Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Malcolm Offline
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#1
Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
[Image: mickyd2017senior.jpg]
Michael Dunlop won the Senior TT in 2017 in his first year at Suzuki after a mechanical failure 
forced him out of the lead during the Superbike race

Michael Dunlop has revealed that he has split from the Hawk Racing team with whom he has enjoyed considerable success in the Superbike class at the Isle of Man TT in recent years.

The 28-year-old has been linked with various teams in recent months but tested the BSB outfit's Buildbase Suzuki in Spain earlier this month.

The Ballymoney rider says he is now "considering his options".

He will run MD Racing-backed bikes in the Superstock and Supersport classes.

"I'd like to clarify my current position regarding the upcoming road racing season," said Dunlop in a statement on his MD Racing Facebook page.

"I will be contesting the Superstock and Supersport classes at the Isle of Man TT and other events on my own MD Racing machines.

"I have not renewed my contract with Hawk Racing however. I am currently considering my options for the Superbike class and will confirm my plans when something is sorted.

"I'd like to thank Stuart and Steve for their support over recent years where we have shared a lot of success together."


TT lap record holder

Dunlop holds the outright lap record at the Isle of Man TT and his success in the Senior race in 2017 took his tally of victories at the event to 15.

PTR recently announced they would prepare a Supersport Honda for Dunlop at the international road races.

Dunlop is currently fourth on the all-time solo winners' list around the 37.7-mile Mountain Course, 11 behind his late uncle, and record holder, Joey Dunlop.

On top of his Senior TT success, Dunlop also claimed a win in the Supersport class at the TT, as well as taking the chequered flag at the North West 200 in the same class.

To cap off an impressive year, Dunlop claimed a hat-trick at the Armoy Road Races, as well as winning the Senior Race at the Southern 100.



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16-03-2018, 11:30 PM
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Alfie Noakes Offline
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#2
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Come on then .. place your bets. I doubt he's going forward with no options.
17-03-2018, 01:54 PM
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warrior Offline
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#3
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
The only available seat I can think of is with Shaun Muir's new Gulf BMW team.
17-03-2018, 04:08 PM
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eman1948 Offline
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#4
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Tyco BMW
17-03-2018, 04:35 PM
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Roadracingfan Offline
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#5
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Norton did mention a two or three man team earlier in the year, and Michael suggested he could return to Norton when they have a competitive bike. Hector is desperate for a Senior. Shaun Muir may have the bikes but, the memories also. McCams will have big hole in the season, assuming Ian isn't going to ride for them. He also gets on well with Michael Rutter, so Bathams possibly. Paul Bird's Ducati seems to have handled the roads well.
17-03-2018, 05:17 PM
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BrianW Offline
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#6
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
My money is on Tyco BMW
19-03-2018, 12:04 PM
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BrianW Offline
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#7
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Sorry, can I change my mind ! I think the Woodhouse tenner should go on Norton now, If anyone can wrestle it onto the podium it's MD.
19-03-2018, 01:00 PM
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Azman Offline
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#8
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
....and I still have my Micky D Milwaukee Yamaha T shirt.... smilie smilie smilie



"Its turned out quite nice ....." Beer2
Riggsy
20-03-2018, 10:17 AM
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Malcolm Offline
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#9
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Stay tuned tomorrow for a big announcement

[Image: mdsurprise.jpg]

All will be revealed tomorrow Wednesday 21st March.
20-03-2018, 07:58 PM
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Sam Pato Offline
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#10
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Ooohh - exciting stuff. I'm with the Tyco camp.

That said - if he's sorted with a new ride in March there is still time for another split and join another team by June. What are the odds that the bike in tomorrows announcement is not the one that he lines up on Glencrutchery Road on (I reckon 50:50)?

Regardless - I'm enjoying the drama.

Sam
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21-03-2018, 12:27 AM
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mcguyver Offline
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#11
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
I reckon it will be a Carl Cox backed BMW
21-03-2018, 03:39 AM
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eman1948 Offline
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#12
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Tyco BMW  to show Hutchinson how to win the Senior TT on it. Icon_biggrin
21-03-2018, 08:08 AM
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Malcolm Offline
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#13
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
[Image: 2018presshdr.jpg]

Michael Dunlop's MD Racing sign John McGuinness

In an unprecedented move, two of the Isle of Man TT’s greatest ever riders will join forces at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy with John McGuinness set to ride for Michael Dunlop’s MD Racing team in the two Monster Energy Supersport races.

McGuinness, who will be making his return to the TT this year after missing the 2017 meeting due to injuries sustained at the North West 200, will ride a similar CBR600RR Honda to team owner and rival Dunlop in the four-lap races, which will be held on Monday 4th and Wednesday 6th June.

Dunlop and McGuinness both have an excellent track record in the class with the Northern Irishman winning last year’s four lap race when Yamaha-mounted while 23-time winner McGuinness was victorious in both 2005 and 2006 for Yamaha and Honda respectively. Riding for the latter exclusively since 2006, the Morecambe Missile added further Supersport podiums to his haul in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2013.

Since 2010 McGuinness has lined up in the colours of Padgetts Racing and, more recently the Jackson Racing team, finishing in the top five on no less than eight occasions with his most recent outing in 2016 seeing him finish fifth. His fastest lap in the Supersport category, 127.210mph, came in 2013 when he made his last visit to the podium in the class which makes him the fifth fastest rider ever to have lapped the Mountain Course on a 600cc machine.

Dunlop still holds the lap record for the class having lapped at 128.667mph on his way to a double victory in 2013 when riding the CBR600RR. MD Racing will be making their return to Honda for the two Monster Energy Supersport Races for the first time since 2015.



[Image: mcpint&mickyd.jpg]

Speaking about the tie-up, John McGuinness commented:

“I’m excited to be riding Michael’s bike at this year’s TT.  It’s started off as a bit of a joke conversation between us both and has developed into him going off and building me a bike. I’m a big fan of Michael’s both as a rider but also for what he has done in terms of running his own teams and winning races out the back of his van against the factory teams over the years. The Dunlop name means so much to TT fans and as a fan myself, I can’t wait to represent that name at this year’s event. We’ve won 38 TT’s between us so together we know what needs to be done and I am sure we will be right at the sharp end.”

[Image: mcpintonMDbike1.jpg]

Michael Dunlop added:

“I hadn’t ever really planned on building another bike, but when John started talking to me about it, I thought it was a great idea and I couldn’t really say no. It’s good for me, it’s good for my team and no matter who you are, the man has won 23 TT races so there is always going to be something that can be learnt by having him in working alongside you. People don’t see him as a 600cc rider, but he’s won races and had lots of podium finishes on a 600cc bike and I will give him a bike capable of winning on.”


[Image: MickyDteamlogo.jpg]
(This post was last modified: 21-03-2018, 07:30 PM by Malcolm.)
21-03-2018, 07:21 PM
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Malcolm Offline
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#14
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
[Image: mcpint&mickydteam2.jpg]

Pair have 38 TT wins between them

Two of the most successful riders in TT history will join forces at the 2018 meeting.

23-time winner John McGuinness will ride for 15-time victor Michael Dunlop's MD Racing team in the Supersport races.

The pair explain how the deal came about - starting with team owner Michael Dunlop:-


[Image: listenhere.jpg]




[Image: manxradiologo.jpg]
21-03-2018, 08:00 PM
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BrianW Offline
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#15
RE: Michael Dunlop announces split from Hawk Racing team
Well, that's my tenner gone !!
01-04-2018, 01:31 AM
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