Michael Rutter

Michael Rutter has been attending the Isle of Man TT Races from the moment he was born. Accompanying his dad Tony, who first tasted success at the event in 1973 when he won the Junior race with six further victories between then and 1984. It was inevitable Michael would follow in his footsteps having spent all his formative years in the paddock, not just at the UK circuits but many abroad too.

Despite Tony suffering serious injuries at Montjuich Park, Spain in 1985, which ended his career at the sharp end of the results sheets, he competed on the Island until 1991 and just three years later Michael made his TT debut when aged 22.

Tony helped nurture Michael’s career with four-time TT podium finisher Roger Marshall also on hand in that debut year. A good 17th place was taken on the unfamiliar Medd Honda RC45 in the Formula One race but with team-mate Robert Dunlop crashing after the rear wheel collapsed, it was the only race he contested.

Returning every year until 2000, Michael rapidly shot up the leaderboard with his first podium coming in 1996 and his first win two years later. His short circuit aspirations were ever-increasing though and after a year in the 500cc World Championship as well, the British Superbike Championship took precedence for the years ahead.

However, road racing was in the blood and Michael made his TT return in 2007 although the large number of years missed has meant he’s been playing catch-up to his rivals ever since. Nevertheless, success has continued particularly in the TT Zero class, where he was a winner on no less than five occasions, and in the Lightweight where he was victorious in 2017. He’s also won races at the Classic TT whilst the exotic RC213V-S he rode in 2019 grabbed considerable attention.

Combining racing with team management, Rutter celebrated 30 years of racing and 25 years of competing at the TT in 2019 and he’s now realistic in his ambitions. He knows he’s not going to be challenging for the race wins, in the 1000cc races at least, but he goes out and does what he does best, which means top ten finishes and 130mh+ laps and this is exactly what he achieved at TT2023.

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Michael’s a great rider, has a great style and has had a great career spanning 30 years, which is testament to his professionalism and dedication. The TT has been a passion for a long time, and he must be admired for returning to the event after spending several years away pursuing the BSB title. Seven years away is a long time away and maybe cost him more wins but he’s still achieved plenty at the TT.