Extra Suzuki backing for Michael Dunlop

Michael Dunlop had a convincing win at the 2015 Classic TT

Eleven-time Isle of Man TT winner Dunlop won the Motorsport Merchandise Formula 1 race at the end of August on the Team Classic Suzuki XR69 after a dramatic tussle with Bruce Anstey, who shattered the lap record on the Padgetts YZR500 Yamaha with a stunning speed of 126.261mph.

The Ballymoney man and Fermanagh’s Lee Johnston will again spearhead team owner Steve Wheatman’s Classic TT challenge next year, when the Formula 1 event will be renamed the Superbike Classic Race, which will be run as a standalone event for the first time.

“We’re delighted to have agreed terms with Suzuki GB for increased support in 2016 and are proud to be officially representing the brand next season,” said a delighted Wheatman.

“This year, Michael Dunlop raced our XR69 to victory at the Classic TT – his second win in three years on our bike – and we’ll be aiming for the top step again at every event we enter in 2016 with both Michael and Lee Johnston.”

Along with the Formula 1 race, the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT and the Okells Brewery 350cc Classic TT will also change their names to the Senior and Junior Classic TT Races respectively. The 2016 classic TT runs from Saturday, August 27 to Monday, August 29.