Norton will enter this year’s Lightweight TT using a Kawasaki-power bike designed in conjunction with youngsters at the British Motorcycle Manufacturing Academy, based at Donington Park.

Ridden by road test chimpanzee and professional northerner Adam Child, the project will use an ER-6 motor, in line with the majority of the field, while Ohlins have already produced some bespoke suspension for the project and the BMMA race team are expected to start testing in the next few weeks.

“’Appen, it’s going to be really interesting to work with the students, together we have steep learning curve; the TT is the ultimate test. They have bags of enthusiasm and it’s going to an exciting few weeks; it will be great to see young faces in the paddock actually working on the race bike,” said Child, speaking from the foot of his stairs.