A group of promising riders are visiting the Isle of Man this weekend to familiarise themselves with the Mountain Course ahead of this year’s TT.

Around 20 newcomer solo and sidecar competitors are coming in for the trip to complete laps of the course with TT Rider Liaison Officers Johnny Barton and Milky Quayle and a number of experienced sidecar competitors.

High profile solo newcomers getting their first look at the course will include Irish Superbike champion Brian McCormack, British Superstock competitor Dan Hegarty and Northern Ireland’s Stephen Thompson who has had impressive results in North West 200, Macau GP and Ulster Grand Prix.

The trip has been funded by the Mike Hailwood Foundation. The Foundation was created in 1981, following the death of the legendary British Motorsport star in a car accident. Its aim is to maintain and develop road racing on the Isle of Man.

Current TT riders who have benefited from the support of the Mike Hailwood foundation include Adrian Archibald, Ian Hutchinson, Davy Morgan and Steve Plater, the overall champion in 2009. They have now helped over 200 riders since their inception in 1981.

The organisation runs a number of fundraising events throughout the year and they also receive income from the Mike Hailwood Centre, which is owned by the Foundation, which is adjacent to the TT Grandstand and is rented to local Rugby club Vagabonds.

Hon Adrian Earnshaw, MHK, Treasurer, Mike Hailwood Foundation, commented:

“The foundation was set up in honour of one of the true legends of the TT who was much loved and highly respected. By fundraising and providing assistance for promising riders to experience the course in a non pressurised environment we are achieving our stated intention of promoting and maintaining road racing on the Isle of Man.”