The Official Programme is your essential guide to the 2012 Isle of Man TT
The 2012 Official Isle of Man TT Programme is out soon, and you can reserve yours now at the official online TT shop.
John McGuinness, the 17-times TT winner, is the cover star of this year’s must-have guide to the festival, produced by Isle of Man-based publisher Mannin Media.
Local photographer David Collister took the stunning cover image earlier this year on the Mountain section of the course.
Leading motorcycle journalist Stuart Barker is again the programme editor and has got under the skin of the event with a series of fascinating articles and features. This year’s programme includes an in-depth interview with double 2011 race winner McGuinness, who reminisces about his first year competing at the TT in 1996. There are also features on TT ‘enigma’ Bruce Anstey and his Padgetts Honda teammate Gary Johnson, who relives his debut TT win in 2011 and reveals how tough it is to get that first win.
Plus, Northern Ireland’s Ryan Farquhar holds a masterclass on building a race-winning bike for the new Lightweight TT.
The programme also features a revealing ‘Dunlop on Dunlop’ interview that covers what brothers Michael and William really think of each other, while Sidecar World Championship brothers Ben and Tom Birchall talk about why they believe their blood bond can help them win their first TT.
Away from the front of the grid Paul Owen, the winner of the 2010 PokerStars Spirit of the TT award, talks about what it’s like to compete with the factory teams on a shoestring budget and TT newcomer Karl Harris explains why he’s coming to the Island to prove he still has what it takes to be a contender.
There’s also a revealing profile of Ian Mackman, with the popular Runcorn man sharing his thoughts on his epic struggle back to fitness that culminated in him winning the 2011 TT Privateers Championship.
Fans can also study the form guide with expert analysis from TT winner Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle, who runs the rule over the solo contenders, while triple Sidecar winner Klaus Klaffenbock picks out the teams to watch in the chairs.
In a more light-hearted feature, some of the leading riders compare their fitness and training programmes and, as you would expect, this varies from the latest state-of-the-art methods and nutrition to a more ‘old school’ approach!
This year’s programme package also includes the Official Race Guide, which features 14-time Sidecar TT winner Dave Molyneux and passenger Patrick Farrance on the cover. The Race Guide is the only place to get the full official entry list and also comes with a comprehensive listing of all of the best entertainment in the Isle of Man during the TT. There’s also a separate, fully updated, Spectator Guide highlighting the best vantage points to catch the action in 2012, including the five new TT Fan Zones.
The 2012 Official TT Programme is released on May 14 and can be ordered now from the official online TT shop.