Credit Crunch Ruins Pearson T.T. Debut

Former Irish Superbike Champion Michael Pearson will not make his debut at T.T. 2009.

A lack of sponsorship has forced him to change his race schedule for the new season.

However, Pearson will be seen racing in the Isle of Man this year at the Southern 100 at Billown in July.

His Manager Willis Marshall has told Manx Radio the cost of doing the T.T. would be equal to the amount for a full season of racing in the Irish Championships.....the money isn't there to do both.

Motorsport is being hit hard by the global economic downturn. Kawasaki has pulled out of MotoGP and the World Endurance Championship, which has also lost Suzuki. Suzuki and Subaru have left the World Rally Championship, and Honda has withdrawn from Formula One and the American Superbike Championship.