MCE Insurance British Superbike rider Peter Hickman will compete in the Classic TT for the first time this year after joining the Mistral Racing team.
Hickman will ride alongside Steve Mercer and Jamie Coward at the Lancashire-based team, both of which have previous experience at the event.
Hickman joins the team having impressed during his maiden Isle of Man TT outing in 2014, where he became the fastest newcomer in TT history when he lapped in excess of 129mph during the PokerStars Senior TT race.
Hickman, who also managed to finish in eighth place in the RL360 Superstock Race last year, is looking forward to competing in the Classic TT for the first time.
Hickman said: “I’m really pleased to be able to race at the Classic TT and with such a great team and motorcycle. I’m really keen for the extra track time as I still learn the circuit, but I won’t be going just to make up the numbers and I know the bike is capable of a top result. I’m, grateful to Ian and the team at Mistral Racing for the opportunity and I’m going to be giving it my all to get them a result to repay their faith in me.”
Hickman’s teammates have had very different experiences in the Classic TT event in recent years, with Mercer finishing in fourth place at last year’s event.
Coward on the other hand retired on the third lap back in 2013, whilst in fifth place, before being forced out of last year’s race through injury.
The team, which is run by Ian Harrison, will be running Kawasaki ZXR750s and are expected to use their Team Kawasaki France replica colours.
The classic TT takes place over the bank holiday weekend in August and with no BSB event planned for that weekend there could be more BSB riders following in Hickman’s footsteps and joining the Classic TT grid.
