STEWART GEARS UP FOR ISLE OF MAN CLASSIC TT RACES

Dan Stewart will return to the Isle of Man Classic TT presented by Bennetts this week.

The Barrow born rider is an experienced campaigner, having competed in the TT Races every year since his debut in 2006.

Stewart, who will be accompanied by his dad, John, and sponsor Graham Wilcock, will start his campaign in this evening's qualifying before he competes in the Bennetts 500cc Race on Saturday August 23 and the Motorsport Merchandise Formula One Race two days later.

The 39-year-old will be racing on a 1992 Kawaski ZXR750, and a 1972 Honda CB 500P.

"I am looking forward to doing it," he said. "It is a bit of a new venture, the classics. We have not raced them yet, it is a bit of a toe in the water. It is the first time racing old bikes.

"One of the bikes is older than me so it will be a bit of a step back in time. We've only got 60 horse power but it won't stop and it won't go very fast and it will be quite interesting to ride."

Each race will cover four laps of the course where Stewart will achieve speeds of up to 130mph.

He added: "It is about half the speed that the big superbike goes at TT. It will give me a chance to enjoy the scenery if nothing else!"

Stewart's last run came in a British Championship round at Thruxton and despite having a bit of trouble with his Kawasaki ZX10 superstock bike's gear box, he qualified for the top 20.

Stewart, of Bridgegate Motorcycles, Barrow, competed in the TT Races earlier this year, returning home from the island with four silver replicas. He completed five races during the week, with a best finish of ninth place.


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