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Cameron Donald on the Norton SG3 at the Isle of Man TT

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With the start of the qualifying rounds for the 2014 Isle of Man TT just two months away, Norton Motorcycles has confirmed that Cameron Donald will be riding for the British company in is this year’s TT. As such, Donald will be straddling a Norton SG3 for the Dainese Superbike and Pokerstars Senior TT events, starting in 19th position.

Both manufacturer and rider are looking to make a comeback as Norton has not seen a TT victory since 1992 and Donald saw his last victory in 2008. That is not to say that the Australian does not have an impressive track record with 10 career podium finishes, including second place in last year’s Superbike race, just behind Michael Dunlop.

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Racing

Milwaukee Yamaha Strikes Deal with Isle of Man TT – Ian Hutchinson & Josh Brookes Confirmed to Race

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After an announcement in early January that Milwaukee Power Tools had withdrawn its support of Shaun Muir’s Yamaha team, due to a major rule changes that restricted the use of aftermarket ECUs, it looked as though Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes might have had to sit out this year’s Isle of Man TT; and had the team been forced to run factory ECUs, it would have placed them at a serious disadvantage and left them unable to be competitive.

Although there is no word on exactly how the team managed to negotiate an exception to the new rule change, the Isle of Man TT Press Office has confirmed that Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes will be riding for the Milwaukee Yamaha Team in this year’s TT. Both riders are scheduled to compete in the Dainese Superbike TT, two Monster Energy Supersport TT races, and the Pokerstars Senior TT event.

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Racing

Michael Dunlop and BMW Talk About Racing in 2014

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Michael Dunlop’s shock announcement that he will be racing with a factory-backed BMW for the 2014 Isle of Man TT is still percolating through the road racing paddock.

It was only in November of 2013 that the Irishman announced that he was likely to sit out the 2014 season, after failing to come to an agreement with the factory Honda squad, the Honda TT Legends.

Winning four solo-races in the 2013 Isle of Man TT, Dunlop solidified himself as being the man to watch in 2014, and perhaps the racer with the best chance of challenging John McGuinness on race day.

With Honda keen to see McPint break Joey Dunlop’s record of 26 TT race wins (McGuinness has 20 thus far), the backstory for Dunlop seems fairly obvious to guess.

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Racing

Are You Ready for the Isle of Man TT?

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We have a little over three months before the 2014 Isle of Man TT, but as you may have noticed on Asphalt & Rubber, the news is just heating up about this iconic road race.

Any TT is worth remembering, as each race is a very special event for those who witness them. That being said though, 2014 is shaping up to be an important year as the TT goes through a series of transitions.

With only six more TT race wins until he ties Joey Dunlop’s record, John McGuinness is the man to beat on race day, and Mr. McPint is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

McGuinness does have some staunch competition though, namely Michael Dunlop. The nephew to Joey, Michael won four races in the 2013 gathering, and for 2014 Isle of Man TT, the duo are already being pitted against each other.

Hondas rule the roost at the Isle of Man, but BMW’s racing platform with the S1000RR has steadily improved. With Dunlop being backed by BMW Motorrad this year, he will have some stout machinery at his disposal as he takes on McGuinness and Honda.

It should be a cracking race. To further whet your appetite, the IOMTT has put out a goosebump generating video, for your road racing pleasure. Enjoy.

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Racing

Confirmed: Michael Dunlop Signs with BMW for IOMTT

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Officially official now, and despite his previous denial of the news, Michael Dunlop will be riding in the 2014 Isle of Man TT, and on a factory-backed BMW, no less.

A seven-time TT race winner, Dunlop’s star rose considerably higher in last year’s Isle of Man TT, and his absence from the 2014 gathering seemed unconscionable.

Thankfully TT fans will get to watch the nephew of Joey race again around the Mountain Course, as well as at other road racing events this year after all.

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Rumors

Michael Dunlop Rumored to be Racing for BMW at IOMTT

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After an announcement in late 2013 that Michael Dunlop would be forced to sit out the 2014 road racing season, rumors are flying that he has pitched a tent in the BMW paddock.

Although no official statement has been made yet, MCN and Bennetts are both reporting the seven-time TT winner will be signing a deal to ride an BMW S1000RR for BMW Motorrad in the Superbike TT classes, along with a BMW HP4 that he will be riding for his own team, Michael Dunlop Racing, in Superstock TT race.

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Racing

IOMTT: Mugen Confirms Two-Rider Team for TT Zero

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Team Mugen is back for the 2014 Isle of Man TT, as the Japanese tuning house (often thought to be a front for Honda) has confirmed its entry into this year’s SES TT Zero electric motorcycle race.

Fielding two entries this year, Mugen has retained the services of John McGuinness, and the team has also added Bruce Anstey into the mix.

Mugen has also announced an a new electric race bike for the Isle of Man TT, which is named the Mugen Shinden San, “san” meaning “three” in Japanese — a pretty obvious naming scheme considering its predecessor was called Shinden Ni, or Shinden 2.

There are no details on the Shinden San at this point, beyond the fact that Mugen says the race bike will have more power and speed. A formidable entry last year, McGuinness finished second in last year’s TT Zero race, with a 109+ mph lap under his belt. This year, you can count on the 110 mph mark being a target for both McPint and Anstey.

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Racing

Simon Andrews to Ride for Penz13.com at IOMTT

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After sustaining injuries in the FIM World Endurance round at Le Mans last year, Simon Andrews is returning to racing for the 2014 Isle of Man TT in Rico Penzkofer’s paddock. The 29-year-old will be riding a BMW HP4 prepared by the Penz13.com BMW racing team, not only in the TT, but also the Macau Grand Prix and the North West 200.

During his TT debut in 2011, Andrews made it clear he was a serious competitor taking 11th in the Superstock and Senior races while setting a lap record of 125.134 mph, making him the third fastest newcomer of all time.

Add to that a fastest lap time of 126.001 around the TT Mountain Course, and you can start to see why his TT career includes four Top 15 finishes, along with a podium finish in the 2012 Macau Grand Prix where he took third.

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Racing

Keith Amor Will Race Supersport at the Isle of Man TT

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As part of the triumphant return of Keith Amor to road racing, the Scotsman has announced that he will be competing in both of the Monster Energy Supersport races in the 2014 Isle of Man TT.

Amor has already announced that he will be returning as a member of Ryan Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki team for the Lightweight TT, but he will also be riding the Site Sealants B&W Racing Honda CBR600RR.

A fan favorite, Amor has carved out a name for himself by racking up several impressive victories and setting lap records along the way.

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Racing

After a 50 Year Hiatus, Saroléa Announces Return to Racing

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Torsten Robbens, Project Manager at Belgium based Saroléa Motorcycles, has announced the company would be competing in the 2014 Isle of Man TT Zero challenge and the FIM eRoad Racing series.

After a 50 year hiatus this comes as a bit of a shock, since the company went defunct in 1963. Saroléa is one of Belgium’s oldest motorcycle companies and is seeking to reinvent itself with a new electric superbike.

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Racing

Farquhar & Amor Announce Comeback for Isle of Man TT

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Much to the delight of fans Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor have announced their return to racing, as both top riders have confirmed their entries into the 2014 Isle of Man TT under Farquhar’s KMR Kawasaki banner. This means the rivals will now race as teammates on their 650cc Kawasaki ER6 Lightweight class race bikes, as the tackle the three-lap BikeSocial.co.uk Lightweight TT Race.

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