Ian Hutchinson’s comeback appearance at this year’s TT has been put in further doubt after the title sponsors of Shaun Muir’s Yamaha team withdrew their support for the event.

In a press release issued over the weekend Milwaukee Power Tools confirmed it had withdrawn its backing of Muir’s outfit at the TT due to a change in the rules governing the use of electronic systems.

Muir has fought the introduction of the new regulations because he believes it would leave Hutchinson and team-mate Josh Brookes at a disadvantage with the Yamaha system they would be forced to use not as advanced as others.

In a statement on bikesportnews.com Milwaukee’s UK commercial director Dale McElveen said:

‘The decision to withdraw our support from the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races with SMR is two-fold. Firstly we believe the rule changes, apparently initiated as a cost-saving exercise, would actually have had an adverse effect on SMR Racing – costing Shaun Muir and his team in excess of £30,000 to convert machinery that is currently ready to race.’

‘SMR, with much reluctance, made a proposal to the ACU and manufacturer supported teams, proposing to run their current Magneti Marelli ECU System – albeit with disable rider aids.

‘This would have brought the team’s Marelli system into line with the proposed Motec variant, which was listed as an option by TT organisers.

‘This in turn would have saved Milwaukee Yamaha £30,000 to purchase and fit the Motec systems, which we hasten to add, is not being used, or purchased, by any of the other leading manufacturers.

‘Unfortunately SMR’s proposal to use a restricted Marelli package, was rejected by the other leading manufacturers and the TT organisers.

‘The forced ECU changes, suggested at the outset by Honda, would have made all SMR road racing machinery less competitive than its rivals, and the control ECU that SMR would have been forced to fit [Motec] – gives less control than that of their main competitors’ Kit systems.

‘The irony is the rule change will solely affect Yamaha as the other leading manufacturers have modern manufacturer produced ‘Kit’ versions readily available, which will allow them to compete with no disadvantage.

‘If we add to that the increased budget involved to compete [in a less competitive state] with the other main manufacturers [should SMR have used Motec] – who ironically, can roll out last year’s machinery at no extra cost – then we had no option but to make this tough decision and withdraw our support for SMR at the 2014 TT Races.

‘We would like to stress that every effort was made with the Isle of Man TT organisers in somewhat protracted discussions to find a solution that would effectively have allowed SMR to bring high-profile riders Ian Hutchinson – the event’s only five time clean sweep winner in a week – and Josh Brookes to TT 2014.

‘Milwaukee Yamaha was also in the process of pledging support to a third rider for next year’s event and we feel, the tangible inflexibility, has robbed TT fans of seeing three riders with 15 TT victories between them, numerous lap records; not to mention an embargo on the return of the fastest newcomer in Australian superstar Brookes.’

Milwaukee will continue to back the team in BSB and at the North West 200, Ulster GP and Macau.

Hutchinson, Tweeting on the subject yesterday said:

‘I support my team and sponsors decision fully, this has been driven by another manufacturer from the start who don’t have to change a thing!’

In a statement issued to the Belfast News Letter on Sunday, TT organisers countered the allegations that another team had spearheaded the new rule changes:

‘The Department of Economic Development and ACU Events Ltd, organisers of the Isle of Man TT Races, regret the decision by Milwaukee Power Tools to withdraw their sponsorship from Shaun Muir Racing (SMR) for the 2014 Isle of Man TT races as a result of a regulation change in the Superbike class.

‘ACU Events Ltd amended the regulations following consultation with the motorcycle manufacturers as part of a longer-term strategy to contain costs for the TT teams and competitors.

‘Despite extensive mediation and consultation with SMR, which began in July 2013, ACU Events Ltd is disappointed that the team has rejected the compromise proposed for the 2014 Races.’

‘At no point did any one manufacturer influence the decision and after discussions with a number of competitors, ACU Events Ltd does not believe that it will in any way compromise rider safety, which remains the organisation’s utmost priority.’



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