The Rotary Nortons is from the 2022 Milestones collection which, unlike the rest of the series was shot not on the Isle of Man TT course but across dozens of locations of historical significance to the TT. In this collection, riders, manufacturers and engineers all play a part in a plot culminating on that sacred stretch of 37 and three quarter miles of road: the Isle of Man TT course. These images offer a glimpse into the story behind the story.

The story:

The beetle-black Rotarys remain an enduring memory of the 1990 and 1991 IOM TT. But it wasn’t just the livery that was bold: technologically the Rotarys represented a foray into an engineering concept that left many of the major manufactures scratching their heads. This puzzling concept was the machine’s namesake engine, a pistonless, ‘rotary’, which was patented by German engineer Felix Wankel in 1929 and then developed for German car and motorcycle manufacturer NSU in the 1950s. The concept became something of a ‘black sheep’ until engineer Brian Crighton decided to develop a twin-rotor motorcycle race engine in the 1980s. He was convinced he could extend the brake horsepower of the Norton NRS 500 from 85bhp to 120bhp with his rotary engine and he was right: Crighton’s rotary Nortons finished third at their debut test run at Darley Moor circuit, a result that attracted full factory backing from Norton. Soon after, following a string of British Championship results, cigarette manufacturer John Player & Sons (JPS) agreed full sponsorship for British Superbikes and the 1990 Senior TT with Trevor Nation and Robert Dunlop, who finished 6th and 3rd, respectively.

Rachael Clegg's Limited Edition Art Prints have something of a cult following with collectors across the globe. Limited to edition runs of just 30, each print is signed and numbered by Rachael Clegg and comes with a certificate of authenticity and accompanying story text.

Images are printed on matt Photo Rag 308 gram/m² paper. Each print is carefully hand-rolled in craft paper and shipped in a rigid postal tube. Unframed prints include free worldwide shipping. Framed prints are shipped in a robust crate. Framed prints include free UK shipping.

Prints are available in these sizes:

Medium 50x40cm (approximate paper size)

Large 70x60cm (approximate paper size)

Extra Large 90x80cm (approximate paper size)

Sumo 140cm upwards

Framed options are also available. Images are dry-mounted behind art glass within a bespoke solid wood frame. Frames are available in either a black or white painted finish. These pieces are shipped in a robust crate.