"The magic of the TT", a term so often heard, something perhaps not appreciated until you've actual been present on the Isle of Man in early June ……it's the great mix of exhilarating motorcycle racing, nostalgic parades, rallies, heavy metal music, Manx ale, even the weather, but then of course there are the characters. Young and old, riders - past and present - sponsors, officials, all interact to create a unique atmosphere, but some individuals stand out more than others …….. American, Wade Boyd, with his purple hair and "if its got an engine, race it" attitude comes immediately to mind.
On chatting to Wade, it quickly became quite apparent that his sporting year revolves around the TT, so I asked him to describe the preparations for his favourite event. No, I wasn't expecting a short answer ….. "my plans for the TT start at the previous year's meeting, but its always a changing plan, I'm always readjusting - what works, what doesn't, should I try something a little different, which bike should I use, do I rent, borrow or bring it along with me? I used to buy a new-ish bike every year for the TT, so the question was, do I leave it over there for the following year, sell it, etc. Also, where am I staying, how many friends are coming with me, what do they need …… and then there's the cost and time management?! I have to stop doing odd jobs that might get in the way of me getting to the TT, but I have to do many things to raise money to make the trip …….. we need two plane tickets, at least; that's about $2000…….. each bike has a big cost, this year I required a rear shock, that's another $1000 and a new helmet - I got a deal at $400 - then the new boots at $250 and gloves at $175. Oh! - and then I got to the Isle of Man and had to buy two transponders at £180 or $250 a go!…. the American dollar gets cut in half when you convert it into a pound. Shipping a bike back and forth costs about $3,000, so it's hard to bring more than one, that's why I started leaving the machine on the Island. Last year I couldn't afford to get the 400 bike to the TT and as my back-up machine ended up being ridden by its owner as he blew his up on the Dyno, I was out of a 400 ride. A few years ago I started renting a bike - usually between £800 - £1,000 - so I end up spending the money I earned from racing at the TT!
This year I was a little short on cash, so I had a benefit at our local bar, the Zietgiest and made $500 to get to the TT - that's what I showed up with ….. £250 - then subtract the cost of the transponders, £180 - good job I only had one bike. To qualify I used the tyres that I did last year's Senior on, and I even broke the 110mph average! I then spent over $1,000 on tyres for the races once I got paid from the Organisers for competing in this year's event."
On such a tight budget, presumably Wade does the majority of machine preparation himself? "I started TT racing eleven years ago and now usually do most of the mechanicing myself, although a few years ago I had two blokes helping me. The first came close, but he eventually failed the mission; the second sort of worked good for two years, then he blew a head gasket, ripped me off and was never heard of again - I was always the best mechanic anyway! Like Joey Dunlop said - 'do it yourself' and I do, even my pit crew is green. Gas and a faceshield, maybe a drink if you have time, but if it needs to be fixed I have to do it if I want it done right and now. The pressure in the Pits can be very extreme with 35 seconds ……. be good, be quick and no mistakes."
So, how did it all start? …….. "I was born into a racing family, my Dad did the TT in 1966 and raced in Ireland, too. In about 1969 I told him I was going to do the TT ten times, so we're now going on to year twelve! I started racing in 1970, both dirt and road, turning expert dirt tracking when I was at High School in 1973 - I obtained my pro licence then too. My average finish was third, always on a production bike. My TT debut was in 1992 on a CBR 600 proddie bike, although failing to finish I was on my way to the magical goal of 10 years competing at the TT. Same mount for 1993 and I also made the Senior, using Joe O'Sullivan's bike for the day [his was faster than mine, but he hadn't qualified - what a brother!] coming home in 38th position. In 1994, I rented a bike from Ron Grant - a rocket! …. but when I reached the TT, the ACU said they didn't want 600s in the Senior………. change of rules …….. I didn't know to say that it was a 650!! I was so displeased that I went and got me a sidecar ride with Jerry Flynn, and his mechanic loaned me his 400 bike, two years in a row. We got two good finishes on the 400 and one excellent one with Jerry. On the morning of the 1994 F1 I had not been given a start, it was then cancelled due to rain, but the following morning, Mad Sunday, the Organisers decided to let me race. I was the rider who found the dump truck on the Course at the 13th Milestone, right on the racing line where I really wanted to be! I still have a stripe down my arm to prove it! …. no, only joking! I thought I was in Mexico again on the Cabo 1000. Anyway, I came home 34th, one of four finishes that year."
Wade has been a sidecar passenger at four TTs and on one occasion nearly qualified as a driver, mechanical gremlins getting the better of him. He now holds the #1 plate for sidecar racing in the USA and as he says, "one day I'll be back on a rig at the TT"
What of TT 2003? "I got three good finishes on my Kawasaki - 1998 vintage - for the second year in a row, and broke my all time speed barrier getting to 110.02mph. I'm pleased with that"
Always a privateer, always on the look out for sponsorship - large or small - Wade has been known for his versatility during his 32 years of racing …….. but what, precisely, has he got up to? "I've ridden speedway, hill climbs, both dirt and paved, enduro, trials, sidecars, both the F1 and F2 variety and of course solo road racing in the USA on a variety of circuits - Laguna Seca, Sears Point, Willow Springs, Portland, Aspen, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Thunderhill, Ontario and then of course there's Ireland as well as the Isle of Man. I've been in wheelie contests, motocross, beach races, the Magny Cours 24-Hour Race and partnered Martin Vollebregt in an Assen F1 sidecar race. 
I started flat tracking in 1970, and now play around with Mini and Super Motard and participate in dual sport in the USA and Baja, Mexico. I've now competed in the Cabo 1000 on five occasions, winning twice consecutively. I started riding with a Yamaha 90 at the tender age of 7 - my parents used to tell me that I had Castrol oil for blood in my veins! My first riding experience was on the tanks of Pop's bike on the Sunday morning ride…….. I learned to walk at 85mph! Nearly forty-eight years I been involved with engines and I'm still doing the San Francisco Illegal Soap Box Derby" Of course all of Wade's racing does not take place on his own doorstep; he thinks nothing of travelling a return trip of 2000 miles, eighteen hours driving, to race his sidecar at Spokane.
What of the future? "Keep returning to the Isle of Man - I always have the best of times there, its fun, fast and a real international event; it's the Motorcycle Olympics to me. One day I hope to write a book ….. so much to cover ……. all the friends I've made, qualifying for the '94 Senior, breaking the 110mph barrier, failing to make the grid for the only time - my one foray, so far, at the controls of a sidecar, the excellent finish of '99 on my new R1 and being invited the Governor's Party - yes, officially, with the rest of my team, and to the Mayors Parlour, too!"
What a character …… and long may Wade be involved in the TT Festival. We look forward to seeing his stylish riding around the Mountain Course for years to come as well as benefiting from his effervescent personality in the Paddock. My thanks to Wade for all his assistance given in writing this article. For further insight into one of the TT's true characters "tune" into www.wadeboyd.com

Graham Bean