Michael Dunlop to Race for BMW at 2014 Isle of Man TT

BMW Motorrad UK has signed seven-time winner Michael Dunlop to race in the 2014 Isle of Man TT and other international road races. Dunlop will be the first factory-backed BMW rider in 50 years, and will try to be the first rider to win a TT race on a BMW since Georg Meier won in 1939 on a RS 255 Kompressor.

Dunlop, nephew of the great Joey Dunlop, was the star of the 2013 Isle of Man TT, winning four races and finishing second in the Senior TT on Honda machines. For this year’s TT, Dunlop will ride the BMW S1000RR in the Superbike TT and Senior TT, with the support of Hawk Racing which also operates BMW’s factory British Superbike effort. Dunlop will also compete in the Superstock TT, though BMW says it hasn’t decided whether he will be riding the S1000RR or the HP4.

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“I’m really pleased to have signed for such a strong and competitive team. The BMW S1000RR certainly has the speed for the TT and, with my experience, the support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport and Hawk Racing, I know we have a race-winning package,” syas Dunlop. “I really thought about sitting out this year, but I have found a team that I am really comfortable with and the support from BMW Motorrad Motorsport will make us a force to be reckoned with this year.”

Unfortunately, Dunlop will not be competing in the two Supersport TT races; Dunlop is the current record holder in the Supersport class with a time of 17:35.659. Dunlop also holds the Superstock TT record with a time of 17:15.114 on the Mountain Course.

The 2014 Isle of Man TT runs May 31 to June 6, with qualifying sessions in the preceding week.

[Source: IOMTT]