Michael Rutter has been named as one of Dan Kneen’s replacements for this weekend’s Classic TT after the Manx rider was injured at the Ulster Grand Prix. Kneen was ruled out following the injury picked up in the Supersport race at Dundrod with Rutter called up alongside Ian Lougher and Ben Wylie to fill the void.
Rutter will represent the Team Ripley Land Racing squad in the Bennetts 500cc race on Saturday, riding the G50 Matchless, and made his first appearance on the Island in practice this evening, clocking the eleventh fastest time.
Ten time TT race winner Ian Lougher will take Kneen’s place on the Drixon Honda in Monday’s Okells 350cc race, the same machine which claimed victory last year in the hands of Chris Palmer. The Welshman will be hoping to replicate his podium finish in the 1983 Manx Grand Prix newcomers’ race where he followed Robert Dunlop and Steve Hislop home in one of the iconic mountain course races.
Meanwhile, Ben Wylie will take over Kneen’s RLR GSXR 750cc machine in the Motorsport Merchandise F1 Race on Monday. The Shropshire rider has three top ten finishes at the TT to his name and made a strong start to his week, going ninth quickest in practice tonight.