Manx Surprise

Professional photographer Robin of Northline Photography sent me this complimentary shot from the Manx last week... one of the best pics I have of the fortnight.

This has spurred me on and now plans are now afoot for the 2012 season.

Thanks Robin!!

ManxGP 2010 - Ultra Lightweight Race

Got a few hours shut-eye and up early to get the bikes to scrootineering by 08h00 an a cloudy but warm day. Both bikes sailed through... all shiny and clean for the races. Then spent an hour or two waiting around for mist to clear on the mountain and finally wheeled Suzy V up onto Glencrutchery Road for the start of the Ultra Lightweight race. I probably seemed a bit cranky, but was keeping focussed on the task ahead.

Suzy V and Candy were the first bikes through scrootineering - we were keen!

Joined the long line of machines right at the back... more than 8 minutes later I was staring down Glencrutchery Road, starter's hand on my shoulder. He taps my shoulder and I ease the clutch out to make a clean getaway. After having ridden Candy the afternoon before, she seems to move in slow-motion... revving her right up to her 10 grand max and knicking one gear after the next. Within seconds we were in top gear with the hedge on the approach to St Ninians crossroads whipping past at over 100mph, just a foot away from my right shoulder.

The Team - Ian, me and my Dad with 'Suzy V'

Dad not looking too happy in the Trolley Park

With warm tyres I keep her pinned all the way down but roll going though the dip so that she doesn't bottom out too much with a full fuel load. Ago's Leap, Quarterbridge, Braddan Bridge and charging flat-out on through Snugborough. Starting almost last there was going to be traffic coming my way - I caught the first bike through Union Mills. I had the hammer down. I dispatched another three in one go just after the super-fast flat-out left hander just before the Crosby pub. You got to keep it flat-out through there, the revs rising as you lean the bike over through the turn and the tyre circumference decreases... they all rolled.

I haven't found many race pics, so this is from practice - landing from the Ballaugh Bridge jump (I am finally getting this right) - thanks tmgreed for the pic

I was getting a wriggle on... smooth and fast. It was faster than I'd ever been. I had caught and passed a dozen riders by the time I was hurtling through the 120mph plus Alpine Cottage. I'm sure every one of us out there gave a "Rest In Peace" to Jamie Adams and Chris Bradshaw who tragically lost their lives on that turn in Wednesday's Junior race. The blur of the yellow paint markers showing how the incident unfolded was a grim reminder to be safe and steady... but I only saw them on the first lap... Jamie and Chris got a R.I.P. on every lap.

Another from practice in Parliament Square - thanks tmgreed for the pic

The traffic thinned as I gave Suzy V all she had as I cam e through for the second lap. This time I didn't roll at the bottom of Bray Hill. "Whump!" she bottoms-out at well over 120mph and my chest hits the top of the tank, helmet clouting the tank and steering damper... but it's all expected and the foam pads on the tank and damper do their job and absorb the impact. I crack on for another steady, fast lap. there was mist over the mountain, but visibility was still about 100 yards so it didn't slow things up too much.

Alistair Haworth and Peter Minns waiting in the scrootineering line- Pete is planning on following in brother Mike's footsteps and doing the Manx... he's just started racing this season and should be out there in 2012

Through Keppel Gate I brake a little too hard, too early... I lose my corner-speed, and in an attempt to regain some time I get on the gas before I hit the apex. Despite only having 75 horsepower, and being on shell-grip, with the tyre at max lean  it breaks free and I get a big slide on the go. Go fast, turn left... flattracking style! I have never slid on shell-grip before... I just took 300 miles of life out of that tyre. It doesn't phase me much... but enough to not want to try that again on the next lap!

End of lap 2 and into the pits for a refuel. Ian on the refueling, my Dad hand's me a carb gel, drink, cleaning rag and sprays my bug-shot visor, then gets to work on the smeared screen. Fuel for bike and rider, clean visor and screen and I head out for the second-half of the race.

Practice, Quarterbridge - thanks again tmgreed for the pic

A little easier through the bottom of Bray hill and Quarterbridge and then nail it all the way to Ballacraine. There is a stationary yellow flag on the approach to Glan Vine crossroads. I'm catching a 400 all the way up the hill  and roll off the throttle early. Then I see a lack of adhesion flag (yellow and red stripes). The guy on the 400 saw it a second or two before me and threw out the anchors. It's like he's in high-speed reverse... "Fuck!" I hit the brakes as hard as I dare and fight with the bars to try get Suzy to steer around this palloka. Foot comes off the peg alla Rossi style as the negative G-force pulls my body forward and I try balance the bike at the limit of adhesion.

I squeeze past his right side... in excess of 100mph. Jeeeeesus! It wasn't that close... it just gave me a fright... didn't expect him to come to almost a standstill at such a fast part of the circuit at the sight of a yellow and red flag. Someone's engine had let go through there and there was a long oil trail that had already been cement dusted through the centre of the turn. Note to self: "Keep it tight through there for the rest of the day"... "and watch out for nervous riders in reverse."

