Isle of Man TT: Padgetts to have big presence in 2008

Padgetts of Batley will have a big presence in this year’s Isle of Man TT.

Not only are they fielding John McGuinness on superbike and supersport machinery, they are also running former World Sidecar Champion Klaus Klaffenbock and Christian Parzer in the Sidecar Isle of Man TT, with backing from Manx Gas.

Clive Padgett said: “We’re excited about running John again. His TT ‘07 performance was something special but he also surprised a lot of people in British Supersport last year.

“In the final three rounds of the championship he was very close to winning races.

“But what many people aren’t aware of is that John rode at Scarborough and finished third on a 125, won the 250 race and finished second on a 600. There’s not many who can do that.”

Incredibly, John McGuinness was left with no confirmed ride when Honda pulled the plug on the Isle of Man TT for this year but Padgett is paying to run a superbike for him at the TT, which will be built in Louth to a similar HRC-kitted spec as the official HM Plant British Superbike motorcycles that Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow are riding.

John McGuiness said: “I went to Honda hospitality at the NEC and got the cold shoulder. I was HM plant supported for two years but HRC are gone and things have changed.

“But my package for this year is fantastic. Me and Clive have been chipping away to put this together.

“Honda are helping with bits and I’ve a personal two year deal Honda Europe. Clive is paying for the superbike.

“He’s pulled me out of the mulch to be fair and I’d like to do the business for him and I’d love to do it without an HM Plant sticker on it!”

Klaus Klaffenbock hopes teaming up with Clive Padgett will end the misery of DNF’s that have plagued him since he made his Isle of Man TT Sidecar debut in 2004.

Klaffenbock said: “I think I know nearly everyone around the circuit (because he’s broken down so many times).

“My target this year is to finish a race now! This is special place and I hope Clive can give me help to do this.”

With former World champ Klaffenbock and current World champ Reeves, the Sidecar Isle of Man TT has a real quality look to it but Klaffi said: “The world title says (means) nothing. This is a very special place.”