2012 IOM TT

Ever since the late Martin Finnegan's fourth-place finish during the Superstock event at 2007 Isle of Man TT, the MV Agusta name hasn't been much associated with the legendary race.

But at one point, MV Agusta was unstoppable. The Italian manufacturer taking 34 TT wins and 61 podiums between 1952 and 1972, 10 of those wins with famed racer and Valentino Rossi mentor, Giacomo Agostini.

MV Agusta's first win arrived in the 1952 Ultra-Lightweight race with Cecil Sandford at the controls, and the last in the 1972 Senior TT by Ago.

Looking to reignite these better racing times for MVA, World Performance Racing announced it will campaign the new MVA F3 and F4 motorcycles at the 2012 Isle of Man TT.

The family-run business based in Chesterfield will field the MV Agusta superbikes in association with Moto GP out of Chorley.

Neil Haslam (World Performance Racing Team Boss) says: "World Performance Racing represents a passion for motorcycle racing and the desire to bring MV, the iconic motorcycle brand with a unique heritage, to the celebrated Isle of Man TT races in 2012."

"We aim to restore MV Agusta back to winning ways and ensure that the 2012 TT will be another chapter in this great Italian's brand's history."

Paul Phillips (TT and Motorsport Development Manager) says: "MV Agusta is one of the truly iconic names in the TT's history and I'm sure many fans will be eager to see the much anticipated return of a factory supported outfit."

"I'm really pleased that we will see yet another factory backed outfit at next year's TT and it is further confirmation of the event's growing strength and appeal."

IOMTT reports that Ago is the most successful MVA rider at the TT, with 10 wins, but some of the greatest names in the event's history have also raced on MVs, including John Surtees (6 wins), Carlo Ubbiali (5 wins), Mike Hailwood (4 wins) and Tarquinio Provini (3 wins). Gary Hocking took two wins, while John Hartle, Bill Lomas, Les Graham and, of course, Sandford also stood on the top step.