Milwaukee Power Tools has retracted its suggestion that new rule changes affecting electronics at the 2014 Isle of Man TT races were implemented at Honda’s behest.

The claim was made in a press release issued on January 5 announcing Milwaukee’s decision to withdraw financial support of Shaun Muir’s Yamaha team and riders Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes as a result of the change in regulations, which limits teams to kit electronics or a Motec spec-ECU.

However, Honda took umbrage over the allegation and on Monday night a statement issued by Milwaukee Power Tools accepted the claim had been ‘incorrect’.

The statement said:

“It has been drawn to our attention by Honda that a paragraph in a press release on January 5, 2014 concerning changes to the TT rules for 2014 – which have led to Milwaukee withdrawing its support for the SMR Milwaukee Yamaha Team at TT 2014 – incorrectly stated that those changes were proposed by Honda.

“Honda has asked us to point out that the ACU consulted all manufacturers about the rule changes for the 2015 TT. Whilst not all manufacturers were in agreement with the rule changes, Honda took proactive steps to suggest a way to mitigate the significant rule changes being introduced by the ACU by suggesting limited engine changes for 2014.

“We therefore regret any interpretation that suggested Honda proposed rule changes by which it would gain any competitive advantage.”

Although Milwaukee Yamaha riders Hutchinson and Josh Brookes’ chances of competing at the TT in June remain uncertain, the pair have been confirmed for the Vauxhall International North West 200 in May, where they can continue to use the Magneti Marelli electronics package under FIM regulations.



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