Dean Harrison and Lee Johnston, two of road racing's hottest prospects, will line up together at this year's Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts for Black Eagle Racing. The 'dream team' will see the 25-year olds on board fabulously exotic MV Agusta 3 and 4 cylinder machines.
Johnston, 2012 TT Privateer's Champion, had his first taste of classic action at the corresponding event last year and made an instant impact, breaking both the lap and race records in the Okells 350cc Classic TT Race. The Northern Irishman, now based in Hull, shattered the lap record last August with a stunning lap of 105.239mph and eventually won by a commanding 45 seconds to take his first win on the Mountain Course. He'll line up on the same three cylinder machine this year and will also campaign the team's 3-cylinder MV Agusta in the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race.
Harrison was due to ride for David and Mark Kay's team at last year's event only for an injury sustained at the Ulster Grand Prix ruling him out. Winner of the 2014 Bikesocial.co.uk Lightweight TT, the Bradford rider - who will be Yamaha's official entrant on the roads in 2015 with Mar-Train Racing - has already tasted victory in the Classic TT though, winning the inaugural Formula Classic Race in 2013. Harrison will also campaign a three cylinder MV Agusta in the 500cc Race but will be on board the team's exotic four cylinder 'fire engine' in the 350cc event.
The talented line up will give Classic racing specialists Black Eagle Racing, a terrific chance of success in both races and further emphasises their commitment and desire to succeed at the Classic TT, again their prime focus in 2015.
Speaking about the Classic TT, Dean Harrison commented:
"I was gutted to miss out on last year's Classic TT so I am delighted to have been offered the chance to ride these amazing MV Agusta's again in 2015. They are incredible pieces of engineering and it still seems strange that David and Mark (Kay) are willing to give them to guys like Lee and I to thrash around the Isle of Man!"
Dean's team mate for the Classic TT, Lee Johnston added:
"Winning the 350cc Race last year was a real highlight for me and I was delighted for the guys in the Black Eagle team who put so much time, money and effort into making it all happen. Getting to ride the 500cc bike as well is something I am really excited about and hopefully we can go back to the Isle of Man in August and pick up some more silverware."
Commenting on his team's line up, Black Eagle Racing Team Manager Mark Kay said:
"As a team, we went through every emotion last year at the Classic TT which ended on a real high when Lee took victory in the 350cc Race for us breaking the lap and race records. We have not taken our feet off the gas since to make sure that both the 350's and 500's are in the best possible shape for the 2015 event and with the rider line up we have been able to secure, we expect to be a force to be reckoned with in both of the races."
