More than 70 riders will battle it out for the first ever TT Privateers Championship during the 2010 Isle of Man TT, it has been announced.
The championship will allow solo teams and solo riders of independent status to achieve recognition for their efforts at the highest level in the world’s premier closed public roads motorcycle race.
Entry criteria has been clearly defined by the race organisers, requiring all teams to declare they have no direct manufacturer assistance. Each entry is judged on the ability and career to date of the rider, the bike they are riding and the operation, resources and structure of the team.
Any rider who has finished within the top 10 in any solo race at the previous year’s TT is automatically ineligible.
Points will be awarded to the first 15 eligible finishers in the Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock, Monster Energy Supersport and the Dainese Senior TT using a world championship points scoring system.
Among the riders competing for the award are TT stalwarts Gary Carswell, James Mcbride and Ian Armstrong, former Manx Grand Prix winner Derek Brien, winner of the 2009 clean emissions race Rob Barber, the up and coming Olie Linsdell and star newcomers from 2009 Steve Mercer and Luis Carreira.
See the full list of eligible riders
Other riders expected to make the running include Australian Dave Johnson and South African Hudson Kennaugh, both newcomers in 2010, together with Jenny Tinmouth and Maria Costello, the two fastest women around the course.
In addition to the championship title, the winner will take home £2,000. There is also a £1,000 prize for second place and £500 for the third-place finisher.
Geoff Corkish, Political Member for Isle of Man Tourism, said:
“The efforts and sacrifices made by individuals to compete in the TT Races are well known. We wanted to recognise those achievements with an award that was open only to privately funded teams and riders.”