Practice, Ballacraine - thanks Dave Kneen (think I've posted it before... but I like it...)

I lose a lot of time through there but crack on. I don't see another rider until the end of the last lap. I love it like that... just you, the course and the snarling of a Vee Twin. It seems so open, empty... it eggs you to go faster... faster... faster. You pass the spectators so quickly and at such close quarters at most parts of the lap that they seem frozen. Just images to people pasted to boards behind hedges, walls and on embankments... all watching you.

On the final run through Kirk Michael, I ran her through the first turn just a little quicker then before... I over-compensated and messed up the line... hitting a big bump as I approached the apex. The back tyre kicks, the front loads and slides... "Chiiirrrrp!". I leave a front wheel darkie for what seems an eternity before the tyre grips again. No worries... all in control... now get that frikkin' throttle open!

The only race pic I've been able to find - thanks Dave Kneen 

I passed a lot of riders during those 4 laps. I'd see the white on green race numbers of some of them out the corner of my eye. The first few were in the hundreds... then we got into the nineties... eighties, seventies, sixties and when I caught John Batty #58 at the conquered flag I knew it was a good result. Catch and pass, catch and pass. I had gone quicker than ever on Suzy V... holding her flat-out through turns where I'd roll... even just a smidgen during practice. So rewarding when you get that right.

I'm really happy with my performance and so proud of little Suzy V... I rung her neck non-stop for 150.8 miles on the toughest circuit in the world and she never missed a beat. She took all the abuse in her stride. On that last lap I was feeling for her and just talking her home... "Common baby... you can do it... nearly there now... just one more trip over the mountain..."

Ian Hutchinson's TT winning Honda Fireblade. Hutchy was around and did a parade lap with wheelies and burn-outs. Not much on this bike looked like standard Fireblade bits

Only after the next race did I find out the result. I started 4th last on the road... and brought little Suzy V home in 17th place out of 79 starters (I think). There were 59 finishers. My race average was 102.1mph with a fastest lap of 103.9mph - good enough to earn my second ManxGP Replica. Whooooohooooo!

:-)

Manx GP 2009 on YouTube - Cronk-y-voddy

Helena discovered this YouTube vid shot from the end of Cronk-y-voddy straight. That right-hander should be flat out... I'm still chicken and roll it just a wee bit (psychologically slowing down...). It's the end of first practice, so everyone is just getting a feel for it all in the glorious sunshine.

Fast-forward to 3:40 and... "What's that commin' over the hill? Is it a Monster... is it a Monster?"



Gotta love the sound of the classics too!

Wee Monster Triumphs!

Friday 04 September 2009 - Manx Grand Prix - Ultralightweight Race

An early start to get the Wee Monster through scrootineering and everything in place for the race. Mike arrived the night before to give support and check out what all this Manx GP fuss is all about. His MD Racing prepped monster ran faultlessly for 9 laps of practice and felt better every time I rode it. The only thing we changed during practice week was a set of tyres and brake pads. The bike is 100% within the Desmo Due rules (even running with Desmo Due control tyres - the Pirelli Diablo) - a standard motor with exhaust and PowerCommander meant we only had 62 bhp to play with. She is a bit on the porky side too with a heavy fairing and lots standard road bits still on. We were always going to get murdered against the tuned SVs and 400 Supersport machines in the Ultralightweight class, but winning the Manx GP was never a thought. Just finishing a 1.5 hour, 4 lap race on the Isle of Man was the objective for this little air-cooled roadie bike.

(Rider and pit crew Helena and Ian... and the Wee Monster before the race in Parc Ferme)

Throughout practice week we put up with jibes from other teams/competitors. Things like "What's with the road tyres?" and "How the fuck did you get that through scrootineering?" never put us off. Most of the japanese mounted paddock (besides the BAMF and Wee Monster, there were only two other non-japanese bikes in the modern classes) thought it a quaint idea bringing her to the Isle but didn't give her much chance of even reaching the race. But to be honest... Mike and I were both surprised that she'd lasted this long in practice. I did 9 laps on her - many of them in pairs. The 4 lap race with a fuel stop was going to push her harder and for for twice as long as she'd ever been pushed. The race was her big test.

The race start was delayed for half an hour and then things got underway shortly before the 10h45 start. Ian warmed her up and lined her up in sequence. #72. The first riders blasted off the start line and teh rest of us followed in pairs at 10 second intervals. Raceing on teh isle of Man is racing against the clock. The fearsome TT Mountain Course is your adversary.

("See you back in the beer tent for a pint mate!")

A good luck handshake with #71 and before I knew it I was staring down a crowd-lined Glencrutchery Road. I didn't feel the starter's hand on my shoulder, so figured someone was missing from the sequence and I was to get away by myself after #71. So I waited.

Next thing... he taps me on the shoulder and #71 on a two-smoke goes screaming down toward Bray Hill. Fuck! I'm supposed to be next to him hammering it down the start. Fuck! I rev the bike and let out the clutch... "Vroooom!".

