Danny Webb replaces Cam Donald at Classic TT
Former GP Rider Danny Webb Replaces Cameron Donald in All Star Team Molnar Manx Classic TT Line Up
Team Molnar Manx will have one of the strongest line-ups on the grid at this month’s Classic TT presented by Bennetts with a four-rider line up set to contest a combination of the Bennetts 500cc Classic TT and Okells Brewery 350cc Classic TT Races.
Spearheading the line-up is 11-times TT winner Michael Dunlop who will be riding one of Andy Molnar’s special 4-valve 500cc Norton’s. The Ballymoney rider won the inaugural Formula One Classic TT race in 2013 but has yet to enjoy the same success in the 500cc counterpart.
He took seventh in 2013 and was set to finish two places higher twelve months ago before being forced to retire at the end of lap three. His fastest lap on the Manx Norton currently stands at 106.773mph though and he’ll be confident of going quicker on the 4-valve version.
Joining him in the team for a third consecutive year is this year’s TT Privateer’s Champion Dan Cooper and he’ll contest the 350cc Race in addition to the 500cc. The Stroud rider led last year’s Bennetts 500cc Classic TT Race until being overhauled by Ian Lougher but second place and a lap of 108.042mph shows he’ll be amongst the race favourites again this year.
The 27-year old will also be in action on Molnar’s 350cc Manx Norton and although he retired from last year’s race when lying fifth, he took third place for the team in the inaugural 2013 race. Having lapped in excess of 101mph, he’ll also be a potential race winner here.
Cameron Donald had been due to ride for the team as well, giving them three excellent chances of victory but, unfortunately, the Australian ace injured his hand in a recent spill whilst racing in Malaysia. However, the team has acted quickly to find a replacement and former 125cc and Moto 3 Grand Prix rider and current British Supersport Championship contender Danny Webb will now take part in the 500cc and 350cc Races.
The Tunbridge Wells rider made his TT debut in 2013, immediately lapping at more than 120mph and winning four replicas in the process. He returned this year and posted his first top ten finish with an excellent tenth in the Lightweight Race.
Completing the line-up for Team Molnar is veteran Scottish rider Wattie Brown who’ll ride a traditional two-valve Manx Norton in the Bennett’s 500cc Classic TT. The Stirling rider has taken no less than seven podiums in the Classic Manx Grand Prix and is sure to acquit himself around the Mountain Course once more.
Speaking about his team’s chances, Team Owner Andy Molnar commented –Â “We are particularly pleased to be able to give young Danny Webb a ride on our bikes, as I see it as being critically important to the future of the Classic TT to bring in new blood both for riders and entrants. I watched Danny’s exploits on the world stage with interest and always said that as soon as he had finished messing about there we would get him on our bikes! I believe that riding the Classics will give him a good chance to improve his circuit knowledge and develop as a TT rider.”
