Japanese manufacturer Yamaha has confirmed that it will be running a factory supported race team at the 2011 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.
Shaun Muir Racing, with support from Yamaha, has signed history making Ian Hutchinson, who became the first man to win five TT races in a single week, beating the record of Phil McCallen who recorded four victories in 1996. He first competed at the TT in 2004 and has won eight races in total including last years clean sweep of five victories.
Hutchinson, who suffered a career threatening injury in the British Supersport Championship at Silverstone following his momentous five wins at the 2010 TT Races, this week confirmed that he is beginning his recuperation programme and is determined to take up his position on the 2011 TT grid.
Speaking at the signing of his two-year deal he said:
“I’ve been cycling on a turbo-trainer since mid-December. Initially I struggled to do five minutes, now I can do 40 and get my heart-rate up to 192, with an average of 184. That was all I could do before the accident.”
Shaun Muir will run and manage the Yamaha team that will benefit from a full works spec R1 Superbike as well as the Superstock and R6 Supersport bike that has performed so well in the British Supersport Championship.
The team are planning to compete in all of the International Road Races – the North West 200, the Ulster Grand Prix, Macau and the Isle of Man TT and will also look to participate in the British Supersport Championship as well.
Simon Belton, Marketing Manager for Yamaha Motor UK Ltd commented:
“The TT Races has been a huge part of Yamaha’s development as a company over the last fifty years and we are delighted to have Ian on board to spearhead our challenge in 2011 as he has proved himself to be one of the leading TT riders.”
The Hon Allan Bell, MHK, Minister, Department of Economic Development, commented: “We are delighted that Yamaha has increased their commitment to the TT Races and it is a sign of the event’s growing strength that we now have factory supported teams from all four leading Japanese manufacturers as well as many other leading European brands.”
