think what smithy means is the new 600 is an unknown quantity and its hard to compete with the japanese there was a program a few years ago about the norton where the chief designer/engineer I cant remember which said they could have developed new models at the same rate as the likes of honda only for their budget

What Sam says.

This bike is a 588 but it is tuned up to 1000cc and will not be featured in the 600 races Michael will be spending most weekends from now to the run up to the TT at Donnington park and in the workshop with the Norton boys developing the bike there seems to be no shortage of funds when it comes to the development of the bike and the Norton team have given Michael 100% backing and I hope the fans can do the same, he has given us one of the most memorable races in history and I think he is more than capable of doing it again

The best of luck to him and the team and I hope to see them silencing some of their critics

pipzxc wrote:

QUOTE:
This bike is a 588 but it is tuned up to 1000cc and will not be featured in the 600 races Michael will be spending most weekends from now to the run up to the TT at Donnington park and in the workshop with the Norton boys developing the bike there seems to be no shortage of funds when it comes to the development of the bike and the Norton team have given Michael 100% backing and I hope the fans can do the same, he has given us one of the most memorable races in history and I think he is more than capable of doing it again

The best of luck to him and the team and I hope to see them silencing some of their critics

Well said Pip!!!
Let the kid follow his dreams and stop knocking him.

All the very best to Michael and the Norton Team with their plans for 2009.

Hope to see some good results/podium finishes in 09 and a real challenge in 2010.

Forgot to say Michael signed a one year deal with an option to stay on for three so plenty of time to make the most of this opportunity

Sounds like he is going to get a lot of experience on the technical side working on the development of a bike. That knowledge can only make him a better all rounder in the years to come.
Does anybody know if he will be riding the bike in Irish road races? If he isn't I guess he will be on a proven product that will allow him to run at or near the front on the domestic scene but this Norton job is all positive for him, both profile wise and gaining experience.
If he stays injury free he has all the time in the world to add to his international wins.
All the best Michael, go for it.

Well i hope he does very well. The negative brigade shouldnt say he wont do well as is in that what the said would happen HISLOP???????????
look how that turned out.
Anyway best wishes to him for the upcoming year. Looking forward to it immensely.

Lenny wrote:

QUOTE:
Well i hope he does very well. The negative brigade shouldnt say he wont do well as is in that what the said would happen HISLOP???????????
look how that turned out.
Anyway best wishes to him for the upcoming year. Looking forward to it immensely.

Well said. It has to be said and some appear to have forgotten this We are in a serious recession and rides are just not available, with the publicity available and with the other rides he has his profile will stay high and he is still available for other opportunities.

billyblade wrote:

QUOTE:
pipzxc wrote:

QUOTE:
This bike is a 588 but it is tuned up to 1000cc and will not be featured in the 600 races Michael will be spending most weekends from now to the run up to the TT at Donnington park and in the workshop with the Norton boys developing the bike there seems to be no shortage of funds when it comes to the development of the bike and the Norton team have given Michael 100% backing and I hope the fans can do the same, he has given us one of the most memorable races in history and I think he is more than capable of doing it again

The best of luck to him and the team and I hope to see them silencing some of their critics

Well said Pip!!!
Let the kid follow his dreams and stop knocking him.

Who is knocking Michael ???