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Already the crystal ball gazers are hard at work seeking what the future can hold for the riders of the first TT in the new millennium. Chances of a struggle reaching Titanic proportions seems likely between the Honda and Yamaha camps creating a wave of early bookings to the event and a storm of interest in how the fortnight will develop. It will be an exciting year.
Dont expect a total monopoly by UK riders either; there are some from the Antipodes who are knocking on the door for podium place,most notably the New Zealanders who come to the TT fresh from a tough season down under.
Most experienced and perhaps unlucky so far must be Shaun Harris. Shaun has served his apprenticeship well on the island, having set lap records and even leading some races only to have the elusive victory snatched from him at vital moments.This time he returns in top form, having a victorious local season behind him and no doubt, a determination to produce a similar result in the northern hemisphere. Rumoured to be riding some top class machinery this year; don\'t cross him off your list of podium candidates next June.
The fastest New Zealander to have ever lapped the course, at 121.35mph, Blair Degerholm has assembled a collection of very fast Kawasakis to take to the start line. A new 600cc Junior mount along with a 900cc production machine join the 750 Superbike in the Des Collins/ Richard Turner team combination. With Chris Mehew prepared engines, the bikes will be fettled by one of the best men in the business and Blairs ability to get the chassis working to his liking, puts him as a definite threat in all the classes he will ride and thus a third brand of machine comes into the picture.
Two times Lightweight 400cc winner, Paul Williams joins the fabulous Vimto team on a Honda RS250 in an endeavour to become the first person to win both divisions of the lightweight race. Spending a lot of time on his private Honda RC45, this super fit Kiwi has been riding his own version of the TT course through the lonely back roads of his native Otago, in the South Island of New Zealand. He arrives at on the island focused and accustomed to the high speeds needed to do the lap times that bring along a TT win. Put his name on your list also.
Replacing Paul in John Shand Racing team will be Craig Shirriffs, the fastest newcomer in the 1999 TT at 114+mph. Not a bad time for a Junior machine considering he rode it to the TT from England and back again afterwards! This talented rider takes over the 1998 and 1999 winning machine of Williams in the 400cc lightweight race and is very capable of giving the bike a three in a row victory count.
Along with Craig, an equally talented Kiwi, Brett Richmond will pilot the second Honda CBR400RR for the same team. This ex Ian Simpson/ Nigel Piercy bike has the same specifications as Shirriffs machine and has been on the TT podium before. Richmond has already circulated the island at speeds well in excess of what is needed for the 400cc race and in his third visit, expect this rider to put this bike back into the winners enclosure once more.
This makes a total of five riders from New Zealand who have the talent and machinery to make the organisers reach for the cassette tape of their national song. Add to this the determination of every New Zealander in every sporting code imaginable, to avenge the loss of their beloved rugby team in the World Cup. Start humming the tune, you may hear it more than once this TT fortnight
Former Kiwi John Shand, now living in Sweden, looking forward to this years IoM, held in the first week of June
