True Heroes Racing

True Heroes Racing was started by Phil Spencer, a serving Royal Navy sailor. After working with a large number of injured UK service personnel on motorsport charity events, he decided to use competitive motorsport as a way of restoring a sense of direction and focus for our injured UK service personnel so in 2012, True Heroes Racing was formed.

We started working with the team at the start of 2013 and soon went on to be the main sponsor for Murray Hambro (the first rider for THR) in the Triumph Triple Challenge. It was a fantastic opportunity for Laguna Motorcycles to be involved with such an inspirational rider, and to work alongside a group of ambitious and driven team members who have pulled out all the stops to make this unlikely ambition a reality! With several seasons under their belts, the team keep on growing and improving on track, making them one of the most recognisable and respected teams within the motorsport community.

The team have built a solid foundation and reputation within the Ducati Tri Options Cup, switching from Triumph Daytona’s to Ducati 899 Panigale’s to Ducati 959 Panigale’s and fielding teams in the Ducati Tri Options Cup, Sidecar Championships and the Superstock 1000.

The team is made up of five riders, Dave Mackay, Michael Russell, Dan Barfoot, Shaun Parker and Dave ‘Salty’ Sellers. Each rider has an incredible story behind them, from their time in the military, to overcoming injuries to entering into motorcycle racing but the team is much bigger than just its riders. THR is a race team which includes mechanics, physiotherapists, analysists etc, and each member is benefitting from, and something you hear time and time again from all the team members, is the camaraderie and team spirit.

With aspirations to take True Heroes Racing as far as possible, including the Isle Of Man TT race, the future is bright for the team as they gain amazing key skills and experience racing at the sharp edge. The whole concept of what True Heroes Racing is about, and what they are achieving, has really got the public’s attention and support… long may that continue!!

True Heroes Racing Riders:

Proud Sponsors Of True Heroes Racing Since 2013, providing the team with 959 Panigale motorcycles:

True Heroes Racing are racing in the Ducati Tri Options Cup on brand new Ducati 959 Panigale motorcycles, which we have proudly supplied them with for the season. This adrenalin fuelled machine, with incredible lightness, unprecedented agility and unmistakable design, gives True Heroes Racing new opportunities for a new season!

Each motorcycle is adapted to suit the riders needs, depending on their injuries sustained during their time in the military. For example, when Murray Hambro was racing for the team, his Panigale was not like any other on the starting line-up. For Murray to be able to ride with his prosthetic legs, the gear change control was removed from the footpegs and mounted up onto the handle bars. Murray used a Kliktronic system which has two push buttons mounted on the left side of the handle bar, one to go up the gears and one to go down. For Murray, the factory Ducati quickshifter was removed, and the Kliktronic system had an ignition interrupter facility that was wired into the bike to replace this, enabling Murray to have the same set up. To make space for the Kliktonic system to be mounted, certain parts of the original factory bike had to be modified. The battery was moved from the front left-hand side of the engine, down into the front of the belly pan and the radiator hoses exiting the engine had to be re-routed. In order to keep Murray’s feet on the footpegs, studs were added.

True Heroes Racing talk team spirit and good old British banter!

Watch the video below as we caught up with some of the riders and crew to discover what fuels their love for being part of such a phenomenal race team as they compete in the Ducati Trioptions Cup alongside the Bennetts British Superbike Championship