A TOTAL of over 60 riders will compete at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races for the second staging of the TT Privateers Championship.
The championship was introduced to the TT Races honours board in 2010. It allows solo teams and solo riders of independent status to achieve recognition for their efforts.
Last year’s championship went down to the wire and was eventually won by James McBride ahead of American Jimmy Moore and Northern Ireland’s Davy Morgan.
Riders competing for the award at TT2011 include TT stalwarts John Burrows, Gary Carswell, Mark Parrett, and Mark Buckley, up and coming star Ian Mackman, former MGP winners Derek Brien and Simon Fulton and leading newcomers from 12 months ago Stephen Thompson, Brian McCormack and Dan Cooper.
Other riders expected to make the running include Simon Andrews and Jimmy Storrar, both newcomers in 2011. There’s also a strong challenge from overseas with Italian ace Stefano Bonetti and Spaniard Antonio Maeso both expected to figure.
The championship’s entry criteria has been clearly defined and all teams have to declare that they have no direct manufacturer assistance. Each entry is judged on the ability and career to date of the rider, the bike that they are riding and the operation, resources and structure of the team.
Any rider who has finished inside the top ten in any solo race at the previous year’s TT is automatically ineligible. Using the world championship points scoring system, points will be awarded to the first 15 finishes in the Pokerstars Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock, Monster Energy Supersport1 & 2 and the Dainese Senior TT Races.
The prestigious award also comes with a £2,000 prize for the first placed rider with £1,000 for the runner up and £500 for third place.
“Privateers make a huge contribution to the TT and it is really important that their efforts are recognised,” said Milky Quayle, TT Rider Liaison officer.
“The TT Privateer Championship is expected to again be hotly contested by a large number of riders from the UK, Ireland and overseas in 2011 and many of these will be lapping in the 120-125mph bracket. This is a great way of recognising and rewarding their commitment and achievements."
