page_title: Norton RCW588
hierarchical_section_title: Norton RCW588
caption_attribution_description: Ian Simpson's 1994 rotary-engined Crighton Norton displayed at Nobles Park (rear of TT Grandstand) Douglas, Isle of Man in 2009
context_page_description: The Norton RCW588 is a Works Racing motorcycle, produced for the 1988 to 1994 racing seasons, initially with an air-cooled version of the road-going twin-rotor Wankel engine used in the Classic soon followed by watercooled versions from 1989.
  Racing started in late 1987 with employee Malcolm Heath as development rider on a limited budget, then with a six-man team from 1989 including riders Trevor Nation and Simon Buckmaster. With major sponsor John Player & Sons, the Norton Rotary achieved significant racing success with riders Steve Spray, Robert Dunlop, and Ron Haslam, together with stand-in riders Andy McGladdery and Terry Rymer. Steve Hislop achieved a win at the 1992 Senior TT race, the first time Norton had won the class since 1961, and Ian Simpson won the 1994 British Superbike Championship. The unique Wankel engine configuration measured at a capacity of 588 cc was accepted by the FIM in 1990, allowing the Norton to enter the 500 cc Grand Prix premier racing class.
context_section_description: The Norton RCW588 is a Works Racing motorcycle, produced for the 1988 to 1994 racing seasons, initially with an air-cooled version of the road-going twin-rotor Wankel engine used in the Classic soon followed by watercooled versions from 1989.
  Racing started in late 1987 with employee Malcolm Heath as development rider on a limited budget, then with a six-man team from 1989 including riders Trevor Nation and Simon Buckmaster. With major sponsor John Player & Sons, the Norton Rotary achieved significant racing success with riders Steve Spray, Robert Dunlop, and Ron Haslam, together with stand-in riders Andy McGladdery and Terry Rymer. Steve Hislop achieved a win at the 1992 Senior TT race, the first time Norton had won the class since 1961, and Ian Simpson won the 1994 British Superbike Championship. The unique Wankel engine configuration measured at a capacity of 588 cc was accepted by the FIM in 1990, allowing the Norton to enter the 500 cc Grand Prix premier racing class.
caption: Ian Simpson's 1994 Championship-winning Crighton Norton RCW588 in its last guise wearing Duckham's oil company livery displayed at the 2009 TT races
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