DAFABET AND RC EXPRESS RACING EXTEND PARTNERSHIP
Triple Isle of Man TT winners RC Express Racing have extended their deal with Dafabet for a further two years, which will see them celebrate a full decade of partnership in 2026.
It’s now one of the longest sponsorships in road racing with the partnership seeing several high points for both riders and the team.
Dafabet joined the Bristol-based team in 2017 with Ivan Lintin and Steve Mercer in the seat. That year, Lintin finished fourth in the Lightweight TT—a race he’d already won twice for the team after Dean Harrison’s 2014 victory—and also clinched wins at the Ulster Grand Prix and a podium at the North West 200.
In 2018, Lintin landed four top ten TT finishes, including eighth in the Superbike race whilst also setting a personal best lap of 129.185mph in the Superstock encounter. He looked strong in the Lightweight TT before a retirement on lap two though he did set a blistering sector record from Ramsey to the Bungalow that still stands.
Later that year, a serious crash at the Southern 100 ended Lintin’s racing career, but RC Express bounced back in 2019 with Paul Jordan winning the Supertwin race at the Ulster Grand Prix and scoring strong results at both the TT and North West 200.
After the covid pandemic severely affected two seasons, the team returned with rising star Rob Hodson, who claimed five top 15 TT finishes in 2022, including sixth in the Supertwins, plus a win at the Southern 100.
In 2023, when Gary Johnson was injured at the Horice road races in the Czech Republic, the team brought in double British Superbike champ Josh Brookes. The Aussie delivered big, taking third and fifth in the Supertwin races.
Now looking ahead to 2025, the team is entering a new chapter—switching to Honda for their 1000cc campaign and signing local talent Michael Evans. Expectations are sky-high for another thrilling season.
Ben Constable, Dafabet Racing Co-Owner, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be continuing our journey with Dafabet. This partnership has become a cornerstone of our team over the past eight years, and to extend it through 2026 is a real testament to the trust and success we’ve built together.
“We’re entering an exciting new phase with fresh talent and new machinery, and having Dafabet alongside us gives us even more confidence to push forward and aim higher. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve together in the seasons ahead.”
John Cruces, Dafabet, added: “We’re very happy to be extending our partnership with the team. They’re a family-based set-up that appreciate the values of loyalty and how valuable long-term relationships are. With the new bikes being put in place, we have every confidence of success in the new season and wish the riders the best of luck, speed and safety.”
