After a much-publicised disagreement with T.T. organisers,
Milwaukee Yamaha will compete at the 2014 meeting.

That means a return to racing around the Mountain Course for eight-time winner Ian Hutchinson and fastest-ever newcomer Josh Brookes.

Sponsors Milwaukee withdrew sponsorship of Shaun Muir's team for the T.T. only - in a dispute over new engine management system rules.

Milwaukee felt it would put Yamaha at a distinct disadvantage against other manufacturers.

So why the change of heart?


T.T. and Motorsport Development Manager Paul Phillips:-

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Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes in TT return with Milwaukee Yamaha

Yorkshire star Ian Hutchinson and Aussie Josh Brookes will make a sensational return to the Isle of Man TT in June on the Milwaukee Yamaha machines.

The pair had faced the prospect of missing the number one road race in the world due to a disagreement involving Shaun Muir’s team, title sponsors Milwaukee and the TT organisers over new rules relating to the use of electronics systems.

In January, power tools company Milwaukee withdrew its support of Muir’s outfit for the TT as a result of the impasse, but remained on board as the team’s principal backers for the British Superbike Championship and the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.

However, in a dramatic change of heart, the company has now reinstated its support of the team for the iconic Mountain meeting and both ‘Bingley Bullet’ Hutchinson and Brookes - the fastest TT newcomer in history - will line up on the Glencrutchery Road after all.

An official statement issued by Milwaukee said:

“After much deliberation Milwaukee Power Tools – title sponsor to SMR Racing in the British Superbike Championship and international road racing arena – is happy to support Shaun and his team at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

“Despite well-publicised feelings on the technical rule changes in the Superbike class, Milwaukee feel that both the team and their high-profile riders, Josh Brookes and Ian Hutchinson, deserve the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of their global TT fan base.”

Along with Hutchinson, Brookes is set to compete in the Supersport class in addition to the premier races.

“I tried to remain positive that I’d return to the TT,” said Brookes. “It’s the big one and I’m delighted to be going back after all the hard work last year.”

TT bosses have stood firm on their decision to restrict the use of after-market electronics systems such as the Magneti Marelli ECU previously run on the Milwaukee Yamaha road racing machines.

Hutchinson and Brookes will instead utilise the BSB-spec Motec unit on their YZF-R1 Superbikes.

Muir has previously expressed concerns that his riders will be put at a disadvantage by the switch to Motec, with rival manufacturers such as Honda benefitting from running their own kit ECUs, which are more advanced than Yamahas standard version.



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