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TT 2012 grid taking shape. - Malcolm - 12-02-2012 With the start of practicing just 15 weeks away the rider merry-go-round is in full swing. The retirement of Keith Amor left a prime vacancy alongside John McGuinness in the Honda TT Legends team. The ride has been given to last year’s star newcomer Simon Andrews; who is recovering from the horrific accident at Snetterton in which his leg was very badly broken. He still has the cage on his leg but has been cleared to begin full training to rebuild his strength. Andrews made a sensational start to his TT career last year. Despite a marked lack of practice time and a first lap d.n.f. in the Superbike Race he was able to finish 11th in the Superstock and Senior Races. His best lap of 125.174mph makes him the second fastest newcomer behind Steve Plater who recorded 125.808mph in 2007. The main weapon for the team will be 2012 specification CBR1000RR Fireblade machines. The machine is celebrating its 20th anniversary; so Honda will be very keen to ensure that it is their machines that take the winner’s laurels in the Superbike and Senior races. The team will contest the World Endurance Championship on the Fireblade. The team for this championship will be completed by two times TT winner Cameron Donald and Gary Johnson who won his first TT in last year’s second Supersport race. Cameron and Gary will have factory supported machinery for the TT and NW200 meetings. Additionally Johnson will campaign for Honda Racing in the British Superstock Championship. Andrews regards it as an honour to be asked to be the team mate of the fastest rider around the TT Course. He has ridden a couple of Endurance races, one being Le Mans and is keen to start the task. William Dunlop has signed for Wilson Craig Racing for 2012; so will be staying with Honda power. He will be campaigning on his 125cc machine in selected British Championship rounds and will be doing the Irish road meetings as well as the TT. He has been increasingly competitive on the big 1000cc machines and has been a top 600cc rider for several years. With a best lap of 128.180mph he seems certain to make the push through the 130 mph barrier this year. A podium place should certainly be well within his capability. Honda has a very strong line up but will not have things all its own way. Tyco Suzuki by TAS Racing has recently announced its line up. It has retained the services of the fans’ favourite, the incomparable Guy Martin; who went so close to gaining his first win last year’s Senior. Guy is 5th on the all time lap charts with a lap at 131.038mph. New to the TAS line up is the Isle of Man’s local hero; the Ramsey Rocket Conor Cummins. Conor acquitted himself well in his comeback from the horrendous injuries that he received in his crash at the Verandah during the 2010 Senior Race. Conor has worked like a Trojan to regain fitness and has been rewarded with being asked to join one of the best teams ever to race on the island. He is now fully fit and cannot wait to begin testing his new mounts. Conor had the 2010 Superbike Race in his pocket until machine problems forced him to park the machine at Laurel Bank. He is second on the all time and has the fastest standing start lap of 131.511mph from the 2010 Superbike Race. Another rider switching to Suzuki power from Kawasaki is Dan Kneen. It has to be said that the big Kawasakis did not appear to handle well; Dan’s miracle escape at Rhencullen seeming to prove the point as the machine tried to tie itself in knots. Dan retains of long time sponsors Marks Bloom Racing and will have support from TAS; so his machines will be up there with the very best. Dan is also to compete in the British Superstock Championship. He is a highly talented rider who will be challenging for a podium place this year; having retired whilst 4th and 3rd in last year’s Supersport races. Two times winner Ryan Farquhar has unfinished business. Having finished just 1s behind Ian Hutchinson in the enthralling 2010 Superstock race he was expected to go close again last year. A slip off at Keppel Gate in the final practice session kept him on the sidelines until he rode to a very painful 13th place in the Senior Race. Ryan stays with Kawasaki machines and will no doubt see doing his best to grab the winners’ in the Superstock Race; won for the marque by Michael Dunlop last year. His best chance of victory will probably be in the new SuperTwins class. Ryan has been the leading rider in this class in Ireland since its inception and will be very difficult to beat. Another rider staying with Kawasaki is James Hillier; who will campaign the machinery of Bournemouth Kawasaki in all of the classes. James made his debut in 2008; when he won the Newcomers’ Award. He has a best finish of 8th and fastest lap of 127.661mph (17th on the all time list). He will be looking to break into the top six this year and to join the 130mph club. In addition to the TT he will be contesting the British Superbike Championship. Michael Dunlop has yet to finalise his large capacity machines for next year’s events. He told at the S100 launch that he is close to a finalising a deal and that the machine will not be a Kawasaki. Long time sponsor Martin Marlowe has apparently bought a new 600cc machine; Michael was about to inform of his purchase. Whatever he rides he will be totally focused on winning and should add to his two wins. He not ruled out competing in the Sidecar Races; but as yet no machine has been sourced. Top privateer Dan Stewart has stayed loyal to long time sponsor Graham Wilcock. Dan will be competing on his ex-Chris Walker WSB Honda for the third year in the Superbike and Senior. He will continue to use his ex-Steve Plater British Championship winning machine in the 600cc races. Both machines have had comprehensive upgrading work in the winter. In the Superstock he returns to Honda power after one year with BMW. Dan has a best lap of 128.788mph; he seems set to achieve his ambition of breaking 130mph. My money is on him to lift the Privateers’ Cup. A star newcomer for 2012 will be Jimmy Storrar; the talented Scotsman was due to make his debut last year; but was sidelined by injury. He has competed with distinction in the British Superstock Championship. Despite missing several rounds; he finished 8th in the championship; with several top six finishes to his name. Fully fit this year he will be hoping to put the TC Racing / DP Coldplaning Honda into the podium placings. He is being helped to learn the 37.73 miles of the Mountain Circuit by Milky Quayle and John Barton. His aim for debut year will be to win the Newcomers’ Award and to hit the top of the speed chart for a newcomer. There have been some major announcements amongst the Sidecar fraternity. Former World Champion and three times TT winner Klaus Klaffenbock has retired from riding; but has not left the sport. Klaus will be the manager for the Cofain Racing by Klaffi team; which will be supported by his friend and past sponsor Andy Faragher. Klaffi will be ably assisted by two times World Champion passenger Adolf Hanni. His charges will be former World Champions Ben and Tim Birchall; who will contest the S100 in addition to the TT. They are the second fastest newcomers behind the pairing of Tim Reeves and Patrick Farrance. The chassis will be built by the legendary Louis Christen and the engines will be fettled by ace tuner Chris Mehew. The other big change sees Tim Reeves moving to the Nick Crowe team, with new passenger Dipash Chauhan. They have tried the outfit at Jurby airfield and declared it to be the best that they have ridden. It also has an LCR chassis and Honda motor. Last year’s race 2 winners John Holden and Andy Winkle and the return to the TT of the great Dave Molyneux will add to the intense competition at the sharp end of the field. Dave will have Patrick Farrance in the chair and will; despite the quality of the opposition; be the favourite for victory in the eyes of many. The races promise to be amongst the very best ever seen on the magical 37.73 miles of tarmac – bring it on. By Richard Radcliffe .