The Isle of Man TT Races conjure up all sorts of imaginations for many people, but to ten New Zealand motorcycle racers, it's their major challenge for 1998.

Former New Zealander John Shand, now living in Sweden has assembled a team of 21 riders from various countries, including 10 from New Zealand, into the "John Shand Racing of Sweden" Team - the largest ever single International Team of riders to compete in the Isle of Man TT Races.

The TT takes place on the 52 Km Mountain Circuit during the second week of June annually, which it has done since nearly the turn of the century. As part of the giant Honda Motor Co. celebrations for 50 years of motorcycle production, Honda Great Britain has made available 30 Production motorcycles to compete in the very place where Honda won its very first major International race - the Isle of Man TT.

The Honda attempt to win the coveted Maudes Trophy - last won by a team of 10 New Zealand riders on Yamaha 600's back in 1994, has been postponed until 1999 as the massive logistics of monitoring the performance of 32 motorcycles became just too much.

But one door closing meant another door opening as now the New Zealand riders will be able to upgrade their Honda Sanyo UK bikes from standard production to full HRC race kit, as used successfully in the British Championship & World Supersport 600 Series.

In addition to this the cylinder heads will be "worked over" , special racing exhaust systems & racing shock absorbers fitted front & rear - a major difference on this challenging, bumpy closed public road 60 Km, 200 corner circuit.

The John Shand Racing Team will be sponsored by Honda GB and Ockells Brewery, plus major assistance from the Isle of Man Tourist Board, Isle of Man Police - who are running in the riders bikes prior to their arrival, and many other local people.

Greenlight TV, on behalf of SKY & Eurosport will cover the event, as well as of course Manx radio, based at the JSR Team HQ! The old bus station & Manx Telecom building have been made available to the Honda riders to the Isle of Man - now comprising 60 bikes including the famous or infamous multi time TT winner Joey Dunlop, Jason Griffiths & Phil McCallen who between them have won 32 TT races! Honda have charted a ferry to move their motorcycle and cars from the English mainland to the Isle of Man. The shipment includes 30 cars for VIP's & 40 motorcycles for press & guest testing!

First practice on the difficult & challenging circuit is on June 1st followed at 5am daily for the week. The fastest 80 qualifiers regardless of solo class also qualify to ride in the Senior TT - always an ambition of riders who take on this enormous challenge.

Programme of TT Races in the Isle of Man is -

Sat. 6th June : Formula 1 & Sidecar A Grade

Monday 8th June : Lightweight & Sidecar B Grade

Wednesday 10th June : Ultra Lightweight (125GP bikes), Junior TT - only 600cc Production & 600cc Super Sport bikes - the race where all the John Shand Racing Team will compete.

Friday 12th June : Production over 701cc class bikes & the Senior TT (for fastest 80 riders from practice qualifying.

Doug Bell From Dunedin, will ride Honda CBR600 LTD and VFR800F1 will ride Production, Junior & Senior TT Races. Doug, a draughtsman, races motorcycles in the Isle of Man for the sheer excitement of the "TT atmosphere" and has ridden there in 1994, '96 & '97, with an ambition this year to lift his lap time from 105 mph to 110 mph. He is an absolutely dedicated motorcyclist.

Paul Williams (29), formerly from Mosgiel near Dunedin, now living in Akashi, Japan, is an A Grade automotive engineer and has ridden the Isle of Man 3 times before - 1994 on a Yamaha FZR600 (as a member of the Maudes Trophy winning team), in 1996 on a Honda RS125 GP bike & Honda VFR400, then in 1997 on a Honda VTR1000. He loves fast bikes & fast cars.

This year he'll ride 4 different races - Junior, Lightweight, Production & Senior TT on Hondas CBR600F LTD (avery trick one too), CBR900RR & RVF400.

Stu Murdoch, of Dunedin will ride both Junior & Senior TT races on Honda CBR600F LTD

Nathan Spargo (33) of Wellington, an electronics instrumentation technician, has been an NZ Formula 3 Champion twice, has ridden the Isle of Man TT races previously in 1994, '96 & '97. In 1997 he placed 28th in the Formula 1 TT riding a Honda VTR1000 & in 1998 will ride Production, Junior & Senior TT races on Honda CBR600F LTD & VFR800F1.

Jeff Latimer, a 29 year old Project Manager from Wellington, lives & loves for his motorcycle racing, will ride Production, Junior & Senior TT Races on Hondas CBR600F LTD in the Junior TT, & Honda CBR900RR in the Production over 701cc TT on the Friday 12th June race. Well into sport, Jeff has a strict training regime in place.

Hugh Reynolds, a 30 year old engineer (B.E. Mechanical) from Christchurch will ride 4 races - the Lightweight, Junior, Production & Senior TT on Hondas CBR600F LTD & VFR800F1. Hugh has ridden the Isle of Man TT races twice before, first in 1994 & then again last year when he won a Bronze Replica in the Lightweight Race, with a best lap of 111 mph. In NZ he currently races a Yamaha TZ250 & Ducati 600. Hugh is sponsored by Motorcycling Canterbury & Honda UK. Like all the other riders keeping fit is a must with running & mountain biking his hobbies.

Blair Degerholm originally from Wellington, but now living in Europe, will ride Junior, Production & Senior TT on Hondas CBR600F & CBR900RR

Warren Turner, a 30 year old Cellular Radio Technician with Telecom, from Palmerston North riding his second TT will contest Junior & Senior TT's on Honda CBR600F.

He placed 48th overall in his first ever Isle of Man race in 1997, as well as having a very successful New Zealand 1997/8 season finishing 4th in the NZ National Formula 2 class, 5th overall "Battle of Streets", King of Manfeild 1997.

Well into his training schedule he keeps fit with squash, netball & cricket

His sponsors are Arai Helmets, Shell NZ, Oxbow Clothing, John Shand Racing & the local Manawatu-Orion Motorcycle Club.

Warren has an ambition to ride other major events around the world such as Daytona, Le Mans 24 hour race, and major Australian road races.

Paul McQuilkin (32) a spray painter from Palmerston North will ride just the Junior TT on a Honda CBR600F. He has experience in "Battle of the Streets" in the 250 production Class, as well as a shared 4th place in the 1997 3 Hour endurance race at Manfeild. He & Warren Turner paired up to win the 250 Production class of the 1996 2 hour Endurance race at Manfeild.

Brett Richmond (32) from Te Awamutu will also ride just the Junior TT on a Honda CBR600F.

However he has a long pedigree of motorcycle racing success behind him already especially with Harley-Davidson "Super Twins" 883cc. He won the #1 plate for New Zealand in 1996/7 season, and #2 plate for 1997/8, as well as considerable experience with 600cc & Open Sports Production bikes, and 250cc Production before that.

With an ambition to eventually become a professional rider, Brett will be making his best effort at the Isle of Man TT races to impress himself & likely backers to further his career.