MARTIN BULLOCK

Leading sponsor, Martin Bullock replies to Mike Hammonds’ questions……..

* TT 2004 saw many changes with the MMCC taking control of the event. How did these changes affect your team in relation to the attitude and service received from Scrutineering, the Race and Press Offices, the Paddock and the Rider Liaison Officer?

I had been advocating that the MMCC take over the TT for years. There is no doubt that this change has fundamentally altered the whole attitude towards competitors and teams, very much for the better. It is great to be greeted by a smile when we walk into the Race Office. It is great to be able to just walk around the paddock without being part of an Escape Committee. I have no complaints at all with any of the Organisation, though I am not actually aware of who was Rider Liaison Officer last year, which may say something about the role!

* The new commentary team created divided opinion, what was your view?

Well, I enjoyed it. I know that Charlie Lambert worked very hard to hold down the anchor job at the Grandstand, and I know that Tim Glover put a heck of a lot of thought into the whole Radio TT revamp, which was a great credit to him. Add in Chris Kinley who is great in the Pit Lane, Maurice Mawdsley with his knowledge and experience, Andy McGladdery and Charlie Williams who admirably does the studio based side of it. It was pretty up front musically, too. I don’t think people can complain when they are playing Keane, The Zutons, the 20-20’s, Killers etc. I think Radio TT has changed to suit the times.

* The race programme for 2005 has changed drastically with the dropping of the lower capacity classes. What do you think of these changes? How would you like to see the classes develop?

Whilst I obviously have a vested interest in keeping 400s, with Anita (Buxton) doing so well, the problem is that they are obsolete technology. The manufacturers dictate the classes. I do believe that at some point the European and Japanese manufacturers will mass produce 400s for European sale again, and 400 racing will then come back. That is economics, but the new classes look fairly in line with my expectations and with what is happening everywhere else, though I do believe that the Senior should allow us to use Race 750s not just Superstock 750s. Apart from anything else, how can it be okay to let 750s run six laps in Superstock trim (i.e.without being allowed tyre changes, which would require modified swinging arms and thus breach Superstock regulations?) After all, untuned 750s are already giving 250cc away to race tuned 1000s

* Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle and Paul Philips have recently been appointed
Rider Liaison and Rider Recruitment Officers. What would you like them to achieve?

Top appointments. I have seen the difference already with the way we had the Press Launch. Wow. Razzamatazz! This is what we need. A real professional approach to it, everybody’s buzzing. Martin Finnegan summed it up for me when he said that gone are the days when we put up a few flyers on Douglas Prom three weeks before the event. Everybody’s up for it because we all have a sense of direction.

* What is your opinion of foreign riders racing in the TT? Should all foreign newcomers enter the MGP first?

There is a good crop of foreigners. Take Bonhuil, Bonetti, Rumiano, Kalsek, Maeda, Klaffenbock; add Marcus Barth. They are world class, straight to the TT for them. I have said many times that we need these riders. What we need to avoid are guys with no experience arriving here to do 95mph laps just because they are foreign. They shouldn’t be here, TT or MGP. It’s a safety issue, as much for themselves. With Milky and Paul’s added experience, the vetting procedure will be a lot tougher.

* In the past you have used the TT as practice for the MGP, how does the new rule of not letting riders compete in the MGP who have raced in the TT effect your team?

Yeah, that’s knackered that! However, I understand the MMCC’s desire to really make two quite separate events. As a bonus, it means that we can actually now have two sets of riders; we have a chance to help some ‘bigger’ names at the TT. So, it’s actually better all round.

* What are your team's plans for TT2005 and the year in general?

TT2005 is about Bruno (Bonhuil), Anita (Buxton) and Moly & Dan. Five solo machines plus the sidecar. Other than that, we will be taking Anita to the NW200 and the UGP; we are also running Juan Kinnish and Sean Murphy in the IoM Championship. Of course, there’s a little bit of business to take care of at the end of August, too! I can’t tell you the line-up yet, but it is good.

* Anita Buxton became the first woman to win a race at the UGP last year, what did you think of this achievement? What are your plans for her? And how far can she go?

A wonderful achievement, recognised and applauded by virtually everyone including the really top boys, though inevitably ignored by just one or two miseries who are stuck firmly in the late 19th Century and still believe that women should be tied to the kitchen sink! A great piece of history and so well deserved. Anita is like a little undiscovered diamond, and I always thought she just got completely overlooked by everyone. All we did was just polish her up a bit and now she is shining. We have long term plans for her to develop as a rider and a star name. She will certainly go quicker at the TT this year; she has added a new dimension to our team.

* How has the fact you now have own website helped publicise your team, what are your plans to develop Team MBR and its merchandising? Have you attracted any new sponsors to Team MBR?

Wow, we’re in the 21st Century! The website [www.mbr.co.tt] really is down to Tommy (Clucas) as he was always on at me about it! Finally, we have done it. Tommy’s brother-in-law, Mike is the Webmaster; it is his vision that has made it look so good. I am really into this now, and merchandising is our next big thing. We have a lot of ideas, including a clothing range for Anita as well as MBR and Moly gear. We are also handling Slick Bass’s product and I see this really taking off. We have done a lot of research on this, and we see a lot of opportunities to actually develop the MBR brand in a variety of directions. Again, Tommy was definitely always on to me about this sort of thing and I would say in particular, he and Anita have made me realise the history we have and the value that it has created. As for attracting outside sponsorship, no, nothing! But, so be it. We just crack on and do what we do, lack of outside sponsorship will never stop us from racing. However, I know if the right deal came along we could run up there with the big solo teams at the TT.

