RC Express Racing, three-time winners of the Isle of Man TT, have renewed their partnership with Dafabet for an additional two years, marking a decade of collaboration by 2026. The partnership has evolved into one of the longest sponsorships in road racing, marked by numerous achievements for both the riders and the team.
Dafabet became associated with the Bristol-based team in 2017, featuring Ivan Lintin and Steve Mercer as riders. That year, Lintin secured a fourth-place finish in the Lightweight TT, a race he had previously won twice for the team following Dean Harrison’s victory in 2014, along with triumphs at the Ulster Grand Prix and a podium finish at the North West 200. In 2018, Lintin achieved four top ten finishes at the TT, including an eighth-place finish in the Superbike race, while also recording a personal best lap of 129.185mph in the Superstock race.
He demonstrated strong potential in the Lightweight TT before retiring on lap two, although he set a remarkable sector record from Ramsey to the Bungalow that remains unbroken. Later that year, a serious accident at the Southern 100 concluded Lintin’s racing career, but RC Express rebounded in 2019 with Paul Jordan winning the Supertwin race at the Ulster Grand Prix and achieving commendable results at both the TT and North West 200.
Following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over two seasons, the team made a comeback with emerging talent Rob Hodson, who recorded five top 15 finishes at the TT in 2022, including a sixth-place finish in the Supertwins, along with a victory at the Southern 100. In 2023, after Gary Johnson sustained injuries at the Horice road races in the Czech Republic, the team enlisted double British Superbike champion Josh Brookes, who performed admirably, finishing third and fifth in the Supertwin races.
As the team looks forward to 2025, it is embarking on a new phase by transitioning to Honda for their 1000cc campaign and signing local talent Michael Evans, with high expectations for an exhilarating season ahead.
Ben Constable, Co-Owner of Dafabet Racing, expressed: ‘We are immensely pleased to continue our partnership with Dafabet. This collaboration has been fundamental to our team over the past eight years, and extending it through 2026 is a true reflection of the trust and success we have cultivated together.
We are embarking on an exhilarating new chapter characterized by the introduction of fresh talent and advanced machinery. The support of Dafabet enhances our confidence as we strive to progress and set higher goals. We eagerly anticipate the achievements that lie ahead in the upcoming seasons.
John Cruces from Dafabet expressed, ‘We are delighted to continue our partnership with the team. They operate as a family-oriented organization that values loyalty and recognizes the importance of long-term relationships. With the new bikes being implemented, we are fully confident in our prospects for success in the upcoming season and extend our best wishes for luck, speed, and safety to the riders.’
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