LAYCOCK RACING BACK FOR MORE VICTORIES

Reigning and double Lightweight Manx Grand Prix winner Mike Browne will return to the MGP later this year as he bids to make it a hat-trick of victories on the Laycock Racing 250cc TZ Yamaha. The Irishman will again be joined in the team by Ian Lougher.

Double TT winner Eddie Laycock has been fielding the immaculate Yamahas with Gerry Lawlor since 2015 with ten-time TT winner Lougher taking no less than three podiums at the Classic TT whilst other riders to campaign the machines include Dean Harrison, Michael Sweeney and Phil Harvey.

Lawlor has opted to take a step back this year but Laycock, victor of the 1987 Formula Two and 1989 Supersport 400cc TT’s, continues and with Browne and Lougher on board once more, the Dubliner will be aiming to continue the run of success.

Browne’s first ever 250cc outing came at the Manx in 2022 when he belied his lack of experience to defeat Lougher by almost 44s, lapping at 117.403mph.

It was an identical result twelve months ago when the 2023 race was stopped due to deteriorating conditions just as the leaders started their third lap, giving Browne the verdict that day by half a minute

After enjoying a superb TT in June, which saw him not only finish all seven solo races inside the top ten, but also take a second podium and join the ‘130mph Club’ for the first time with a best lap of 130.872mph in the Senior, Browne will more than fancy his chances of making it three wins in a row at the MGP.

Veteran team-mate Lougher, now 61, will no doubt have something to say about that as he continues to perform at the highest level whilst their expected opposition should come from, amongst others, Michael Dunlop, Lee Johnston, James Hind, Paul Jordan and Joey Thompson.

If you want to see Browne, Lougher, and the rest of the MGP entry take to the Mountain Course 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.