Norton to contest 2012 Isle of Man TT

"It is a huge honour to be riding a Norton at the Isle of Man TT Races, following such iconic names in competing on the Mountain Course," Mackman said. "It will be an incredible experience and I'm confident that we can do justice to this legendary company."

The bike that Mackman will campaign features a Spondon chassis with Ohlins suspension front and back, Brembo brakes and an Aprilia RSV V4 engine. The bike has been built solely within the factory at Donington Park, with many of the parts - from wheel spindles through to throttle bodies - built within the CNC machine facility in the Norton factory.

All the styling and bodywork has also been completed at the factory, and the team will operate with their traditional, Manx-style polished aluminium tank. Active Technologies Limited are providing the new bike's fuelling system and electronic package.

The Midlands-based outfit originally made a low-key comeback to the TT in 2009, just months after Stuart Garner of Norton Racing acquired the rights to the brand. Although the team secured Michael Dunlop to ride their NRV588, they didn't qualify for the Senior Race. However, it's anticipated that the new V4 bike will be more suited to the rigours of the Mountain Course and give the team a great chance of having a British rider contest the Blue Riband Senior race on a Norton for the first time since 1992.

That race, twenty years ago, voted the greatest of all time in a recent fan survey in the UK, will be remembered for Steve Hislop giving Norton a fairytale win after a titanic battle with Carl Fogarty with the outright lap record being broken by both riders. The result was Norton's first TT win since 1961 and their 43rd in total.

Stuart Garner has conceded that victory is unlikely in the first year, but believes that the team has put in some good preparation and will arrive on the Isle of Man with a competitive machine:
"After our experience in 2009 I vowed that we would only return to the Isle of Man when we were ready. This is a long-term project and I am confident that we can have a strong first year and add to Norton's history around the Mountain Course as well as building a strong team to take the brand back to its rightful place at the front of the field. Everyone in the factory is committed to achieving a competitive bike. Norton team is looking forward to getting to the Isle of Man and providing some excitement and fun for the TT crowd."

The 2012 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy festival runs from May 26 to June 8. For further details on the 105th Isle of Man TT event, go to www.iomtt.com