Michael Rutter and Cameron Donald have joined forces to form a formidable looking line-up for Ripley Land Racing at the 2016 Classic TT presented by Bennetts, with Rutter hoping to make it two wins in a row in the Okells Junior Classic TT Race.
The Bridgnorth rider will again campaign the 350cc Drixton Honda that he took to victory last year, when he also set the fastest lap of the race at 102.356mph, and he’ll be joined in the four lap race by Donald who took second in the inaugural Okells 350cc Race in 2013. Donald was also the first and only rider to lap the mountain course on a standard frame AJS 7R and was the first GP1 bike over the line. The Australian makes his first return to the event since then and will again be on board the team’s 350cc AJS 7R.
In addition, Rutter will also ride Ian Garbutt’s MkII 500cc Seeley G50 Matchless in the Bennetts Senior Race, having ridden the machine for last two years. Rutter broke the 500cc single cylinder record in his first year on the bike in 2014 with a stunning lap of 109.102 mph and was leading the race and on course for a fairytale victory until a minor problem on the third lap caused him to retire on the Mountain Mile.
Problems on the opening lap last year saw him lap at just 60.975mph but he gamely carried on and lapped in excess of 106mph before retiring on the final lap.
Both Rutter and Donald will be amongst the favourites for victory in their respective races, further highlighting the credibility and importance of the Classic TT whilst Ripley Land Racing’s intentions are clear to see.
Team owners Ian and Janet Garbutt are staunch supporters of the Classic TT, having been likewise at the Classic Manx Grand Prix before that, and with two of the two finest Mountain Course riders on their books, they’ve a superb chance of adding to their already impressive track record, which includes two victories with the recently retired Chris Palmer.
Speaking about his team’s chances at the Classic TT, Team Owner Ian Garbutt commented:
“We are really looking forward to the Classic TT with two riders on board who are able to get the very best out of a classic racing machine. The quality of both the machines and riders across the Classic TT continues to rise but we believe that we have what it takes to contest for places on the podium in both the Senior and Junior Races.”
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.
