Pirelli Stars bounce back from Injury for 2011 Isle Of Man TT Road Races

After a year of rueing the misfortune of their main riders, Pirelli bounce back with a vengeance with a strong line-up for this year’s Isle of Man TT, which looks set to be even more competitive than ever. The event is seen as the ultimate test of man, machine and tyres and is keenly followed by race fans and in boardrooms across the World. Two of Pirelli’s biggest hopes, Guy Martin and Conor Cummins crashed out of the final Senior race whilst in leading positions in 2010. Guy Martin now rides for legendary TT team Relentless by TAS Suzuki, throwing his lot in with a full manufacturer supported effort. Since his dramatic fireball accident at the Glen Vine sector last year, Martin has been the star of his own TV show, The Boat that Guy Built and has also enthralled cinema audiences as the main character in the hit film TT3D- Closer to the Edge. More importantly though, he has been on an extensive testing programme with his team and Pirelli throughout the UK and Spain. Manxman Conor Cummins was on the crest of a wave at last year’s TT, having recorded more 131mph+ TT laps than any other rider and he set the fastest lap of the entire TT festival at 131.5mph. He led the Superbike and Senior races before crashing at the Verandah section of the circuit, seriously injuring his back, knee and arm. However, after a long period of recuperation, the six foot four Manxman has ridden in National Superstock races and is ready for this year’s event. Another Pirelli rider to watch is Gary Johnson, who has gradually built his pace up at this historic event and this year has come ‘out of the blocks’ with fast times in each evening Practice session. Other riders waving the flag for the Italian brand include James Hillier, Adrian Archibald, Steve Mercer and Dan Stewart. Using extensive experience at the TT, combined with many years of control tyre supply at World and British Superbike, Pirelli development technicians have created special tyres that can withstand extended 200mph action, whilst retaining ultra high grip for the many different types of corner. The Superbike riders will be running on special Pirelli Diablo Superbike ‘slicks’ rubber whilst competitors in the Superstock and Supersport classes will be using road based production Diablo Supercorsa tyres, as per British and World Supersport events. The world renowned Tourist Trophy is seen as one of the greatest challenges of man, machine and rubber with each lap of the 37.73 mile long course containing over 200 corners and is held in high esteem at Pirelli HQ in Milan. Racing is planned to get underway on Saturday June 4th with the Dainese Superbike, followed by the Monster Energy Supersport Race and Royal London 360 Superstock on Monday June 6th. Wednesday sees the second Monster Energy Supersport Race and the final event on Friday 10th June; the PokerStars Senior race. One man who lives and breathes the TT is Pirelli’s Racing Manager and Isle of Man resident Jason Griffiths. Thirteen times a podium finisher at the TT, Jason said, “We didn’t have a lot of luck last year with our riders showing great pace but a series of technical and rider DNF’s, meant we didn’t see the top step of the podium. Guy is definitely in great form and we’ve carried out some interesting and positive tyre tests with him over the winter. There are a number of quality riders lined up this year and with Hutchy ruled out through injury it could go a number of ways for the main protagonists. Most of all we hope for good, safe racing and a continuing good spectacle for the fans.”