A RETURN FOR KEY RACING
Fresh from their strong year twelve months ago when they led the RST Classic Superbike race in the early stages, Key Racing Ducati will return to the Manx Grand Prix later this year.
Instead of Dean Harrison who piloted their last outing, or Andrea Majola and Mike Mace who raced at the team’s debut year at the 2022 MGP, it will be Mike Browne who’ll be on board the immaculate 916cc V-twin Ducati, similar to the one made famous three decades ago by Carl Fogarty.
Fogarty took the bike to the 1994 World Superbike Championship in its inaugural year and Browne will be aiming to give the Italian machine success around the Mountain Course and better the exploits of Harrison last year.
Having lapped at an impressive 125.597mph during practice week, the now Laxey-based rider led the four-lap race Classic Superbike race with an opening lap of 124.767mph.
Although he was forced to retire at Brandywell on the second lap, Harrison gave a firm indicator of the bike’s capabilities.
With Harrison on British Superbike Championship duty for Honda Racing at Cadwell Park, Ducati specialists Key Racing have subsequently chosen Browne to pilot the machine in the race which is set to place on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Until recently, Browne hadn’t rode the Ducati nor had experience on a V-Twin but so far, has done a few laps on the Ducati at Donington, with the team scheduled for more ahead of the Manx.
This should prove no barrier to the Irishman who joined the ‘130mph Club’ at this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, recording a best lap of 130.872mph in the Senior TT race.
Indeed, previous outings at the Manx Grand Prix have seen him win the Lightweight race first time out on a 250cc two-stroke and finish on the podium during his debut in the Carole Nash Classic Senior race so he’ll no doubt be relishing the opportunity to ride the iconic Ducati around the 37 and ¾-mile Mountain Course.
If you want to see Mike Browne 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.
