Reigning TT Races Privateer Champion Ian Mackman has signalled his intentions to improve on his 2011 results by aiming for the top six at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races 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, but admits he’d love nothing more than to crack the top six in 2012.
“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 ten 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. 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 TT's!”
“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 a hugely impressive record since making his TT debut back in 2007 and having now started 24 races, he’s finished 22 of them. Thirteen of those finishes have been inside the top 20 and with a personal best lap of 124.527mph, he’s firmly established himself as not only one of the most consistent riders currently competing on the Mountain Course but also one of the best.
To aid his 2012 effort, Mackman has replaced his GSXR1000 Suzuki with the ex-Dan Kneen ZX-10R Kawasaki Superstock machine, which the Manxman took to a lap of over 127mphmph on his way to 7th in last year’s Superstock race. He’ll also be racing a Kawasaki ZX-6R for the two Monster Energy Supersport 600cc races.
In addition to his TT campaign, Ian plans to compete at the three Scarborough meetings as well as, hopefully, making his debut at the Ulster GP. He’ll also contest a full season in the GP1 class at the ThundersportGB Championship meetings.
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government commented:
“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.”
