Ian Mackman is to tie in with a new team for this year’s premier International Road Race – the Isle of Man TT. Team Hairy Snid will provide Ian with a Kawasaki ZX-6R and he will contest the Supersport class under their banner.

Team Hairy Snid is a collective of road racing fans who, with a motto of ‘Bikes, Beer, Craic!’, have been attending events for a quarter of a century. The Team was founded at the TT in 1988 and have made themselves an increasingly visible presence at the Festival each year, with sticker campaigns of epic proportions!

The philosophy has evolved and although the consumption of ‘black soup’ remains at record levels, the Team have developed a desire to support road racing by providing financial assistance to riders and associated organisations. The Team’s distinctive logo has already appeared on a number of race bikes and now also features on a range of merchandise – the proceeds from sales of which are ploughed directly back into the sport.

Ian explains how the collaboration came about:

‘Team Hairy Snid approached me at the TT last year to ask if I would run their decals on my bike. They were in the early stages of starting up a venture to support road racing charities and I was happy to help… fast forward to November when the team contacted me with some ideas to promote their now established venture. They have provided me with a Kawasaki ZX-6R prepared by Kev Spur of KS Performance. The bike is carrying the Brand Hairy Snid logo to raise awareness of the amusing merchandise that they produce and sell to then put money back into road racing and related charities. I’m really gratefully for the support of the Team and see the Supersport class as a good opportunity to get them into the spotlight’.

Ian’s success and experience over the Mountain Course coupled with the enthusiasm and exuberance of Team Hairy Snid should make for an entertaining and successful campaign and a Team spokesman explained how they have high hopes for a TT with special resonance for them:

‘What better way to celebrate our 25th Isle of Man TT Tour than entering a bike?! We wanted to return the favour Ian did for us last year in carrying our Hairy Snid logo by sorting him a Supersport ride to complement the ZX-10R he runs with Kemtile Hygienic Solutions. He has improved year on year at the TT, despite being a privateer with under powered machinery compared to his rivals. With the new Team Hairy Snid Racing ZX-6R we hope to help him make the next step up the top ten placings after his 9th place best last year’.

Team Hairy Snid has secured support from roadracingsupporters.com, SB-Fotosport and Lancaster Brewery. The latter will play host to a Pre-TT Fundraising Evening on 18th May with monies raised benefitting the Rob Vine Fund and supporting Ian’s racing. This will be a great opportunity to meet Ian and the Team and see the new bike. Full details can be found at teamhairysnid.com.

The Team will be officially launched at the A Question of SporTT ‘Moz vs Mackers’ fundraiser night on Saturday 31st March. Full details at roadracingsupporters.com You can also get involved with Team Hairy Snid by following them on twitter @teamhairysnid, liking their facebook page or purchasing from their quality range of merchandise at mugs4u.com.

Just don’t ask what a Snid is!!

Posted: March 30, 2012 by Jude Freckelton — Posted: March 30, 2012 by **Jude Freckelton**

New Supersport Team Announced for TT Privateer Champion Ian Mackman