Following an accident at Snugborough, on the approach to Union Mills, Daley Mathison #19, tragically died from his injuries. My thoughts, at this very sad time, are with his wife Natalie, his young daughter and his family and friends. I would ask that anyone who wishes to get on the 'Ban the TT' bandwagon respect Daley, his wife, daughter and family. Daley Mathison was a husband, father and motorcycle racer, this is what defined the man. Please do not increase the hurt the family are feeling by being totally insensitive with unnecessary comments at this time.

A tribute to Daley,

Pictured the start of last Tuesday's evening practice.


 

The roads closed on time at 10:00 am and the Superbike Race was good to go at 10:45 am, however a medical emergency in Ramsey delayed the start until 11:05 am. It was agreed between the organisers, teams and riders to run the race over 4 laps in order to allow Lightweight qualifying later in the day.


The race mirrored last years Senior TT with Dean Harrison forcing the pace with Peter Hickman and the rest of the field chasing. Harrison (Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki) lead Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) by just 0.235 seconds at the Bungalow on the second lap. At Cronk-ny-Mona Hickman was in front by 0.649 seconds and as they crossed the line (entering the Pits) the lead had increased to 1.782 seconds. Hickman again showing his strength over the Mountain. Dean's pit stop was 57.2 seconds, 1.4 seconds quicker than his rival who still lead as they headed towards Bray Hill. Halfway into the lap the race was stopped due to Daley's accident with the result being declared at the end of the second lap. The impressive Connor Cummins took the final podium position. I, for one, would love to see him stood on the top step with tears in his eyes with the Manx National Anthem playing. Fingers crossed for later in the week.


The Sidecar Race commenced at 13:30 pm, Ben and Tom Birchall (Haith LCR Honda) lead the 39 strong field away. The conditions on the lower parts of the course were very good, however the headwind over the Mountain slowed the speeds over the top. Nevertheless the Birchalls lead from start to finish setting a new race record. At one stage it looked likely they would become the first crew to lap at over a 120 mph; the wind put paid to a lap record being set. The evergreen John Holden (Silicone Engineering / Barnes Racing LCR Honda) with Manxman Lee Cain in the chair, held second throughout. This was John's twentieth time to be on the podium at the TT, this compares with third placed passenger Jake Louther who was experiencing his first. Driver Alan Founds (Team Founds Racing, LCR Yamaha) achieved his second by beating his brother Peter and Jevan Walmsley (GLS Lift Services / Trustland Group, Rowtec Suzuki) into fourth.
 

A delighted Des founds with his sons performances in Sidecar Race 1

The performance of Ryan and Callum Crowe was nothing short of brilliant. The newcomers brought their Haven Homes triumph home in fifth place with a race average of 113.142 mph gaining the last of the silver replicas. Another notable performance was that of the all female crew of Maria Costello and Julie Canipa (Frog Property Developments Ltd LCR Kawasaki) averaged at 101.841 mph in finishing twenty first. Their fastest practice lap being just shy of 100 mph.


The final race of the day was the 4 lap Supersport Race, this had been scheduled to start at 18:30 pm. James Hillier (Quattro Plant Wicked Coatings Kawasaki) lead until half way round the first lap when Lee Johnston (Ashcourt Racing Yamaha) edged in front. Peter Hickman (Trooper Beer Triumph by Smiths Racing) struggled on the first lap and was down to seventh at one stage. He increased his pace and picked off positions throughout the second lap. As the leaders on the road approached the Pits at the end of the lap the chequered flag was displayed. Dean Harrison (Silicone Engineering Racing Kawasaki) entered the pit lane whilst the rest streamed through the start / finish line. The weather had won again, it was raining on the west side of the island making it to dangerous too race. Lee Johnston took his first ever TT victory from James Hillier and Peter Hickman.


It was lovely to see Lee upholding TT traditions by signing kids T-shirts and hats outside his awning after the race, posing for photographs and selfies. Not that selfies are a long standing TT tradition, that didn't happen in Hailwood's era.


 

The Mountain Road has been littered with traffic accidents and is more often closed than open, when will people learn to ride / drive with their heads and not their ego's and to the prevailing conditions. Another situation that appears to be annually increasing is spectators crossing the closed roads, this is ridiculously dangerous. A lady from the South Pacific was fined £1500 at the end of last week, maybe such fines will discourage this crazy act.


Photographs by Mike Hammonds:



Mike Hammonds

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