Michael Dunlop on the podium at the Classic TT.

The 13-time Isle of Man TT winner and Mountain Course outright lap record-holder is already entered for the event on one of Steve Wheatman’s Suzuki XR69s as he bids to retain the Classic Superbike trophy he won last year. 

However, the Ulster rider is in need of a bike for the 500cc race, which takes place on Saturday, August 27. 

Dunlop has ridden for Andy Molnar’s Norton team in the 500cc race in recent years but has been outgunned by the faster Paton and MV Agusta machines. 

He is now hoping to seal an late deal ahead of the popular festival to enable him to ‘have a proper go’ at winning the 500cc race for the first time. 

“I would like to have a proper go on a 500 and although I am a bit late of looking for a bike I hope there will be somebody out there who has something that I could race,” 

said Dunlop. 

“We have the Ulster Grand Prix next week so practice doesn’t start for the Classic for another couple of weeks and I hope that I can get a deal sorted by the time we arrive on the Island.”

Kyle White