Davey Todd will join the Milwaukee BMW team for the 2024 Isle of Man TT, racing the Northern Irish team’s bikes in the 1000cc races.
The deal will also see Todd compete with the TAS Racing squad, which runs the Milwaukee-backed M1000RR at the Isle of Man TT, for the remainder of 2023.
Credit: North West 200/Pacemaker Press.
But, the main attention is on the 2024 Isle of Man TT (the dates for which have been announced), when Todd will attempt to get himself back on a TT podium after missing out in 2023, his second year with Milenco by Padgett’s Motorcycles and their Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Davey Todd said: “This is a massive opportunity for me and I really can’t wait to get started! Peter [Hickman] has shown how strong the BMW package is around the TT. Obviously he’s the man to beat, but he was regularly hitting over 200mph through the speed trap and the bike was staying rock solid and stable, which is exactly what you need to get the best lap times around there.
“It’s great that we can get started before the end of this season as the switch from Honda is quite a big one to adjust to, and there’s also going to be some other really cool opportunities for me ahead of the TT, too, so it’s all a properly exciting time for me.
“I want to say a big thanks to Philip, Hector, and the whole team for bringing me on board, and also to say another big thanks to Clive [Padgett] for the last few years and his continued support.”
The move for Todd also opens up other opportunities. Last year’s National Superstock Champion will to compete in the final two rounds (having competed in the first two rounds earlier this year with Padgett’s) of the British Superbike Championship (at Donington Park and Brands Hatch) with the TAS Racing squad, and is also set to make an appearance for the factory BMW Endurance World Championship team before the end of the year. It is not certain whether this will be at the Bol d’Or next month (the only round of the EWC remaining this season) or just in a test.
For the Milwaukee BMW Motorrad team, 2023 was the first TT in which they did not compete in 23 years due to the revocation of Iain Hutchinson’s racing licence by the ACU due to a stroke suffered in the beginning of 2023.
About the signing of Todd, Philip Neill, Milwaukee BMW Motorrad Team Principal, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Davey into the team. I don’t think we’re alone in saying we’ve had our eye on him since his very impressive first TT, so we’re thrilled to have him on board. He’s clearly a very talented racer and we know that we can put him on bikes capable of showcasing that talent.”