Two Nortons for TT 2013

Dan Hegarty joins Ian Mackman for next year

Posted: 11 December 2012
by Visordown News

NORTON'S TT return in 2012 might not have been quite the event many hoped, with teething problems in practice and a rained-off race. But the firm is heading back to the Isle of Man next year with twice the bikes in the hope of actually getting some racing done.

Nottingham-based rider Dan Hegarty, 25, might not be a big TT name just yet but he's shown promise in three visits to the island, lapping at over 121mph in the 2012 Superbike race. Now he's signed to ride Norton's Aprilia-engined prototype in the Senior next year. Existing rider Ian Mackman is also staying with the team for 2013.

Although the Norton – which is only eligible for the Senior thanks to its prototype status – didn't get to race in 2012, it did manage a lap of 124mph in practice. With another year's development and two riders on board, it should be significantly quicker next year.

Stuart Garner, Norton's owner and CEO, said: “We have followed Dan’s progress at the TT and have been very impressed with his ability and commitment to the sport. Along with these qualities he also brings a very competitive edge to the team, which makes him a great rider to work with. This gives the Norton team a very exciting future for our road racing plans.”

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Discuss this story

Leon Trotsky

What they're not telling you is that one bike will have a Honda engine, a Suzuki chassis and Aprilia everything else and the other bike will be a Norton badged Triumph. Probably. Anyway, good luck to them and it'll be nice to see a pair of Norton petrol tanks take part in the TT next year.
Have they actually made any road bikes yet?

Posted: 11/12/2012 at 18:02

charlieh

A 'nice' story and the Norton name will always welcome at the TT....but shouldn't Stuart Garner be sorting out the finances of the holding company, paying bills to suppliers, and actually delivering bikes that have been on order for over 12 months.

....That have been paid for in full

Posted: 11/12/2012 at 18:10

Rogerborg

It's like a herpes cumshot in the eye of every poor sap who's paid £15K in order to join a waiting list that puts the Post Office on pensions day to shame.

Sod off with your marketing schemes and build some bloody bikes.

Posted: 11/12/2012 at 19:34

charlieh

I really cannot understand, even the slightest little bit, why the motorcycling press, and national media in general, haven't taken a far harder line over the Norton saga.

If this was Ford, Nissan or Toyota who owed British component manufacturers/suppliers thousands of pounds, Who failed to deliver cars ordered up to 18 months earlier, which were paid for IN FULL, Who had used parts from customer vehicles, in for service, to to get export vehicles out of the factory, there would be headlines in every major newspaper and in every TV and radio news bulletin.

The guys (and girls) who have had the unfortunate experience of throwing their hard earned money down the Norton 'bottomless pit' deserve more from the Motorcycle Press....This should not go on any longer.

Posted: 11/12/2012 at 20:32

minirollsrule

hear hear charlieh!!!

Posted: 12/12/2012 at 13:15

Donteatpeople

Marketing helps sales - Sales help cash flow - Cash flow helps get bills paid and bikes out the door.

It has also previously been stated that the TT effort is largely being funded by sponsorship and not taking funds away from production.

Posted: 12/12/2012 at 13:22

Lushman

right here's my 2 pence. I couldn't careless regarding the issues with Norton selling bike it is always good to see another manufacturer or team in Motorcycle racing.

The bike will be: (if the same spec as last year)
A Spondom Chassis
and the Aprilia RSV4 engine similar to a CRT spec.

This is a great marketing ploy and will guarantee to help the Norton name since Steve Hislop won the Senior TT on a Norton beating Carl Fogarty in 1992 (I think).

Posted: 12/12/2012 at 13:28

George's Shed

They would get much more respect if their attempt at the TT was using a Norton engine and frame, even if it wasn't very competitive it would not matter to the fans they want to see and hear a Norton.
Disappointed :-(

Posted: 12/12/2012 at 17:32

Hugh G. Rection

leon trotsky hit the nail on the head - you'll only see a pair of Norton tanks flying around the TT

Posted: 12/12/2012 at 17:37

Rogerborg

Norton have "previously stated" a lot of stuff, most of which has turned out to be complete bollocks.

The blokes working on the TT bikes aren't working on building bikes for customers - who have already paid for their time in full.

It's no different from if they took sponsors' money for the TT then didn't bother showing up. Which in itself wouldn't surprise me.

Posted: 13/12/2012 at 09:17

kneedown elbow down ive crashed

I intend to race an ajs at the tt.200bhp v4.im currently sanding off the red paint and some writing on it. ducati or something ,anyway once resprayed and some fins are filed into the block it will be an ajs,i may go the whole hog and fit a round headlight ,if that isnt authentic i dont know what is.

Posted: 13/12/2012 at 19:20

Gideon Nisbet

"It's like a herpes cumshot in the eye of every poor sap who's"..

...You, sir, are a poet.

Posted: 14/12/2012 at 17:50

sidecarjohn

Riding on the back of a great motorcycle name is OK, if it's going to lead to something tangible. Could the solution be that as the very few buyers probably only want something to sit in a collection, museum, or hallway, "Naughton" could omit all the internal bits. Problem solved ?

"Fur coat and no knickers" springs to mind when considering this sad tale.

Posted: 18/12/2012 at 16:49

swinefever

Leon, I thought Stalin got rid of you long ago. What went wrong for Joe?