Dunlop-shod riders successful again at Isle of Man TT

Competing in its 125th anniversary year, Dunlop tyres have had another successful week at the Isle of Man TT. 14 out of 15 podium places used its tyres and three lap records were set in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock classes respectively.

The sun soaked 37¾ mile track hosted the Superbike race, raced on Dunlop’s KR106 and KR108 slicks. The class had changes of lead, penalties for a pit lane speed violation and a new outright lap record. Following six laps the Dunlop tyres showed their quality with a clean sweep of the podium places. The race, which was the 30th anniversary of Joey Dunlop¹s first win, also saw his nephew, Michael Dunlop start his domination of the week.

The newly-launched road legal Dunlop D212 GP Pro tyres took to the track in the Supersport and Superstock classes and continued Dunlop tyres’ winning streak, winning both races and taking five out of the six podium places available. Michael Dunlop pushed corner after corner, straight after straight on his way to two victories in one day and setting a class lap record with a heart racing speed of 131.220mph. 

Michael Dunlop’s achievements at the 2013 TT comprised four race wins. Despite being one of the youngest ever winners of the TT, he now has seven TT wins behind him at only 24.

Mark Sears, Dunlop Motorcycle product support manager, said: “The Isle of Man is one of the greatest spectacles in the motorcycle racing calendar and we are proud to be the official tyre sponsor once again. Dunlop tyres have had a fantastic TT once again taking our 26th win in the last six years, a phenomenal record. 

“This is the perfect place to come and show what our tyres can do, this is not circuit racing, there is no gravel trap or run offs, you have houses and walls surrounding you. This means that the tyres need to stick a rider to the road and provide them with the confidence to push their bike and wits to the limit. We will now go back and continue to develop our tyres for the 2014 TT and continue to transfer our race proven technology into our road going tyres. This week has been the perfect celebration for our 125th anniversary year and our addiction to this adrenaline fuelled road racing capital never seems to fade.”

The climax of the 2013 Isle of Man TT on Friday brought more success after an exceptional event for Dunlop, but ended with international concern for 10 spectators injured on the route after a rider crashed out. Dunlop says the latest news from the organisers was that none of the injuries was life threatening. The accident took the shine off what was an historic 20th win for John McGuinness when he clinched the Senior TT race. The Senior TT has been won consecutively by Dunlop tyres since 2004.