Seventeen-time TT Race-winner Dave Molyneux has teamed up with newcomer passenger Harry Payne for his 2017 Isle of Man TT Races campaign.
Payne, 24, from Colchester, has moved to the Isle of Man to prepare for his TT debut in the two sidecar races.
Payne’s career began in sidecar motocross before switching to road racing in the BEMSEE championship. He impressed at Oliver’s Mount this year at the Spring Cup and Cock of The North meetings, as passenger to Dave Wallis and has also competed in the British Championship, partnering last year’s TT runner up Alan Founds to second place finish in the F2 British Championship round at Brands Hatch, narrowly outside Dave Molyneux’s 2015 lap record.
Molyneux’s record-breaking TT career began in 1985 with his first win coming in 1989 and his most recent in 2014. His career included double race wins in 1993, 1996, 2004, the centenary TT meeting in 2007 and again in 2012. In 2017 the Birchall Brothers beat his outright lap record of 116.875, which was set in 2015.
Commenting on his new teammate, Dave Molyneux said:
“Harry is mad keen to do the TT. He’s the right build, the right weight and, for a passenger, the right age. It’s very physical on the Mountain Course these days, especially for a passenger.”
He continued:
“I’ve been really impressed with Harry’s commitment and that’s why I wanted to race with him. He’s already proved he’s incredibly dedicated to preparing for the TT and I have no doubt that despite being a newcomer he will be ready to race.”
Harry Payne said:
“I was all set to race last year before my plans fell through which was really disappointing but I’ve now been given an incredible opportunity with the best driver in the paddock. It will be a real honour for me and I’m determined to make the most of it and be as prepared as I possibly can for next year’s TT.”
The team will shortly begin an extensive testing programme at Jurby and have a number of race meetings planned for 2017 including the first two British Championship rounds.
The DMR outfit will be powered by Yamaha with backing from a number of Isle of Man based businesses including A&J Groundworks, Beaumanx Productions, Andreas Meat Co, Full Factory Menswear, CBG, Silkolene and Evo Moto with notable support from the Isle of Man Yamaha dealer Road and Track. It will be the first time since 1996 that Molyneux has used Yamaha engines.
