Multiple Isle of Man TT winner switches to two wheels for 2012
Multiple Isle of Man TT winner Dan Sayle is switching from three wheels to two for the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The Manx hero is regarded as one of the best sidecar passengers around the Mountain circuit, forming race-winning teams with Dave Molyneux, Nick Crowe and Klaus Klaffenbock, but has decided the time has come to make his debut in the solo classes at the TT.
As part of a three-year deal, seven-times TT winner Sayle will race for Newry-based motorcycle dealership Crossans/Visorshop.com, racing a Yamaha R6 and Aprilia RSV4.
The Sulby man explained:
“I’ve sat down and thought about it over the winter and I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ve kind of exhausted myself on the sidecars.”
“I started out on solos and I want to take up the challenge again. I know the Mountain course like the back of my hand - I could ride it with my eyes shut - and I think that it is the best place for me to go now.”
The 30-year-old is the current Sidecar lap and race record holder, setting the fastest lap with Crowe in 2007 and the race record with Moly in 2009.
He has also won two solo 250cc Manx Grand Prix races, in 2008 and 2009, and in 2008 he won the 125cc race at the short-lived Billown TT event. He is also a regular at the Southern 100.
Sayle follows in the wheel tracks of some top road race stars with Crossan machines; Adrian Fegan, Crossans/Visorshop.com boss, has previously supported Iain Duffus, Ian Lougher, Callum Ramsey and Robert, Michael and Sam Dunlop.
He said:
“I have worked with Dan a bit over the past few years and I think that he has great potential.”
“I would prefer to see him drop the three wheels and concentrate on two wheels from now on. We have two new R6 Yamahas with all the latest spec and a factory-supported RSV4 Aprilia for him to race in the Supersport, Superstock and Senior TTs.”
“We will also be entering some Irish road races to give Dan more experience. We will start at Skerries and do Walderstown, Armoy and Killalane. Dan is keen to do the Ulster Grand Prix so we will look at that as well.”
The 2012 Isle of Man TT gets under way on Saturday with the first practice session.