Brookes’ full-on TT attack

McAMS Yamaha have confirmed they will field both Supersport and Superstock bikes for Josh Brookes at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

The squad, which has won four Supersport TTs in the last three years with Ian Hutchinson, will prepare a YZF-R6 for the Aussie to contest the Supersport class and a YZF-R1 for the Superstock race alongside his Norton duties in both the Superbike and Senior classes.

“With Hutchy heading to Honda I had asked McAMS about riding the 600 at the TT but BSB was very much the primary focus so I didn’t put any pressure on,” said Brookes.

“The team had sold the bikes and decided not to bother with the TT, but after a few chats it seems that a seed was planted and they’ve prepared a 600 Supersport and Superstock bike which will be ready to go by the end of the month!

“It’s easy to see the benefit of riding in as many classes as possible at the TT. Last year I wasn’t too comfortable on the 600 as you’ve got to be very aggressive and ride line to line. I wasn’t so great with that as I’d had a few years away but after lots of laps at the TT and then the Classic TT I’m interested to see whether the 600 suits me more this year. “Maybe it could be the best chance we have of a podium, maybe even more so than on the superbike? We’ll have to wait and see, the extra track time will be the biggest difference,” concluded Brookes.

And that track time will be key with the team confirming that they will not be entering next week’s NW200.