500cc Suter enters Isle of Man TT!
Suter's new 500GP inspired two-stroke racer has been given special permission to compete in this year's Isle of Man TT!
The MMX 500 was unveiled in September as a solution to the dwindling supply of parts for the original 500GP machines competing in events such as last year's inaugural 'World GP Bike Legends', attended by the likes of Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner and Freddie Spencer.
However Eskil Suter's ambitions extend well beyond 'classic' racing and the bike will now go head-to-head with modern Superbike machinery in June's Superbike and Senior TT races, where rules allow four-strokes of up to 1200cc.
Suter is believed to be negotiating with two high-profile British riders and the first confirmed signing is expected shortly.
"We are currently negotiating with two former TT winners who know the track off by heart," confirmed Suter's marketing director Philippe Soutter. "We want an experienced rider, best would be an old TT-warhorse."
Announced last September under the tagline 'The Beast Is Back', 99 of the limited edition Suters are planned for production, each with a price tag of 120,000 euros.
The machines are powered by a 576cc V4 engine ("We were so anxious that we ended up having a displacement of 576ccm... Who could blame us?") producing 195hp for a weight of 127kg and estimated top speed of 310km/h (193mph). The bike also boasts electronic fuel injection and a counter-rotating crankshaft.
"We have a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio. It's like a bicycle with rocket propulsion," said Eskil Suter, who is also planning a road version of the MMX 500 in the near future. "And that's why we what the MMX 500 to enter the toughest road race in the world. For us this is the perfect testing ground."
Whether Suter will run the MMX 500 TT project in-house or join with an existing race team is still under discussion, Crash.net was told.
Suter Racing Technology began its association with grand prix two-strokes in the late 1990s, being 'deeply involved' in the Swissauto 500/MuZ that took two pole positions for Jurgen van den Goorbergh.
The company then went on to work with the likes of Foggy Petronas (WSBK), Kawasaki (MotoGP) and Ilmor (MotoGP) before winning three constructors' titles under its own name in the Moto2 category. Suter is rumoured to be working with Ducati on its 2016 MotoGP machine.
The fearsome 37.73-mile Isle of Man TT circuit formed part of the motorcycle grand prix calendar until 1976, with the 500cc two-stroke class replaced by four-stroke 'MotoGP' rules in 2002.
Suter also plans to enter the 2017 Pikes Peak Hill Climb in the USA - using a turbocharged engine!
"We are pleased to introduce our little beast to fans around the world on some very special race tracks," Suter said.
