SMT Racing has announced plans to increase its involvement in the 2013 Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
The team will be backing four-times Sidecar World Champion Tim Reeves in his TT campaign, as well as the British F1 series. Dan Stewart, the 2012 TT Privateers’ Championship winner, has been signed to the team for a solo roads campaign.
Reeves will line up with 7-times TT winner Dan Sayle at the TT, while his short circuit racing will see him reunited with brother Tristan, who partnered him to World Championship wins in 2005 and 2006.
With his Mountain course experience, which has seen him finish on the podium three times at the TT, and the backing of Robin Croft’s team, Reeves must be among the favourites for a strong showing in 2013.
The expertise and knowledge of the Lancashire businessman’s hard working team combined with the considerable technical back up, means Reeves goes into this year’s TT better prepared and supported than ever,
Croft said:
“After our efforts to secure the season-long budget required for British Superbikes proved too difficult, I immediately turned our attention to the roads. It’s something the whole team enjoys and having arranged a good deal with Dan Stewart, Tim and I have subsequently come to an arrangement for the Sidecar class too.”
“Tim was part of our team at Macau last year and I was immediately impressed with his drive and attitude so, after a few phone calls taking place, backing him for the full season seemed the right thing to do.”
He added:
“His enthusiasm for the TT matches mine and expanding our TT involvement will mean we have an even greater presence both on and off the track. We have the infrastructure all in place so it also made sense to extend the deal to cover the British F1 Sidecar Championship and the Southern 100, an event where we’ll be making our team debut.”
“We’ve got the facilities to have a real good go at both the roads and British Championship plus it’s our first time in the Sidecar class so it gives us fresh impetus and drive to succeed.”
“I’m really looking forward to our three-wheel season and I believe we have all the ingredients in place to make it a highly successful season.”
Reeves said:
“I really enjoyed working with Robin’s team at Macau and when I got the phone call asking if I’d like to be part of the squad for the entire 2013 season, I was truly honoured.”
“It’s a privilege to be driving for Robin and having a BSB team of such stature involved is not only good for the Sidecar class, but also for my long-term sponsors, particularly the Haith’s, Dave Hudspeth Carpets, H&S Contractors, DFDS and The Relocator. They’re a hugely professional outfit and having such tremendous back up and support means I’ve got all the tools to do the job in hand this season.”
“Everyone knows passengers don’t come any better than Dan Sayle when it comes to the TT. I’ve put my World Championship targets on hold for this season in a firm bid to go all out for success at the TT, Southern 100 and British Championship and with the new deal in place with Robin, I believe I can achieve just that.”
“Finally, I’d just like to say a massive thank you to Gunther and Jutta Reuschling for their valued support over the last five years and wish them all the very best for the future.”