Strong line up for 2011 TT Privateers Championship
The TT Privateers Championship is set to be a fierce battle for honours at the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.
More than 60 solo class racers are eligible for the prestigious title.
The TT Privateers Championship, introduced in 2010, allows 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.
Last year’s Championship went down to the wire and was eventually won by James McBride ahead of American Jimmy Moore and Northern Ireland’s Davy Morgan.
Riders competing for the award at this year’s TT include TT stalwarts John Burrows, Gary Carswell, Mark Parrett, Mark Buckley, up-and-coming star Ian Mackman, former Manx Grand Prix winners Derek Brien and Simon Fulton and leading newcomers from 12 months ago Stephen Thompson, Brian McCormack and Dan Cooper.
Other riders expected to make the running include Simon Andrews and Jimmy Storrar, both newcomers in 2011. There’s also a strong challenge from overseas with Italian ace Stefano Bonetti and Spaniard Antonio Maeso both expected to figure.
To enter the championship all teams have to declare they have no direct manufacturer assistance. Each entry is judged on the ability and career of the rider, the bike they are riding and the operation, resources and structure of the team.
Any rider who has finished inside the top 10 in any solo race at the previous year’s TT is automatically ineligible. Using the world championship points scoring system, points will be awarded to the first 15 finishers in the Pokerstars Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock, Monster Energy Supersport 1 and 2 and the Dainese Senior TT races.
The prestigious award also comes with £2,000 for the first placed rider with £1,000 for the runner up and £500 for third place.
TT Rider Liaison officer Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle said:
“Privateers make a huge contribution to the TT and it is really important that their efforts are recognised.”
“The TT Privateer Championship is expected to again be hotly contested by a large number of riders from the UK, Ireland and overseas in 2011 and many of these will be lapping in the 120-125mph bracket.”
“This is a great way of recognising and rewarding their commitment and achievements.”
The 2011 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy gets under way on May 30 with the first practice session.