Oversubscribed TT entries close

Entires have now closed for the 2014 Isle of Man TT, with the event once again oversubscribed in almost every class as riders from around the world now battle simply to get a race start at the iconic road race.

Incredibly, 66 of this year’s riders have already lapped the circuit at speeds exceeding 120mph average; a pace good enough to win races only a decade ago, and forcing race officials to turn down entries from even experienced TT riders as the lap speeds increase.

The entry contains eleven former solo race winners with a collective 57 wins between them whilst riders from all corners of the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Austria, Italy, USA, France, Hungary, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic and Argentina are represented.

The list of top entries includes some of the most successful names in recent TT history, including John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey, Conor Cummins, Gary Johnson, Michael Rutter, James Hillier, William Dunlop and of course the eleventh hour entries of Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes.

There’s also a whole host of newcomer talent form both the UK and further afield, with MCE British Superbike racers Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman and former Moto 3 Grand Prix front runner Danny Webb joined by Belgians Vick de Cooremeter and Laurent Hoffmann, Canadian Dan Kruger and Frenchman Franck Petricola.

Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, Isle of Man Government, believes that the entry list will see records tumbling again

“Not only do we have an increasingly impressive entry list at the front of the grid, with all the leading contenders competing and significant commitment from the leading manufacturers but we also have a incredible strength in depth throughout the field.” 

“120mph plus laps are fast becoming the minimum benchmark at TT in the 1000cc classes with high calibre newcomers quickly demonstrating their ability on the roads. I expect this year’s races not only to again have thrilling finishes with races decided by split seconds but to also see solid performances from a talented group of newcomers. It’s also encouraging to see such strong entries for both the Sidecar and Lightweight Races.”