* You are the most successful Manx team ever with 18 victories over the
Mountain Course, which one of these gave you the greatest pleasure?

I am just very proud of being recognised as playing a part in the history of the TT and MGP. Everything we do is special to us. I would say, however, that the ‘99 and ‘03 Junior Manxies gave me a massive buzz. To get a 1-2 is amazing but to also have your bikes running one and two on the road as well, wow! As for wins, funnily enough, the most significant races have been second places. I’m thinking of Milky’s runner-up in the ‘98 Lightweight MGP (after Mike Casey’s accident and then Steve Ellis’s accident) and Ian’s (Pattinson) runner-up in the 2004 Senior Manx (obviously after Tommy’s accident), both results coming at times when we were at a real low ebb. Those results gave the whole team such a massive lift and, my goodness, did we need it! Those were the two times when I really was questioning what I was doing and whether I should be doing it.

* How important has Tony Scott Tuning Service been to the success of the team?

We have done a lot with Tony because he is a top man. Just off the top of my head, together we have had two Senior and three Junior Manx wins, loads of runners-up. Tony is THE man. It makes our riders feel confident that he prepares all of our four strokes. Tony’s won 20 + TTs. He must be the most successful tuner at the TT and Manx by miles.

* Who has been the easiest and who has been the most difficult rider to work with and why?

Wow, you don’t half ask some questions! Well, we have had many easy riders
(Easy Riders ha ha!), there was one rider (no names, no publicity) who really didn’t take to the way I ran the team or the way I ran my personality! We came to an agreement that that person was better suited in a much lower profile environment where they would be concentrated on exclusively. So that is where they are and we are all happy now.

* You and the team have experienced very many highs over the years, however, you have also experienced the ultimate low with the loss of Mike Casey and
Tommy Clucas. How did these tragedies affect you and the team? What support did you receive from the organisers, the Tourist Board, the media, etc?

Believe me, it is a crushing blow. I am sure that everyone knows someone who has been touched in this way, and, okay, we all know the risks, but that makes it no easier. It is my name on the hat, and I cannot escape that. It is 7 years since Mike’s accident, but I still think about it, the same with Tommy. This year will be very hard at times. The first year is the hardest! I have two choices really and I have other riders who are relying on me to carry on. Mike would have been disappointed in me if I had stopped racing, and I know Tommy would have been calling me a “….ing lightweight!” I can only speak from a Team point of view (because the rider’s families obviously have far more to deal with) but I know the support we got from the organisers and the media was amazing. The outside support from the general public just blew me away! People I didn’t know were coming up to me in the street to give us support.

* What gave you the strength and motivation to carry on?

I suppose really to an extent I have answered that in the last question. However, in particular, the riders’ families supported us to carry on. After Tommy’s accident, I offered to withdraw our five riders from Friday’s races, but his family asked me on the Thursday to race in his memory. These last two questions have been so difficult to answer. I suppose the over-riding belief I have is that I am lucky enough to be in a position to try to help a few riders achieve an ambition and while I am able to do that, then I should.

* How did you rate Tommy Clucas’s 120mph lap in the Junior 2004 MGP?

That was one of the greatest achievements I have ever seen on a motorcycle! Do not underestimate how awesome that was to do and see! Tommy took the Manx into a whole new dimension, I believe that he would have been the natural successor to Milky. Tommy could have won a TT in years to come; he always knew 120 was on. We had talked about it over the months, not in a big-headed way, we just knew he could do it. What a talent he was, not just on a bike. I never realised he was a very good footballer, scoring 1 in every 2 games over a career of nearly 500 games for his local club (Peel).

* What advice would you offer to someone who is contemplating running his own race team?

Er…firstly, study sports psychology. Secondly, get a large cheque book and thirdly, get used to being single! I have never met a woman who will put up with me spending most of my money either on racing or football (the rest of it I just waste!) Fourthly, enjoy it. Fifthly, brace yourself!

* How would you describe yourself as a team manager - dictator, control freak, megalomaniac?

Ho ho! None of those! Though the rider referred to in question 14 may say that I am! I have a clear idea of where we are going and how I want things to look, but I never put pressure on any rider In fact, the opposite. I spend most of practice week slowing them down! Race is race! Then they can go fast because that is what a race is about. I would say that I am pretty laid back generally. Occasionally people assume that means that I am a soft touch but they soon get sorted. I suppose that you ought to ask my riders because they will have a clearer idea of how to describe me.

* What ambitions have you left to fulfil? How do you relax when you are away from racing?

I love what I do, it’s my way of life. I am lucky that I am able to do the thing I love most, but there is much more to do though. If you settle for what you have already done you may as well stop doing it! I want to win a solo TT with a Manx rider and how about three Manx wins in a week. I want to get Carolyn (Sells) on the rostrum at a Manx and an eleventh TT win for Moly. I want to be the first to have a Japanese bike win the Senior Manx Classic and I want to develop and bring Anita through, the list is endless. I still haven’t had a date with Danni Minogue, Caprice, Kathryn Norris, Emma Bunton, Amanda Donohoe, etc, and a couple of women from the IoM who I won’t name (because I am not sure if they would be interested!) As for relaxing, well, West Bromwich Albion is close to my heart. I am a player’s sponsor, a shareholder and a friend of the Chairman. So most every other Saturdays in the winter
I am down at the Hawthorns. Do we call that relaxing? We call that the Hawthorns Roller Coaster. That actually probably sums my life up! I relax on the Roller Coaster.

Thanks, Martin for answering our questions and “good luck” for the coming season