Michael Dunlop will contest the 2011 Superbike and Superstock TT races aboard a Paul Bird Kawasaki ZX-10R.
The
Isle of Man TT and Road Racing series have seen a significant roster shuffle as the 2011 season approaches. Another top rider has switched manufacturers, as Michael Dunlop signs with the Paul Bird
Kawasaki World Superbike team for the 2011 Isle of Man TT.
Dunlop, who is the son of Robert and nephew of Joey Dunlop, will compete aboard the
Kawasaki ZX-10R in the Superbike and Superstock TT races. Dunlop will continue to compete aboard his usual Yamaha machinery in the Supersport TT.
"I'm grateful to Paul for giving me this opportunity - it's great to be riding for this team and have my own people on board again as well," said the 22-year-old Northern Irish racer in IOM TT press announcement. "There's no reason why I can't win big bike races on this bike and make a name for myself by following in the footsteps of my dad Robert and uncle Joey.”
Michael Dunlop, whose brother William also races the notorious road courses, has one TT win to his credit – taking the second Supersport TT in 2009. He also can claim five other TT podium finishes, including four second-place results. The 2010 TT results included two Supersport and one Superbike rostrum appearances, two of which were runner-ups to the TT-dominating Ian Hutchison (who claimed a five-TT sweep of the premier races). Dunlop owns the standing Supersport lap record at the TT at 127.836 mph.
Dunlop also owns a victory at the North West 200, taking the 250cc win in 2008 (just days after his father’s death during qualifying for that very race). Dunlop will contest this year’s North West and Ulster Grand Prix, as well as other races on the national Irish road racing calendar.
Martin Tests Relentless Suzuki
Guy Martin got up to speed on his new TAS Suzuki during preseason testing.
One of the biggest off-season move for the TT was Guy Martin landing with the TAS Suzuki team. The team supports riders Josh Brookes and Alastair Seeley in the British Superbike series, with Martin also running select rounds of the Superstock series in BSB. Martin and company recently completed a three-day test at the Catagena circuit in Spain.
The three-day test follows up on earlier testing by Martin during the offseason at Almeria. During the most recent testing sessions the Lincolnshire rider went to work setting up his new Suzuki Superbike, Superstock and Supersport. Still winless at the TT and NW200, Martin will look to crack his first victories at the historic circuits with one of the strongest teams in the International road racing scene.
"It's been steady away 'Boy'... steady away,” said Martin in Suzuki team PR. “We are making good headway and are not bothered with the stopwatch. We've had three days working very hard on the Superbike and just tonight at the end, we gave the 'stock bike a run out. I've found some good direction with both bikes and tomorrow we'll concentrate on the Superstocker. It's all looking 'Grand'."
On Martin's performance Team Manager Philip Neill said: "I'm quietly confident that Guy has already found a comfortable set up with his new bikes. He also carried out some productive tire tests with Pirelli and everyone involved with TAS Racing is looking forward to helping Guy enjoy a very successful season."
