Privateer Champion Ian Mackman targets top 6 at 2012 Isle of Man TT
Privateer Champion Ian Mackman is targeting top six finishes at the 2012 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The Runcorn rider recorded two top 10 finishes, including his highest place of 9th in the first Supersport race, on his way to claiming the privateers’ championship in 2011.
To aid his 2012 effort, Mackman has replaced his Suzuki GSX-R1000 with the ex-Dan Kneen Kawasaki ZX-10R Superstock machine, which the Manxman took to a lap of over 127mph on his way to 7th in last year’s Superstock race.
Mackman will also be racing a Kawasaki ZX-6R for the two Monster Energy Supersport races.
He said:
“The TT is the only race of the season for me now. I carried on racing because I discovered the TT and having taken two top 10 finishes last season, I hope to better that in 2012.”
“I'd love to finish in the top six and hope that the new bike will help me to achieve this.”
Mackman added:
“The new ZX10 is making much more power than my GSXR so I hope that this has been a missing ingredient for me. I guess my main aim is to break the 125mph barrier as I've been sitting at 124.5mph for the last three TTs!”
“I believe that my biggest area to improve on is the Mountain. With, hopefully, a good start number again I'll be able to tag on and learn from the top team riders where I can improve here.”
“Oddly I always feel like the run from Ginger Hall to Ramsey is my worst, generally I spend a lot of it swearing at myself for being on the wrong line, but once back in the paddock looking at sector times I'm not that far off. I guess that's how deceptive the TT course can be.”
Mackman has built up an impressive record since making his TT debut in 2007. He has started 24 races, finishing 22 including 13 top 20 positions and a personal best lap of 124.527mph.
In addition to his TT campaign, Mackman plans to compete at the three Scarborough meetings as well as, hopefully, making his debut at the Ulster Grand Prix. He’ll also contest a full season in the GP1 class at the ThundersportGB Championship meetings.
Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Manager Paul Phillips said:
“Ian is exactly the kind of rider that we created the Privateers’ Championship for.”
“The TT is rightly recognised as the place where grass roots competitors without manufacturer support can still compete alongside the bigger teams and we wanted to recognise and acknowledge their achievements.”
“Ian has performed consistently since his debut in 2007 and will again be one to watch this year.”