IOMTT Press Release:
WK Bikes has confirmed that it plans to enter the first Chinese made motorcycle ever to race at the Isle of Man TT Races at the 2013 meeting.
The Hampshire based company has entered a 650 twin manufactured by Chinese based company CF Moto in the Lightweight TT Race which will be held on the final race day – Friday 8th June. It will race under its UK brand name of WK.
WK Bikes has lined up Australian rider David Johnson to ride the bike on the Isle of Man. The Adelaide based rider, who made his Isle of Man TT debut in 2010, returned to the TT last year having missed the 2011 meeting. He scored top fifteen finishes in the Superbike and Superstock Races and recorded a fastest lap of 17m59.45s (125.831mph) around the Mountain Course.
The colorful bike was first shown at this year’s Motorcycle Live at the NEC in Birmingham and WK was the first importer to introduce a volume production Chinese Motorcycle over 500cc to the UK market.
Commenting on their plans, WK MD Henry Maplethorpe said:
“We are very excited and proud to be working on the world’s first Chinese Motorcycle to enter the TT. The race is synonymous not only with thrilling riding but is also recognized worldwide as providing one of the best platforms to launch and develop motorcycles.”
He continued:
Hampshire Motorcycles will be building, developing and running the bike and they have our full support. They are now putting a lot of time and effort into ensuring that the bike will be ready for testing shortly. The bikes are produced for WK Bikes in the UK by CF Moto in China who are also showing great interest in the project and its development.”
Dave Tyson, MD, Hampshire Motorcycles commented:
“I am so proud that we have been chosen by WK whom we work closely with through our shop and our BSB supersport team to be a part of TT history. The bike will be built in house and with our partners we are sure that we can have a competitive bike ready for the start of the IOM TT. Being part of such an historic moment will be something we can tell people for years to come. In signing Dave Johnson we have someone who I know well and enjoyed a year at BSB Superbike with and he also has good pedigree at the TT.”
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government, commented:
“The TT is back on the map worldwide and this campaign could well represent the start of a new era in motorcycle racing. We originally introduced the Lightweight Race to the TT schedule as it represents an affordable way to go racing and already in only its second year it has become an established part of the TT.”
For more information: www.iomtt.com
