Michael Dunlop aboard a BMW S 1000 RR during the 2016 Isle of Man TT
Michael Dunlop to Race BMW S 1000 RR at 2018 Isle of Man TT
Following a year of competition aboard Suzuki GSX-R1000 machinery, Michael Dunlop returns to the 2018 international road racing scene with BMW.The 15-time Isle of Man TT winner has signed with Tyco BMW, and will field a TAS-Racing prepped S 1000 RR during the RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior races of the Isle of Man TT. He will also compete aboard S 1000 RR superbikes at the the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix.Michael Dunlop aboard a BMW S 1000 RR during the 2016 Isle of Man TT
Dunlop, 28, of Northern Ireland, is no stranger to BMW. He debuted with the Bavarian manufacturer in 2014, the year he won the Superstock, Superbike and Senior TT races. That year Dunlop, the nephew of the late Joey Dunlop who holds the TT wins record with 26, also became the first winner aboard a BMW since Georg Meier won in 1939.Dunlop claimed two additional wins with BMW in 2016, including the Senior TT when he set a new lap record of 133.962mph, ousting the previous record held by John McGuinness.Speaking of 23-time TT winner McGuinness, the “Morecambe Missile” will race alongside Dunlop in the Supersport classes aboard MD Racing (Michael Dunlop Racing) Honda CBR600RR machinery.“Tyco BMW and I have spoken many times but nothing ever came of it, but this year everything fell into place,” Michael Dunlop says. “I think it’s a good time for us both to work together and I think both of us can bring something to the table. I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome”Running the TAS Racing operations are a father/son pariing of Hector and Philip Neill. To date, the team has secured 27 North West 200 victories, and 18 at the Isle of Man TT.Philip Neill, Team Manager, adds: “It has taken some time for this to come together and I’m very happy to confirm Michael Dunlop and TAS Racing/Tyco BMW will finally work together in 2018. Michael and I have discussed options to work together on various occasions and I honestly believe this is a partnership that simply had to happen at some point.“My father and I, together with all the guys at TAS Racing, are excited and looking forward to the challenge. We would not be in this position without the support of our partners Tyco and BMW Motorrad and both are extremely happy to reach agreement with Michael for the 2018 season”For more, visit our Isle of Man TT page.
KTM RC 390 and Gordon McCall of Quail Motorcycle Gathering
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
Hello and welcome once again to Ultimate Motorcycling’s weekly Podcast—Motos and Friends.
This week’s Podcast is brought to you by Yamaha motorcycles. Discover how the YZF-R7 provides the perfect balance of rider comfort and true supersport performance by checking it out at YamahaMotorsports.com, or see it for yourself at your local dealer.
This week features Senior Editor Nic de Sena’s impressions of the new KTM RC 390. The entry-level KTM has always been an impressive motorcycle that has sold extremely well, however the factory has now taken the bike to another level, with top-spec features that are typically found on flagship machines. Clearly KTM has realized that even smaller engined machines should have high spec suspension, brakes and electronics packages. Nic tells us how well the new RC 390 is equipped, and what he thought of riding the smaller displacement rocket.
In the second segment I chat with automotive and motorcycle industry icon, Gordon McCall. Gordon is the Director of Motorsports at the Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel Valley, California.
This weekend of Saturday May 14th sees the annual Quail Motorcycle Gathering re-start after its Covid-forced hiatus, and having attended every one of the previous Motorcycle Gatherings, personally I’m very happy that the event is back on the schedule. Gordon chats about the event and a little of what’s happening this year. It’s a great event and if you feel like a trip to the gorgeous Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley, you’ll get to meet Gordon, Roland Sands, and of course a large number of stunning motorcycles too.
From all of us at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
Philip Neill, Team Manager, adds: “It has taken some time for this to come together and I’m very happy to confirm Michael Dunlop and TAS Racing/Tyco BMW will finally work together in 2018. Michael and I have discussed options to work together on various occasions and I honestly believe this is a partnership that simply had to happen at some point.“My father and I, together with all the guys at TAS Racing, are excited and looking forward to the challenge. We would not be in this position without the support of our partners Tyco and BMW Motorrad and both are extremely happy to reach agreement with Michael for the 2018 season”For more, visit our Isle of Man TT page.
