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Releases 2007 » Frank Whiteway and Devitt reunite after
37 years for Isle of Man TT centenary
FRANK WHITEWAY AND
DEVITT REUNITE AFTER 37 YEARS FOR ISLE OF MAN TT CENTENARY
Romford, 9th May 2007 – In 1970 a youthful
Frank Whiteway won the Isle of Man TT on a Suzuki T500 for the Crooks-Suzuki
race team, which was then sponsored by insurance broker Devitt.
Some 37 years on, Whiteway, now aged 66, will once again be putting
on his leathers and riding the very same bike at this years’
TT to celebrate it’s 100 year anniversary.
To commemorate the centenary, the TT organisers have endeavoured
to bring together as many past winners as possible. A Lap of honour
for past competitors and bikes takes place on June 4 and the Parade
of Champions for past winners takes place on June 8. Both parades
allow the seasoned riders to complete a full lap of the TT circuit
on their race machines.
“In 1970 whilst riding the Eddie Crooks-Suzuki T500, I finally
achieved my lifelong ambition by cruising to a relatively easy win
in the 500cc Production Machine Race.” Said Whiteway. “Returning
there now, I am as excited about it as any youngster with his first
driving lesson – it just can’t come soon enough. I have
the Devitt-badged Suzuki T500 in my workshop and have been working
on it for the last six weeks to ensure that it will be perfect for
my
two parade laps around the famous and notorious Snaefel Mountain
circuit.”
Insurance broker Devitt’s sponsorship of the Crooks-Suzuki
race team began in 1969 and had a long and successful relationship
with them that ran until 1975. As part of the arrangement, the Devitt
logo was prominent on the fairings of the Crooks-Suzuki team machines.
 Up
until this sponsorship deal motorcycle racing riders and teams were
only permitted to display limited size stickers on the machine showing
the make of machine, the fuel, oil and make of tyres but no sponsor
advertising was allowed. However, Devitt and Crooks-Suzuki pushed
the barriers.
Whiteway added: “I can remember several times when comments
were made about the badges by race officials when the bikes were
put before them but somehow they allowed them to remain in place.
This put the Devitt/Crooks-Suzuki sponsorship partnership in a very
unique and trailblazing position.”
Devitt’s Managing Director, William Hughes, commented: “When
Frank approached us to gain our support for this event, 37 years
after he won the TT with Devitt as a sponsor, we felt we just had
to get involved. We are proud of the fact that Devitt were one of
the first pioneers of UK motorcycle-racing sponsorship and it is
great to see that after 37 years the Suzuki T500, Frank Whiteway
and Devitt are still going strong”.
The TT mountain circuit is one of the greatest challenges any racing
motorcyclist can take on - but it is not for the faint -hearted.
One lap of the course is 37.73 miles and takes racers through towns
and villages, wooded vales and up and over the rugged and bleak
Snaefel Mountain.
The circuit provides little protection for the unfortunate rider
who is unlucky enough to make even a tiny error of judgment. This
dangerous route has claimed over 200 lives in its history and all
riders know the risks. No-one is forced to race there but all come
for one reason and one reason alone, to pitch themselves against
one of the greatest pure road race circuits of them all, the TT
Mountain Circuit.
- ENDS -
For further information, please contact:
Chris Bottle
Head of Marketing
Devitt Insurance Services Limited
Tel: 01708 385959
Email: chris.bottle@devittinsurance.com
Web: www.devittinsurance.com
Notes to editors:
Devitt Insurance Services Limited is a specialist motorcycle insurance
broker, and is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Authorised
and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the business
grew from the success of Devitt DA, established in 1936, which revolutionised
the motorcycle insurance industry with the innovative idea of offering
customers instant insurance cover through the motorcycle dealer.
Devitt’s success has allowed it to expand into other areas
of Personal Lines insurance, including car and home insurance. Devitt
is also recognised for arranging insurance schemes for employee
groups, clubs, associations and other affinity groups.
Press Release Archive: 2007
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