Latest news with #WizNortonRacing
Belfast Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop set to follow dad Robert's path at Isle of Man Classic TT
The 33-time Isle of Man TT winner has taken over the ride in place of fellow Northern Ireland man Shaun Anderson, who raced the rotary machine to victory in the Classic Superbike race at the Tandragee 100 in June. The Classic TT has been reinstated this year for the first time since 2019, with Dunlop due to line up on the Norton in the Formula One race. He is among a host of leading TT names in action at the event, including Davey Todd, John McGuinness, Dean Harrison and Conor Cummins. Dunlop's late father, Robert, famously won on the factory JPS Norton at the North West 200 in the 1990s, creating some of the most iconic moments in the storied history of the Northern Ireland road race. Robert also finished on the podium for Norton at the TT in the 1990 Formula 1 TT and 1992 Senior TT, while Scottish legend Steve Hislop famously won the '92 Senior race riding a Norton after a battle with Yamaha-mounted Carl Fogarty. The Dunlop and Norton reunion will be one of the big talking points at the Classic TT, where practice is scheduled to commence on Wednesday. Last year, Dunlop was out of luck after opting to ride a Ducati 916 at the Manx Grand Prix for the first time, with the machine plagued by problems from the beginning. The 36-year-old will be up against it on the Norton as he goes head-to-head with rivals including Todd on a Ducati 916, while last year's winner Mike Browne and former Classic Superbike race winner Rob Hodson are also riding Ducati 916 machines. With Dunlop drafted into the team, Anderson has been left without a ride and admits he is unlikely to secure an alternative machine with only days remaining before practice begins. The Banbridge man said he had been left 'gutted' and 'let down' in a post on his Facebook page. However, Wiz Norton Racing said Anderson remained part of the team and that the chance to have Dunlop on their machine was too good to turn down. A statement read: 'We have worked with Shaun for a number of years, both at the Classic TT/MGP and at the TT, where we have run him in the Supersport and Superstock classes. 'We understand Shaun's disappointment to miss out on riding the Norton again on this occasion, but we discussed it with him as a team, and he understands that running Michael was an unmissable opportunity for us. 'Shaun will still be riding our DKW W2000 in the Historic Junior class, and he firmly remains part of the WizNorton Racing team.' Trevor Nation, who also rode for the JPS Norton team alongside Robert Dunlop, will take part in a special parade lap featuring famous machines from the 1980s and 1990s. This year's Classic TT will also pay homage to Joey Dunlop, marking the 25th anniversary of his victory in the Formula One race in 2000. Dunlop won three races at his final TT before tragically losing his life in a racing incident in Estonia shortly afterwards. His nephew, Michael, will ride a replica of Joey's Formula One race-winning Honda on a tribute lap to mark the occasion.
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Michael Dunlop to pay homage to his famous father Robert by riding legendary bike at Classic TT
The 33-time Isle of Man TT winner has taken over the ride in place of fellow Northern Ireland man Shaun Anderson, who raced the rotary machine to victory in the Classic Superbike race at the Tandragee 100 in June. The Classic TT has been reinstated this year for the first time since 2019, with Dunlop due to line up on the Norton in the Formula One race. He is among a host of leading TT names in action at the event, including Davey Todd, John McGuinness, Dean Harrison and Conor Cummins. Dunlop's late father Robert famously won on the factory JPS Norton at the North West 200 in the 1990s, creating some of the most iconic moments in the storied history of the Northern Ireland road race. Robert also finished on the podium for Norton at the TT in the 1990 Formula 1 TT and 1992 Senior TT, while Scottish legend Steve Hislop famously won the '92 Senior race riding a Norton after a battle with Yamaha-mounted Carl Fogarty. The Dunlop and Norton reunion will be one of the big talking points at the Classic TT where practice is scheduled to commence on Wednesday. In 2024, Dunlop was out of luck after opting to ride a Ducati 916 at the Manx Grand Prix for the first time, with the machine plagued by problems from the beginning. The 36-year-old will be up against it on the Norton as he goes head-to-head with rivals including Todd on a Ducati 916, while 2024 winner Mike Browne and former Classic Superbike race winner Rob Hodson are also riding Ducati 916 machines. With Dunlop drafted into the team, Anderson has been left without a ride and admits he is unlikely to secure an alternative machine with only days remaining before practice begins. The Banbridge man said he had been left 'gutted' and 'let down' in a post on his Facebook page. However, Wiz Norton Racing said Anderson remained part of the team and that the chance to have Dunlop on their machine was too good to turn down. A statement read: 'We have worked with Shaun for a number of years, both at the Classic TT/MGP and at the TT, where we have run him in the Supersport and Superstock classes. 'We understand Shaun's disappointment to miss out on riding the Norton again on this occasion, but we discussed it with him as a team, and he understands that running Michael was an unmissable opportunity for us. 'Shaun will still be riding our DKW W2000 in the Historic Junior class, and he firmly remains part of the WizNorton Racing team.' Trevor Nation, who also rode for the JPS Norton team alongside Robert Dunlop, will take part in a special parade lap featuring famous machines from the 1980s and 1990s. The 2025 Classic TT will also pay homage to Joey Dunlop, marking the 25th anniversary of his victory in the Formula One race in 2000. Dunlop won three races at his final TT before tragically losing his life in a racing incident in Estonia shortly afterwards. His nephew, Michael, will ride a replica of Joey's Formula One race-winning Honda on a tribute lap to mark the occasion.
