James McBride gains Green support in the TT Zero race

• Jun. 3 by Bianca Eglinton (0)

James McBride, 34 from Kettering, East Midlands, has gained backing from The Green Insurance Company in the TT Zero race at this year’s Isle of Man event.

McBride, is an international road-race star and is one of the UK’s most experienced racers, having taken part in the North West 200, Ulster GP, Macau GP and numerous classes in the Isle of Man TT races.

This latest race, however, puts McBride in lesser know territory. As a rider of a traditional 1000cc motorbike, which weighs around 165 kilos and produces up to 200 brake horsepower, McBride must now get used to an electric motorbike for the clean-emission TT Zero race. McBride comments:

“On my 1000cc bike we’ve been speed-trapped at 185-190mph down Sulby Straight – the fastest part of the TT course. With the electric bike in comparison, we have around 40 brake horsepower and a top speed of around 112mph. Riding it is very different as we only have one gear.

“It’s also different for the spectators, who are used to the sound of an engine at high-revs and with a loud exhaust to give maximum performance. Instead, there’s a quiet, laid-back ‘whizz’ of just the chain and the noise from the tyres!”

So it seems that the electric motorbikes don’t just cut down on carbon emissions, but also noise pollution. The one-lap TT Zero race will take place on Wednesday 9 June at 4:30pm.

Tony Way, Managing Director of The Green Insurance Company says:

“The link-up between James, the team, TT Zero and The Green Insurance Company is a marriage made in heaven. The Green Insurance Company is for motorcyclists and drivers who want more than just low-cost insurance and we’re committed to supporting eco-friendly racing in every way we can.”

The Green Insurance Company is available to customers directly or through Birmingham based broker Express Insurance Services Limited.