Suzuki and Manx National Heritage special summer exhibition
Suzuki and Manx National Heritage have teamed-up to launch a special summer exhibition, charting fifty years of success for the Japanese motorcycle giant at the Isle of Man TT races.
Featuring a unique mix of bikes, film footage, leathers and memorabilia, the summer-long exhibition charts the Japanese brand's success on the Isle of Man - the venue where Suzuki launched their International racing campaign in 1960.
Opening on May 29th, 'Legends of Suzuki' features an impressive line-up of exhibits from the stars, such as Bruce Anstey, Cameron Donald, Adrian Archibald, David Jefferies, Mick Grant, Graeme Crosby and Mike Hailwood.
Suzuki GB marketing manager, George Cheeseman, commented, "We are delighted to join forces with Manx National Heritage to put on this special exhibition during such a significant year in the history of Suzuki. With the help and hard work of the team at the Manx Museum, we are delighted to jointly bring together a fascinating mix of machines and memorabilia, that's sure to engage not just Suzuki fans but TT and general motorcycle enthusiasts too."
Matthew Richardson, Curator of Social History at Manx National Heritage added, “This has been an exciting exhibition to put together. We have worked with top riders from the past and the present to bring together a fantastic mix of memorabilia and memories. Whether it is the classic Suzuki machines of the 1960s which capture your interest, or Bruce Anstey’s Supersport TT wins of the last five years which you remember best, there will be something in this exhibition for you. We are particularly grateful to Suzuki GB and to Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing for the support which they have given to us in assembling this unique collection of artefacts.”
Also a 'first' for the Museum and Suzuki GB will be the launch of two special I-phone Applications. Available from the Apple App Store from next week, the 'Suzuki Legends' application features Suzuki's historical highlights at the TT, through images, video and Google Maps, while the 'Suzuki Legends Exhibition Guide' gives an accompanying audio commentary to the objects displayed in the exhibition, packed with additional facts and information for visitors.
Historic Suzuki machines on display include: The Suzuki T250 ridden to second place in the 1969 Lightweight TT by Frank Perris, the T500 ridden to victory in the 1970 Production TT by Frank Whiteway, the RG500 ridden to victory by Mike Hailwood in the 1979 Senior TT, plus David Jefferies 2002 GSX-R1000 and Bruce Anstey's 2007 Superstock GSX-R1000.
To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, Manx National Heritage will welcome special Suzuki guests to the Manx Museum on Tuesday 8th June, including the Relentless Suzuki by TAS race team with Cameron Donald and Bruce Anstey, as well as the first and only Japanese winner of the TT, Mitsuo Ito with teammate Frank Perris and Stuart Graham. On top of this, Radio TT will air their lunchtime show with Charlie Williams, live from the exhibition.
