Monday's Looking Good

The weather is fine but breezy on the Island and I do not think I have ever seen so many solo racing bikes in the paddock. It was noticeably busier than when I was last their on Saturday.

The atmosphere is definitely more laid back than at the TT, lots of smiles and laughter as you walk round. The top riders were very visible, Dean Harrison was doing the rounds of the awnings catching up with his peers. John McGuinness, Michael Rutter, Gary Johnson, Dominic Herberstson complete with dog, Maria Costello and Phil Harvey were all out and about.

Phil had just received possession of his Laylaw Racing 250 Yamaha on Sunday afternoon and was doing some technical checks with son Will and dad MIck when I called in. Mick used to race sidecars and is now in the process of restoring an ex Steve Norbury chair in order to be able to some parade laps in the future. Retired? these guys never retire, once a sidecar racer, always a sidecar racer!!

Josh Daily, having just dried out from a soggy Ulster Grand Prix, hopes to get two laps in this evening. He will do one lap, come in and check the bike and then set off for a second circuit. Josh is riding a 750 Yamaha entered by Pete Beale Racing and is #35 in the Superbike Classic TT. Graham Bean featured Josh in the last ever TT Supporters Club Magazine.

The Manx Grand Prix is becoming a truly international event, of the 141 riders in the programme, 28 come from overseas (not including those from Ireland or the British Isles) and represent 15 countries. They range from as far east as Russia (1 rider) to as far west as the USA (4 riders). France has 8 competitors, Spain 3, Switzerland 2 and Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland and Switzerland one each. Eleven of these riders are newcomers to the Mountain Course

David Stiff, #25 in the Newcomers B Race, broke down on Saturday exiting Union Mills. He has managed to rebuild his SV650 Suzuki and will have his speed controlled lap tonight when the last of the first phase of competitors have left the grid.

Hopefully everything will go to plan and practice will get underway 6:20 pm as scheduled, weather and marshals permitting.

Dean Harrison and Michael Rutter catching up after the BSB round at Cadwell Park

Team Harvey, Will, Phil, Freya, Michelle and Mick next to Phil's Laylaw Racing 250 Yamaha

Josh Daley with his Pet Beale entered 750 Yamaha

The luckless David Stiff collecting his SV650 Suzuki form the bike rescue team on Saturday evening

 John Chapman Racing: #6 Joey Thompsons, #10 Dan Sayle's, #11Ryan Kneens all Lightweight Classic TT 250 Honda's 2
 

Mike Hammonds



 

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