Now the fastest all
female crew around the Mountain Course,
Estelle and Melanie came home in 11th
position in Race 1 at an average speed of
107.61mph, securing a much deserved bronze
replica. Their fastest lap in this race was
108.407mph, but more was to come later in
the week when they broke the 109mph barrier
in Race 2… 109.394mph to be precise, a lap
speed which put them in a marvelous 6th
position before a fuel pump issue put paid
to their progress over the mountain on their
final circuit.
Melanie Farnier preparing for this
year’s meeting by studying on-board
footage from the Tony Baker / Fiona
Baker-Holden video.
Picture by John Newton |
|
The French
pairing at Quarter Bridge, courtesy
of Mike Hammonds |
Estelle made her TT
debut in 2013 enlisting the help of the
experienced Sebastien Lavorel as her
passenger: they finished both races in 29th,
lapped at over 101 mph, Estelle consequently
emulating her mother, Sylvie in being
awarded the Susan Jenness Trophy.
One of eight French
entries in the sidecar class of 2015 was
that of Lionel Mansuy and Melanie Farnier;
they finished both races and lapped at over
100mph in race two, as they were to do in
2016. However, back in France, Melanie was
passengering for Estelle and with seven wins
from ten races they became French
champions…it was therefore natural for them
to combine their talents for TT 2017.
Plans are already in
place for TT 2018… Estelle and Melanie are
to return with a brand new SGR [Sam Gache
Racing] outfit, with Estelle’s dad,
Francois, inheriting their old one.
The Susan Jenness Trophy
is presented annually in memory of TT
Supporters’ Club member, Susan who lost her
life whilst marshalling at an UK off-road
motorcycling event. TT 2017 saw some
outstanding performances by female
competitors…
Fiona
Baker-Holden, accompanying dad, Tony, had a
great TT gaining two bronze replicas for 8th
and 6th places with average race
speeds well in excess of 109mph. Chrissie
Clancy as passenger to Mick Alton and in
only her second TT, achieved her fastest
ever lap in Race 2, 108.785mph; this
resulted in an 11th place and a
bronze replica, something she had already
secured with 12th in the first
outing for sidecars. A similar story for
Julie Canipa, who, after acting as ballast
for Doug Chandler at the TTs of ’15 and ’16,
admirably assisted veteran driver, Greg
Lambert to 8th and 14th
positions, taking home two bronze replicas.
Beset by various problems
during the fortnight, local sidecar driver,
Debbie Barron, regrouped, pulling all her
resources together to complete the distance
in the second of her events at an average of
speed 94.406mph.
Maria Costello,
recipient of the Susan Jenness Trophy in
2016 remains the only solo female competitor
– again she did herself proud, securing a
bronze for her 18th position at
an average speed of 112.20mph in the four
lap Lightweight event… sometime soon, we may
well be commenting on Maria’s success on
three wheels at the TT.
Congratulations to
Estelle and Melanie on their meritorious
performances at the 2017 Isle of Man TT.
They will receive their much deserved award,
from Club Chairman, Roy Hanks in a ceremony
at the TT Grandstand during next year’s
event.
Press release by
Graham Bean.
The French pairing at
Quarter Bridge, courtesy of Mike Hammonds