Hutchinson and Brookes to race 2014 IOMTT

BOTH Milwaukee Yamaha riders, Ian Hutchinson and Josh Brookes, will now compete at the Isle of Man TT in June this year after much uncertainty due to rule changes. 

A disagreement between Shaun Muir's Milwaukee Yamaha team and TT officials saw title sponsors Milwaukee Power Tools part company with Shaun Muir's TT team after new rules regarding electronics implemented for 2014 would mean the Yamaha would no longer be competitive. 

Since then, an agreement has been made, Milwaukee have reinstated their sponsorship and the team will use their MCE British Superbike-spec Motec ECU as the new regulations do not allow the Magneti Marelli system that SMR used on their road YZF-R1 Superbikes in previous years.

An official statement has been released by Milwaukee: "After much deliberation Milwaukee Power Tools – title sponsor to SMR Racing in the British Superbike Championship and international road racing arena – is happy to support Shaun and his team at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

"Despite well-publicised feelings on the technical rule changes in the Superbike class, Milwaukee feel that both the team and their high-profile riders, Josh Brookes and Ian Hutchinson, deserve the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of their global TT fan base."

The Milwaukee Yamaha team still believe there will be a major disadvantage when compared to other teams such as Honda who benefit from running their own kit ECU's - which are more advanced than Yamaha's - allowing them to complete consistent 131mph laps which Milwaukee think they will not be unable to do.  

Brookes said: "Last week I was happy to find out that I'd be riding a specially built R6 Milwaukee Yamaha at the North West 200, but the TT is the big one for me in terms of road racing, so I'm delighted Milwaukee is now back onboard."