Isle of Man TT stars Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes could be forced out of the 2014 festival after rules governing electronics mean the eight-time winner would not be competitive on his Milwaukee Yamaha and team boss Shaun Muir is considering pulling the plug on attendance.
Race bosses want a spec-ECU system - as is run in British Superbikes – in place for 2015 but have moved to a halfway house for next year where teams will have to bin expensive after-market electronics like Magneti Marelli and move to kit systems, adopt a Motec spec-ECU or run original equipment. The teams will also have a rev limit of manufacturer maximum plus 750rpm.
Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki have given their OK as their kit electronics are up to speed, but Hutchinson’s Milwaukee squad are against the plans as their YEC kit system is nothing like as advanced as the competition and the Bingley man would simply not be able to find the pace to run consistent 131mph laps.
“I have fought these new regulations tooth and nail but to no avail so I may have no option but to remove both Josh and Ian from the event because it would be very difficult to make them both anything like competitive at the very sharp end,” said Muir, speaking to bikesportnews.com.
"The kit systems from the other manufacturers already contain strategies for rider aids traction control and anti-wheelie, for example, whereas the Yamaha’s isn’t that advanced, so we would be at a distinct disadvantage, especially when it comes to putting in consistent 131mph lap where a full electronics package is necessary.
"Neither myself or Yamaha want to be put in this position but at the end of the day, the other manufacturers are happy with it. We have plenty of experience with the BSB Motec spec-ECU and would have no problem moving to it in 2015.”
TT clerk of the course Gary Thompson said: “The driver for the proposed amendments to the Superbike regulations for 2014 is cost management, something we all need to be mindful of in the current economic climate. So as not to isolate the IOM TT in the future as having a ‘one-off set of rules’ requiring teams to build machinery specifically for the TT, the change in rules moves towards a specification similar to and in line with the British Superbike Championship.”
It is thought that North West 200 and Ulster GP organisers are not pressing for these changes in 2014 but may adopt them in 2015. Rules for engine tuning will remain as they are for next year at the TT but then move to something more in line with BSB the year after.
