HUTCHINSON’S HOMECOMING
Ian Hutchinson will make a long-awaited return to the Manx Grand Prix this August, a mere 21 years after making his debut and one and only appearance at the event.
The 16-time Isle of Man TT winner will ride a Steadplan ZX-750 Kawasaki prepared by long-time crew chief and mechanic Chris Anderson in the four-lap RST Classic Superbike race on August Bank Holiday Monday.
It was in 2003 when the then relatively unknown Hutchinson contested the Senior Newcomers MGP race, having been mentored by nine-time TT winner and near neighbour David Jefferies.
Riding a CBR600RR Honda, the Bingley rider proved to be an instant hit around the Mountain Course as he came through from third on the opening lap to take a narrow victory, 2.8s ahead of Irishman Jonathan Ralph.
It was Hutchinson’s final lap speed of 116.66mph that really caught the eye though as it made him the fastest ever newcomer around the 37 and ¾-mile circuit, bettering the previous best mark of 115.52mph set by Jefferies himself in the 1996 Senior TT.
Since then, Hutchinson has established himself as one of the TT greats with 16 wins and 27 podiums, figures which would undoubtedly have been higher had it not been for his well-documented injuries and health issues.
The now 44-year old made his return to competitive action earlier this year after missing the entire 2023 season with the TT seeing him claim four top-15 finishes with a best of 12th in the Senior race where he posted his best lap of the fortnight at 128.526mph.
Keen to get back to his previous heights, the decision to contest the Manx is designed with exactly that in mind, as he looks to maximise his track time around the Mountain Course ahead of next year’s TT campaign.
Want to know more about Hutchinson’s first and only MGP? Check out this YouTube video talking all about it.
If you want to see Hutchy’s return to the MGP this year, check out Duke Travel for packages from the UK and further afield, Horst Saiger for German Tours and the Isle of Man Steam Packet for race day day trips.
