FORMER national champion motorbike racer Ian Mackman will achieve another first this season - no matter what honours come his way.

The 27-year-old has been invited to make his Isle of Man TT debut in the event's centenary year.

Mackman is main rider for Team 2 Machs - so named as his wife Joanne's maiden name was McCormack.

The team was formed in 2004 when Mackman was competing in the national Supersport 400 Series.

Moving to Runcorn about the same time, he was crowned MRO Supersport 400 champion before moving on to the National Superstock Cup series which runs alongside the British Superbike Championship.

In 2005, the first season on his Suzuki GSXR1000, Mackman performed consistently well for sixth place overall.

Last year, he switched to the more senior National Superstock Championship after buying a Suzuki GSXR1000 K6.

But by his own admission, the campaign was not easy.

'Early-season difficulties with set-up and being knocked off in two of the races dented my confidence,' explained Mackman, who is originally from Buckinghamshire and began road racing in 1998.

'Slowly, I made progress until an engine blow-up in the latter part of the season stretched my finances.'

But he still took many top-20 finishes while also picking up wins at club level.

For 2007, Team 2 Machs Racing are reverting to the National Superstock Cup.

His assault begins at Brands Hatch over the Easter weekend.

The Palacefields rider said: 'Taking part in the British championships at 12 rounds across the country and in the TT, both of which are the biggest events in national motorcycling, will give excellent exposure for the team's sponsors.'

Organisers of the TT have handed Mackman a place in four events.

As well as contesting the Suzuki in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior categories, he will be riding in Supersport on a 600cc bike provided by Bill Smith Motors of Chester, where he is service manager.

And if Mackman is looking for any extra advice on how to tackle the closed-roads circuit, he knows who to ask.

'Bill Smith holds a record for most replicas obtained in the TT,' explained Mackman.

'A recent fact-finding mission on the island has left me keener than ever to take on the mountain course.

'Davy Morgan (a former winner of the Senior Manx Grand Prix) took me around for several laps.'

Mackman added: 'As the centenary festival, this year's TT will be the biggest motorcycling event of the century and is a fantastic opportunity.'

Team 2 Machs are managed by James Powell, of Bill Smith Motors, but is very much a family affair with Mackman's wife and mother-in-law, Ann McCormack, heavily involved.

Mackman said: 'We are a fast-growing team in the British Superbike paddock.

'Team 2 Machs' racing goals for 2007 are to win the National Superstock Cup and have a successful newcomers' year at the Isle of Man TT.'

* Potential sponsors can contact Ian Mackman on 07958 181323.