The organisers of the Isle of Man TT have announced huge, high-quality field will compete in the 2014 TT Races.
The Superbike, Superstock, Lightweight and Supersport categories were all over subscribed, with a star-studded group of riders set to line up at the end of May. Meanwhile, the Formula Two Sidecar class will have over 60 outfits compete.
Sixty-six of the solo riders have already completed laps at over 120mph, meaning that not only will the front of the field see strong competition, but there will be quality riders throughout the field. As a result, organisers were faced with the tough decision of turning down a number of riders who may have received an entry in previous years.
Eleven TT winners, with 57 wins between them, will line up at the Grandstand for the start of the races, headed by King of the Mountain John McGuinness, Michael Dunlop, Guy Martin, Bruce Anstey, Ian Hutchinson, Conor Cummins and many, many more big names.
As well as big rider names, big team names will also be back at the Mountain Course, with Honda Racing, Padgetts Motorcycles, BMW Motorrad/Hawk Racing, Milwaukee Yamaha, Tyco Suzuki and Wilson Craig Racing among the familiar names competing in 2014.
A host of impressive newcomers also add to the excitement, with British Superbike Championship contenders Martin Jessopp and Peter Hickman, as well as former Moto3 Grand Prix front-runner Danny Webb all making their TT debut.
While the new breed make their first appearances at the TT, two former front-runners will return to the TT races as team-mates: Ryan Farquhar and Keith Amor.
Top names in the Sidecar world will also compete on the 37.73 mile course again, with Tim Reeves & Dan Sayle and Ben and Tom Birchall expected to battle for the spoils once more, although 2011 winners John Holden and Andy Winkle will be looking to return to the top step.
“Not only do we have an increasingly impressive entry list at the front of the grid, with all the leading contenders competing and significant commitment from the leading manufacturers but we also have a incredible strength in depth throughout the field,” said TT and Motorsport Development Manager for the Isle of Man Government, Paul Phillips. “120mph plus laps are fast becoming the minimum benchmark at TT in the 1000cc classes with high calibre newcomers quickly demonstrating their ability on the roads. I expect this year’s races not only to again have thrilling finishes with races decided by split seconds but to also see solid performances from a talented group of newcomers. It’s also encouraging to see such strong entries for both the Sidecar and Lightweight Races.”