Leading BSB team Splitlath Redmond team has confirmed that Mark Miller and Mark Buckley will contest the 2012 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy on a pair of Aprilia RSV4 machines.
Californian road race ace Miller will return to the island with the Wales-based outfit for a second year, while Scotland’s Buckley will make his Aprilia debut after several years running his own team.
This will be team’s second stab at the world’s most famous road race, and its first appearance under the Splitlath Redmond banner. Both riders will contest the Dainese Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock and the PokerStars Senior TT races. Between them they have a dozen years of TT experience under their belts, having both made their debut in 2006.
Buckley, of Loch Lomond, Scotland, this year steps away from running his own outfit to pilot one of Splitlath Redmond’s Aprilia RSV4s, and is looking to emulate his previous success on the island, his best finish to date being an eighth in the 2009 Supersport race. That same year he also crossed the line third in the TTX GP, the world’s first ever clean emissions TT race.
“It’s a bit of a change for me this year, as I’ve spent several years running my own team but for various reasons this wasn’t a viable option this year,” he said. “It’s very exciting for me to be joining a team like Splitlath Redmond.”
He continued:
“This will be my first time riding the Aprilia but I’m confident we can get some very good results on it. I’m very much looking forward to this year’s event. I’ve known Mark (Miller) since 2006 when we both made our debut and I know we can work very well together to make this a fantastic and competitive team.”
Californian road race ace Miller is also looking forward to his seventh TT, and his second on board the Aprilia.
After last year’s event he joined the Splitlath Motorsport outfit for two rounds of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship and contested the Macau GP under the newly-formed Splitlath Redmond banner in November.
Now he is looking to build on his 23rd place finish in last year’s PokerStars Senior TT race when he returns in 2012.
“It’s great to be back riding the Aprilia with the Splitlath Redmond team,” he said. “It’s always nice to return to a team you know, and after last year’s learning curve, the team know what they want and how to get it this year. Racing with someone like Mark is perfect for me. Working with a rider you know and can share data and information with is a big part of being a success at a race like the TT, so I think we’re going to have a fantastic time.”
Team Co-owner Derek Redmond added:
“The Isle of Man TT is the most incredible motorcycle event in the world, and I’m delighted that we will be a part of it in 2012. Whenever I watch footage of the event my jaw hits the floor. I’ve always been blown away at the speed and the skill of these riders going all-out on roads with bends and bumps, stone walls and loads of other obstacles.
“I can’t wait for our first TT under the Splitlath Redmond banner and I believe we have signed two great riders who can get us some great results.”
