old school showing up the new school http://www.iomtt.com/News/2012/06/08...t-2012-TT.aspx Norton has won the 2012 Motul Team Award for Technical Excellence at the 2012 Isle of Man. Event organisers ACU Events Ltd and representatives of the Race Committee, which includes the rider liaison officers Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle and John Barton, judged the award. The appearance of the company, based next to the Donington Park Race Circuit, in the Senior TT with Ian Mackman riding their machine will be almost 20 years to the day since Steve Hislop rode a Norton to victory in what is widely acknowledged as the greatest TT race of all time and the company’s Managing Director Stuart Garner is clearly pleased to have achieved qualification this time. A factory-backed Norton originally returned to the TT in 2009, after an absence of 17 years, but the machine didn’t finish a practice lap and so failed to qualify for the races. Mr Garner said: “It is great to win this award as it really has been a team effort. Everyone who has worked on this also works at the factory and they have done a huge amount of development work in their free time." "We’ve also been very fortunate with our suppliers and main sponsor Santander. We are already planning for next year and our long term aim is to be podium contenders.” He added: “The TT organisation has been hugely supportive and instrumental in getting a prototype back into the class by being flexible over homologation. I think it is hugely important to get a wide mix of machinery and the organisers deserve great credit.” Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Development Manager Paul Phillips said: "This is a thoroughly deserved award and recognises the huge achievement that Norton has pulled off in building a bike in their British factory and qualifying the machine for the Senior TT. It is fantastic to have such a great name lining up on the grid and we look forward to them adding to their great TT record.”
Thats nice, but reading the Norton forums suggests it would be nice if after taking the deposits they actually build and deliver bikes. I hear they got Govt.....er taxpayers handout but only for bikes being exported, the Brits have to wait. I was at the IOM when the Norton Rotaries won......even got a brochure at the Birmingham show....then it all fizzled out. As much as I like the TT its a bit of a side show in terms of racing....its only for the hard men of the bike world, still its more exciting to watch than a load of over paid nancy boys riding computer controlled 2 wheeled R2D2's round a track.....saying that I have never actually watched a Moto GP or Superbike race...or Formula 1 or Bathhurst.....or any sports for that matter....... rant over.
So they got an award for producing a machine that can finish a practice lap?
I was at the IOM when the Norton Rotaries won Must have been one of the rare times it was televised here, I still remember the sound of those bikes, simply awesome But "Technical excellence" for a bike that didn't finish a practice lap and didn't qualify?
the biggest news has to be Bruce winning again in the supersport....good on Norton trying to get back into racing to sell bikes to the baby boomers....and i do hope they do well......really I do.
Well it's not really Norton is it, just a bunch of new boys with new money and an old logo. Kind of like a pop diva rehashing a jazz standard from the '40's.
Who's Bruce? Can't see the connection between Baby Boomers bike sales and racing.....does Harley Davidson and Triumph bother racing....? Racing is just to give Sky TV something to feed the Baby Boomer couch potatoes...
Bruce Anstey 9 time winner at IOMTT. yes both harley and triumph are racing new models....and they see sales, but what do they know. Racing is just to give Sky TV something to feed the Baby Boomer couch potatoes really?? racing is just for sky??....shit i wonder if the thousands of racing clubs that don't get on sky know about this....they must stop immediately...
probably will soon as costs go thru the roof....even bucket racing now requires wets and transponders......as for the Racing on Sky ...its just entertainment these days....like American Idol...
well at least i got to see a running norton today eh Voltaire
Yeah....came to pick up my award for teknikal xcelence...... Spray and Walk away should sort out your drive.....how was the course?
Course was good let about outside line for Cornering to see through them etc
Was the award for reducing front tyre wear?
Well, he's wearing Norton leathers, but it looks like he's riding the latest Santander.
Powered by an RSV motor whatever that is..sounds Woppy.
