old clinched his first world title in 2005, going on to take the crown three years in succession and is, without doubt, the undisputed number one in the sport. His preparations have been first class and he could really spring a surprise from his starting number of 17.
Meanwhile, the re-introduced Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Lightweight and Ultra Lightweight classes have attracted full grids.
The Lightweight TT has a superb line up, with current stars Guy Martin, Ian Lougher, Ryan Farquhar and Chris Palmer leading the way. Three of the Dunlop clan – William, Michael and Samuel – will also be in action.
Barry Davidson, a winner at the 2006 MGP, is joined by a number of his countrymen including Davy Morgan, Darren Burns, John Burrows and Andrew Neill. Other names to look out for include Roy Richardson, Paul Owen, Paul Shoesmith, David O’Leary, Phil Harvey, Daniel Sayle and Tony Cawte.
It’s a similar story in the Ultra Lightweight class, where Lougher, Palmer and the Dunlops lead the way, plus there’s the notable inclusion of Robert Dunlop to spice things up.
Leading British Championship rider James Ford, who has started the short circuit season in superb fashion, makes his TT debut, as does female star Jenny Tinmouth, and Jon Vincent returns to the Island for the first time since 2004.
Northern Ireland again has a strong presence with Burns, Davidson, Neill and Nigel Moore set to star and there is further strength in depth from Sayle, Owen, Knight, Cawte, Pete Wakefield, Chris McGahan and Ellie Forrest. There are also entries from former leading MGP riders Mick Charnock and Kieran Hankin, making their 125cc debuts at Billown.
Commenting on the line up for the 2008 TT Races, Tourism and Leisure Minister Adrian Earnshaw said:
‘The racing at the TT is clearly on the up-stroke at present, and every year the entry seems to get stronger and stronger and it is encouraging to see so many of the star names returning.’
‘Fans can look forward to an amazing sporting spectacle at the TT in 2008 with more racing and more star riders taking part than ever.’