Entries for the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy have seen four classes over-subscribed, increased interest in the SES TT Zero and Lightweight TT and the highest number of Sure Sidecar crews since 2007.
When entries closed, the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360°Superstock, Monster Energy Supersport and PokerStars Senior TT classes were significantly over-subscribed.
Interesting entries, including new participants, have also been received for the SES TT Zero, with teams looking to emulate last year's historic 100mph laps by MotoCzysz and Mugen, while the Lightweight TT has attracted a greater number, and more varied entries than the inaugural race in 2012, with more than 70 riders expected to start this year's race.
The Sure Sidecar class has also seen the highest number of crews entered since the Centenary TT meeting.
Major manufacturers are supporting the event with officially entered teams from Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Aprilia, Ducati, MV Agusta, Norton and the Chinese WK Bikes.
All the leading road racing teams have committed to the event, including Honda TT Legends, Padgetts Racing, Wilson Craig Racing, Tyco Suzuki, Milwaukee Yamaha, KMR Kawasaki, Valmoto, SMT Racing, Quattro Kawasaki, Ian Lougher Racing, CD Racing, PR Kawasaki, Penz13.Com BMW, Splitlath Redmond, Ice Valley by Motorsave, Team Rapido Sport Racing and Centurion Racing. plus a host of other established and up-and-coming teams.
The solo entry is filled with high calibre riders returning to the TT, including John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald, Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson, Michael Rutter, James Hillier, William Dunlop, Dan Kneen, Dan Stewart and Ian Lougher.
Steve Mercer, Ben Wylie, Russ Mountford and Ivan Lintin are just some of leading privateers lining up to tackle the famous 37¾-mile Mountain course again.
Leading newcomers from recent years including Simon Andrews, David Johnson, Dean Harrison, Daniel Cooper, Jamie Hamilton, Karl Harris, Lee Johnston and Jimmy Storrar will all return, while Manx Grand Prix riders Wayne Kirwan, Ryan Kneen and Jamie Coward will make their TT debuts this year, as will leading Irish road race specialist Derek Sheils.
The list of solo newcomers has a particularly international feel this year with exciting new names for 2013 set to include Josh Brookes (Australia), AJ Venter (South Africa), Horst Saiger (Austria), Branko Srdanov (Netherlands), Petre Pop (Romania), Juha Kallio (Finland), Stephen Michaels (Germany), Rafael Paschoalin (Brazil), Gavin Hunt (Isle of Man), Jonathan Howarth and Daley Mathison (England) and Michael Pearson and Sam Wilson (Northern Ireland).
Not only will China be represented by the Chinese manufactured WK machine in the Lightweight race, ridden by Australian David Johnson, but there will also be rider representation with Cheung Wai On becoming the first Chinese rider to contest the TT Races, riding for the Splitlath Redmond team.
The renaissance of the Formula Two Sidecar class in the Island can clearly be seen not only in the entry of more than 60, but also in the number of newcomers, which will be into double figures for 2013.
Legend Dave Molyneux, again with Patrick Farrance in the chair, will be looking to add to his record tally of 16 wins, with competition again expected to come from reigning World Champion Tim Reeves, partnered by Dan Sayle, and former World Champions Ben and Tom Birchall.
Race winners in 2011 John Holden and Andy Winkle, who crashed heavily on a practice lap in 2012, are back, as are Conrad Harrison and Mike Aylott.
There are 13 newcomer drivers on this year's entry list, including local man Darren Hope who tasted victory as a passenger with Nick Crowe in 2005 and 2006 who is now trying his hand as a driver.
The Lightweight class, for the 650cc SuperTwin machines, has again seen major interest with entries received from, among others, McGuinness, Rutter, Michael Dunlop, Hillier, Cummins, Donald and Johnson. With the class offering more of a level playing field, the likes of Mountford, Cooper, Lintin, Wylie and Olie Linsdell should again feature prominently, as should Chris Palmer, who makes his return to the TT after a three-year absence.
Paul Phillips, Isle of Man TT and Motorsport Development Manager, said:
“Despite the global economic downturn, the Isle of Man TT has attracted an incredible entry for 2013 in all classes. It is a testament to the TT’s enduring appeal that, while many other events are seeing their entry numbers and quality reduce, we are having to turn people away with entries oversubscribed for the majority of our races.”
“It is especially pleasing to see the commitment from all the leading teams and manufacturers, who clearly see the TT as a genuine global marketing platform for their sponsors. Meanwhile the interest from talented solo newcomers from around the world, and the mass influx of new sidecar crews, means that the TT’s sporting foundations are stronger than ever over 100 years on from the first running of this amazing event.”