Ripley Land Racing have opted for a healthy blend of youth and experience for August’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts, having signed TT stars Michael Rutter and Adam McLean for this year’s annual event.

Having ridden for the team since 2014, Rutter will again campaign a 350cc Drixton Honda in the Locate.im Junior Classic TT where he’ll be joined by young gun McLean on board a 350cc AJS 7R. The Northern Ireland youngster will also contest the Bennetts Senior Classic TT on the team’s 500cc Seeley G50, previously ridden by Rutter.

Winner of this year’s SES TT Zero Race, Rutter has enjoyed some excellent results at the Classic TT since first contesting the meeting five years ago. The Midlands rider has twice won the Junior Classic TT for Ripley Land Racing, taking the honours in both 2015 and 2017, whilst he also finished a close second to Michael Dunlop in 2016.

He was leading last year’s race before a puncture halted his progress and led to eventual retirement, whilst his fastest lap on the 350cc Honda of 104.002mph is the third quickest in the class ever, behind Dunlop and Dominic Herbertson.

Meanwhile, McLean made an excellent debut at the event last year when the 23-year old finished in a superb sixth place for the team in the Locate.im Junior Classic TT, riding the same AJS he’ll campaign this year.

Ripley Land Racing are staunch supporters of both the Classic TT and the classic racing scene in general, with Ian and Janet Garbett continually putting out machines of the highest quality.

In addition to the success enjoyed with Rutter, the Guildford-based team have also taken two race wins at the meeting with Chris Palmer, and Cameron Donald is another rider to have enjoyed some strong results on board their machines.

With Rutter and McLean signed for 2019 their intentions are clear for this year’s Classic TT and they have a great chance of adding to their already impressive track record.

Tickets for the 2019 Classic TT are now on sale via the Official iomttraces.com website including Official Grandstand Tickets, VIP Hospitality Experiences, and Official Entertainment Events including the Counterfeit Stones Classic TT Party Performance. You can stay up to date with all the latest Classic TT news by subscribing to the Official Isle of Man TT Races Newsletter.


Images courtesy of Dave Kneen / Pacemaker Press