Steve Mercer will ride for Prodigy frontman Keith Flint‘s Team Traction Control at the 2014 Isle of Man TT Races.
The 31-year-old will race the team’s TAS Racing backed Superbike and Superstock machines in the Dainese Superbike, RL360 Superstock and PokerStars Senior TT races, as well as making his Supersport TT debut aboard a Suzuki GSX-R 600.
“Although it’s a fledgling outfit they have an experienced crew with the likes of Grant Bunting who worked with Shaun Muir’s team last year and we’ve already got some races under our belts,” said Mercer, who will also ride for the team at the North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau Grand Prix. “I think that this is my chance to kick on and get into the top ten in the Superbike races at the TT. I’m also really looking to get out on a 600 for the first time on the Mountain Course and I think that doing the extra races will help with my overall preparation.”
Mercer first rode at the TT in 2009, winning the coveted Best Newcomers Trophy. His best TT finish came in the 2013 Superstock TT, finishing eighth in a year where he also finished 12th in the opening Superbike race of the week. Mercer’s fastest lap around the course came in 2012 when he set a 126.323mph lap (17:55.24) in the Superbike race.
“After racing myself for several years I know what’s needed to compete on two wheels but I think taking on the mountain course is something I couldn’t dream of doing myself,” commented Flint. “I believe it’s one of the biggest motorcycle races the world has to offer and I’ll put the best team out there possible. Doing the TT is not just something I want to cross off my bucket list. We are going there to do a job with a very capable rider using some top notch bikes and I can’t wait.”
