Norton to Return to the Island

I see that after 16 years, Norton is to return to the Isle of Man TT.

Michael Dunlop, aged 20, the son of motorcycle legend Robert Dunlop, will ride a works Norton NRV 588 in the seniors’ race over the infamous 37.75-mile circuit. Bikes reach speeds of 200mph on the course, which is conducted on closed public roads, complete with stone walls, lamp posts and other immovable objects, not to mention pedestrians. He said, “This is a fantastic opportunity to make history with Norton’s return to one of the world’s most famous races – a real highlight of the racing calendar. It means a lot to me as I will be following in my father’s bike tracks as he finished third on his JPS Norton when he competed in 1990.”

That’s fantastic news. I recall when Norton came back in the early nineties. That first year wasn’t so successful, but they promised to come back and win the following year. What we got was one of the most memorable Senior TT’s that I have ever enjoyed as Steve Hislop took the works Norton to a nail-biting victory over Carl Fogarty on the Yamaha.

It’s just a shame I won’t be there next year to see it.