Team Classic Suzuki will field one of the strongest line-ups at the 2016 Classic TT presented by Bennets with Michael Dunlop, Lee Johnston and Nick Jefferies riding for Steve Wheatman’s impressive team.
As in 2015, the trio will line up in the 4-lap Motorsport Merchandise Superbike Classic TT, scheduled for Monday 29th August, on near identical GSXR 1100cc-engined XR69 Suzukis and will start among the favourites.
Dunlop took the inaugural Formula 1 Classic TT in spectacular style in 2013 leading the race from start to finish despite suffering from an oil leak. Lapping at a scorching 123.196mph, the Ballymoney rider won the race by almost a minute from then team-mate Conor Cummins, following his victories in the Manx Grand Prix Post Classic Superbike races in 2010 and 2012.
He was out of luck in 2014 but bounced back in style last year when he again won the race, this time after a fierce battle with Bruce Anstey. There was little to choose between the pair but a final lap of 125.050mph saw the Ballymoney rider, who set a new outright lap record of 133.962mph at this year’s TT, claim his second Classic TT victory.
Lee Johnston rode for the team for the first time in 2014 and finished fifth in the Formula One race while last year saw him take seventh with a fastest lap of 123.636mph. Nick Jefferies joined the team in 2015 where he took a solid 17th place, the winner of the 1993 Formula One TT race lapping in excess of 114mph.
On confirming his team line up for the Classic TT, team owner Steve Wheatman commented:
“The Classic TT has grown every year since its introduction in 2013 and we have been happy to support it each year. We’ve experienced both success and disappointment in that time, but as reigning champions in the Superbike class, we are fully committed to defending that position and off the back of an incredible TT, Michael Dunlop is definitely the man for the job.”
“Lee Johnston is back to full fitness after a crash earlier in the year will challenge for a podium place and in Nick Jefferies we have a real legend of the TT in our line up who adds a lot of experience to the team.”
Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available for Friday’s final qualifying session priced at £5. All prior qualifying sessions are free for the main Grandstand. There are also race day tickets available for both Classic TT race days on Saturday 27th and Monday 29th August as well as VIP and Platinum hospitality tickets. To purchase tickets go to iomtt.com or phone Duke Marketing on (00 44) 1624 640011.
