Midlands based Bathams Prizewinning Ales rider Michael Rutter has a hectic schedule over the forthcoming week.  Drafted in to ride for Ripley Land on their G50 Matchless at the eleventh hour, Rutter headed over to the Isle of Man Classic TT today literally minutes ahead of last night’s first practice.
 
The week’s events will see Rutter ride at the annual Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling and then head back to Louth on the mainland in time to qualify for next Monday’s British Superbike Championship at Cadwell Park.
 
The decision to race at this years Classic TT was an easy one for Rutter who said; “It’s great to be able to take part in this years Classic Manx, I’ve wanted to do it for some time so to be able to get the ok from my sponsors, team and BSB organisers is brilliant.  I only knew I was coming over a couple of hours before my plane was due to leave earlier so it’s been mad, but it’s great to be back on the Isle of Man again and I’ve just had a sit on the Matchless - it feels and looks great.  I’m really looking forward to the week ahead”.
 
Bathams rider Rutter was an obvious choice for Ripley Land, who’s rider Dan Kneen was injured at the Ulster GP in Ireland last week. Team owner Ian Garbutt said; “After having to originally replace an injured Cameron Donald with Dan Kneen, we were then in the situation that we needed to replace Dan after last weeks crash - to have secured Michael to ride for us means we’ve come up smelling of roses”!
 
Rutter will compete in Saturday’s Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race before heading to round eight of the British Superbike Championship on bank holiday Monday.
 
Classic TT schedule and event info can be found here: http://www.iomtt.com/Classic-TT/Classic-TT-Schedule.aspx
 
Live timing can be found here: http://ttlive.iomtt.com