Login

***Malcolm*** · 11-12-2019, 05:03 PM

Peter Hickman and Norton CEO Stuart Garner.

Peter Hickman will continue his association with Norton at the 2020 Isle of Man TT.

The Smiths Racing rider will compete in the Lightweight race on the Norton 650 Superlight machine for the second year.

Norton CEO Stuart Garner confirmed the news on social media on Wednesday morning, saying:

“Pleasure to continue working with Peter Hickman and Norton 650 Superlight.

“We’ve partnered with Smiths Racing for the 2020 Lightweight TT. They’re the best at what they do and leaves us to focus on road bike production in a busy 2020.”

The new Norton Superlight made its road racing debut this year at the Norton West 200, where John McGuinness rode the machine.

McGuinness, Hickman and Davey Todd formed a three-man Norton team for the Lightweight TT, when Hickman was the only finisher, sealing a solid eighth place.

Hickman and the Smiths Racing team will be BMW Motorrad’s official international road racing representatives in 2020, taking over the status from Northern Ireland’s TAS Racing team.

The British Superbike contender had a fantastic season this year, taking victory on the new S1000RR in the Superstock race at the North West 200 and claiming a hat-trick at the TT, securing wins in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport classes.

Hickman also set a new record of seven wins from seven starts at the Ulster Grand Prix and established a road racing world lap record of 136.415mph at Dundrod.

Kyle White

***captainsparkledotcom*** · 11-12-2019, 05:48 PM

Does this mean they won't be running a big bike?
“We’ve partnered with Smiths Racing for the 2020 Lightweight TT. They’re the best at what they do and leaves us to focus on road bike production in a busy 2020.”
or am I reading too much into it?

AntG · 12-12-2019, 04:10 PM

As far as I'm aware John McGuinness is still contracted to Norton and until we hear different he'll be riding their bike next year though John has recently said he still needs to sit down with Stuart Garner to see what is what because the general rumour doing the rounds at the moment is that he'll be riding a Ducati for Paul Bird next year.

I'm keen to see how the Smiths team fare in this new venture though, they're a very professional and well run team and there's no better man in road racing at the moment it seems than Peter Hickman.

HammerHead · 16-12-2019, 03:08 PM

Reading between the lines I'd say that Norton as a factory team won't be at the TT as they want to concentrate on the road bike side of things.

As Ant says the rumours are that McPint will ride a Ducati for Paul Bird. Only rumours though.

eman1948 · 16-12-2019, 08:16 PM

Is Norton in trouble?

HammerHead · 17-12-2019, 02:38 PM

(16-12-2019, 08:16 PM)eman1948 Wrote: Is Norton in trouble?

Don't know the answer to that.

However, they were just about to raise finance by means of a public share issue. This was cancelled when one single investor offered the entire amount so they withdrew the offer, although did make mention of it still being a possibility in the future.

eman1948 · 17-12-2019, 08:30 PM

Have heard that some well placed people have left Icon_eek

Login
Username/Email:
Password:	Lost Password?
	Remember me