Five years later he was back to winning ways at the TT, winning back-to-back trebles in 2015 and 2016. A pair of wins in 2017 kicked off race week in style, before a crash at 130mph at the 27th Milestone in the Senior TT caused Hutchinson to re-break his left femur, and resulted in his left ankle being removed.
A statement from TAS Racing said that Hutchinson had already made a ‘remarkable’ recovery and had been cleared to drive his car, but protocols within the sport mean that the ‘Bingley Bullet’ must sit on the side-lines for the next 12 months. He shall still be in attendance at both the TT and the North West 200 to represent both the team and its sponsors.
“First and foremost our concerns are with Ian and we look forward to supporting him on his road to making a full recovery,” said TAS Racing team principal Philip Neill. “Clearly we are disappointed to miss our first Isle of Man TT in 23 years, aside from the Covid years of course. Everything was in place for this year’s event together with Milwaukee and our other valued partners. We now look forward to finalising our plans for the North West 200 and another British Superbike season.”
While TAS Racing will not compete at the TT this year, it will still compete at the North West 200 in May – following the event’s recent reinstatement – with Alastair Seeley. The Carrickfergus rider is the most successful competitor in North West 200 history, holding an impressive 27 wins around the 8.9-mile Triangle Circuit, and will also wear TAS Racing colours once again in the British Superbike paddock, competing in the National Superstock 1000 Championship.
Images courtesy of IOMTT.