Michael Rutter confirmed for 2011 SES TT Zero electric race
TT veteran Michael Rutter is looking forward to his first taste of electric bike racing during the 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The road racing and British Superbike Championship star has been confirmed as a member of the American team MotoCzysz.
The reigning TT Zero champions are returning to the Isle of Man in 2011 to contest the 2011 SES TT Zero clean emissions race. The team will run two bikes, one for Rutter and the other for last year’s winner, American Mark Miller.
Miller rode the MotoCzysz E1pc to victory in 2010 race by a margin of nearly two minutes, setting a record average lap speed of 96.82mph.He returns with the number 1 plate on an upgraded 2010 E1pc for the 2011 race meeting.
Rutter will pilot the all-new 2011 MotoCzysz E1pc for the Oregon-based outfit. He is an accomplished and experienced rider, with 27 BSB race wins, 12 victories at the North West 200 and nine podium finishes at the TT, including victory in the 1998 Junior.
Rutter said:
“I’ve followed the electric bike series on the Isle of Man with interest over the last two years and I’m really pleased to get the opportunity to take part this year.”
“It will be a totally new experience for me, despite the fact that I’ve been racing for over 20 years, but one I’m really looking forward to.”
MotoCzysz CEO and Founder Michael Czysz added:
“We were very close to the 100mph average lap last year and this year we are determined to achieve that milestone first lap.”
“I have truly fallen in love with the Island and can’t wait to go back. Returning with Mark Miller and the number 1 plate is an honour and to add a rider as respected as Michael Rutter and a second MotoCzysz bike is a dream.”
Isle of Man Government Economic Development Minister Allan Bell said:
“The MotoCzysz team are the true embodiment of the event’s ethos, creating a demonstrably groundbreaking machine that delivered a headline performance last year.”
“We are really pleased that they are returning and everyone is eagerly anticipating watching them as they look to build on last year’s success.”
The 2011 SES TT Zero race will take place on Wednesday June 8, and MotoCzysz will be one of a number of teams aiming to be the first to achieve the historic 100mph mark for a clean emissions bike. The Isle of Man Government has offered a £10,000 prize to the first clean emissions team to achieve the prestigious 100mph lap around the Mountain course.