2012 Isle of Man TT top priority for racer John Burrows
Wednesday 04 January 2012
TT
The 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy is the top priority for popular racer John Burrows.
The Dungannon star has confirmed he will ride the Mountain Course again this year as part of a full season on the roads.
Speaking to Belfast’s News Letter newspaper Burrows revealed he has secured a record-breaking ex-TAS racing Suzuki Superbike, will contest the TT’s new SuperTwin class and TT Zero again, plus he is in discussions over a possible Supersport ride.
He told the News Letter the TT is his main target.
Burrows said:
“The TT is always the big one for me and I can’t wait to go back there again.”
“Last year wasn’t a great year for me because the weather wasn’t great during practice week and I had a few mechanical problems in the races.”
He will also contest the North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and Irish national road race events.
The News Letter reports Burrows has recently purchased the TAS Racing Suzuki on which TT winner Bruce Anstey set the outright lap record at Dundrod on his way to winning the second Superbike race at the UGP in 2010.
Burrows explained:
“Basically the bike is the same specification as Guy Martin’s, except that it doesn’t have any of the fancy electronics. Bruce Anstey set the lap record on it at Dundrod and it’s been sitting around, so I had the chance to buy it from TAS.”
“The big bike is the main one for me and it’s the bike I enjoy riding most; I’m kind of putting all my eggs in one basket with it this year and hopefully I can get a few decent results.”
As well as aiming to win the Irish 650 SuperTwin title for the third year in a row, Burrows confirmed he is planning to race in the class when it makes it’s TT debut this year.
He told the News Letter:
“The SuperTwins will now have a race at the North West 200 and TT this year and I suppose it gives guys like myself a chance to get a decent finish and some prize money, because I doubt if the likes of John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey and the other top names will ride in those races.”
Another attempt at the SES TT Zero Challenge for electric bikes has also been confirmed.
Burrows said:
“At the TT I’ll be riding in the electric race again for Lightning Motorcycles and I’m due to go over to the USA at the end of February or beginning or March to test the bike for Richard Hatfield.”
“The bike was badly under-developed last year, but apparently it’s had a lot of work done to it since and it will be nice to have the chance to go to America for three days of testing to see how much it’s improved.”
According to the News Letter, discussions over a Supersport ride are ongoing.
Burrows is quoted as saying:
“I’ve the chance to ride a 600 for a group of guys and I think the ride is mine to turn down, but if you’re going to ride a bike for someone else you always need to think it through carefully beforehand and I’ll make a decision on it soon.”
Visit the News Letter to read the full article