I'm still on the start line. I embarassingly realise I'm still in neutral. I kick her down and pull away cleanly... only to find false neautral between 3rd and 4th as I approach St Ninian's Crossraods. Doh! What a cock-up of a start!

(Staring down Glencrutchery Road... only seconds to go... notice the starter's hand is not on my shoulder but I'm fiddling with my helmet strap... focus lad... focus...)

I'm a bit rattled and angry at myself. But settle down soon by the time I'm driving out of Union Mills and spot #71 far in the distance. I keep the little beast pinned but the first bike that astarted 10 seconds behind me screams passed me on this long drive up the hill. This is the difference of 20 horsepower.

There is some standing water where springs are coming out under the road through the Glen Helen section. I take it easy as I spot where the water is and make a mental note to try and avoid it on the next lap.

(I fumble off the start line a few seconds after my 'start partner' - Doh! Thanks Helena for these pics!)

I think because of not qualifying on the BAMF, I'd put a bit of pressure on myself with the Wee Monster. I struggle to get into a rythm... so just settle down to going as fast as I dare and enjoying racing on closed roads. The Wee Monster gets it's ass kicked by the other lighter, faster, more race focussed bikes (the Wee Monster doesn't even have adjustable front forks!), especially down the long straights and through the bumpy sections.

Before I know it I'm onto lap two - she feels a lot better with a lighter fuel load... but I still have to sit as far back on the seat as I can over the bumps to try keep the forks from bucking. Every time I go over big bumps and jumps on the throttle, she wags her head... I ride out a few little tank-slappers too - yup... she doesn't even have a steering damper! But she soaks up the punishment better than expected and I get a sense she's enjoying it!

(A cool shot from Nic Baleta through the marshals' hut - the Wee Monster powering up Hailwood's Heights towards Brandish)

Two laps and into the pit for fuel, visor and screen cleaning and some liquid for the body. As in 2005, Helena is on visor, screen and liquid duty... Ian on fuel duty. A great team! We have a seamless pit-stop and I head out for the last two laps. As I head down Bray Hill I feel suddenly more comfortable and relaxed. I find my rythm and start pushing here harder. I felt for the wee beast a bit as she was kepped pinned in every gear for what seemed a lifetime. But she took it all in her stride!

(A great shot from Nic Baleta - Getting the knee down through Brandish!)

Around the back of the Isle, over the mountain and down Glencrutchery Road again... man I was enjoying it! At Kate's Cottage and down towards the Cregg the leaders of teh Lightweigght class singed past me on their 250 GP bikes. By the time I had rounded Brandish they were through Hillberry and outta sight!

I was a bit sad that this was the last time I was blasting down Bray Hill but made the most of it by having the bollocks to keep her flat out in fifth (Yup... she also only has 5 gears!) through the dip! I went faster around almost every corner on that lap... but as I was urging her through the Gosseneck and up the Mountain I started to get rain on my visor. It rained all the way to the 32nd Milestone. Probaly not wet enough to have adversely affected the grip I was getting, but I wasn't about to try and find out so just stroked her home - not werf throwing it away at that stage of the game!

(A clutch of riders - or is that a gaggle... starting their descent from the Mountain - thanks Nic for the pic!)

Down the Mountain to Douglas for the last time. I was disappointed to see the man with the chequered flag - I was enjoying it so much I wanted to keep going! I brought the Wee Monster home in 54nd place (out of 87 entries... and 55 finishers... doh!) . My fastest lap was the last one: 92 mph average. Considering the rain over the mountain I'm very happy with this... and that's four pints from Mike!

Local lass Carolyn Sells made history as the first woman to win a race over the TT Mountain Circuit in the Ultralightweight class - cunningly not doing a pit-stop and completing 4 laps on one tank of gas and a minute ahead of my mate Mike Minns on his SV 650. It has been 20 years since the first race that women were allowed to compete in over the Mountain Course - apparently Carolyn competed this race 20 years ago! Neil Vicars brought his SV home in 26th place, easily adding another replica to his mantle-piece.

(Super-fast and seasoned campaigner Mike Minns hustling his SV through Brandish - thanks Nic Baleta for the pic)

The Wee Monster only managed 125 mph through the speed trap on Sulby Straight. Our gearing was one tooth short on the rear from standard road gearing - this was spot on as we were pulling 9500 rpm down past the Highlander. The top 400s were doing 145 mph and top SVs close to 140 mph... so she was completely outgunned... but she finished! During practice I was hammering it down Sulby (and got 124 mph) when I heard this whining sound. I thought there was something up with the bike when a white and black striped helmet came into my peripheral vision- it was Samual Dunlop passing me on his 125cc two-smoke!

(Another great shot by Nic Baleta at Brandish)

Overall a great result thanks to a great bike and a great team. Helena and Ian for the help and pit-stop, Nic behind the lens, in the garage and kitchen, Mike for the Mountain-Course proof bike and help with setup, all the guys in the paddock that always lend a hand... Mark Herbertson, Ant... everyone! THANKS!