NORTON ENTERS TWO MACHINES IN 2013 ISLE OF MAN CLASSIC TT RACES AND REVEAL 2013 TT RACES PLANS

British Motorcycle manufacturer Norton has confirmed that it will enter two 500cc Manx Norton’s in the inaugural Isle of Man Classic TT Races, which takes place for the first time this year on the Isle of Man at the end of August.

TT riders Dan Hegarty and Ian Mackman will represent the iconic marque in the 500cc Classic TT Race, which is scheduled for Saturday 24th August 2013.

Mackman rode the Norton SG1 at last year’s TT Race meeting, and was the first man to qualify a Norton for the Senior in 20 years although the race was cancelled. Hegarty made his TT debut in 2010 and clocked a 121.73mph lap on a Supersport bike last year. Both men will also line-up in a two-bike factory team for this TT Races on an all-new Norton V4 TT bike for 2013.

The new 2013 TT bike, called the Norton SG2, has been built at the Donington Park-based factory and will have an ISR braking set-up, and semi-active suspension which has been developed in-house at the factory. It also features an all-new chassis with redesigned swingarm and Ohlins suspension. Norton has also worked to improve aerodynamics, increase fuel capacity and have introduced an F1 derived electronics control system for the engine.

Stuart Garner, MD Norton Motorcycles commented:
“Our experiences at the TT to date have stood us in good stead and the data we’ve gained from the two campaigns has helped us to make significant improvements. It was hugely frustrating not to have the bike on the grid when last year’s Senior TT was cancelled but that has only made us even more focused to put two competitive bikes on the grid this year.”

He continued: “As a team the pressure is always on when you race at the TT Races but we are all looking forward to going to the Classic TT and just relax and unwind a bit. We felt that Norton had to have a factory presence at the event in its first year and we look forward to putting on a show and entertaining the fans.”