2009 Manx GP Race Report

Relaxing with Rachael at MGP Supporters club function Pic Gmac

Hi Everyone It’s really been a busy couple of weeks lately , but with very little racing !as the  manx weather made sure we didn’t enjoy ourselves too much on the track, but rest assured, If you  are in  the Steve Caffyn camp ,the crack was always good no matter what the weather was doing to us,that made up for the poor weather, but  when you are there you just have to make the most off what the weather man sends you.

Well the 500, 350 and 250 classics were almanagated together, and run on Wednesday afternoon . The weather the previous two days left us we were unable to race which was a good call as its not the place to be riding around in the wet.

Due to the bad weather, and circumstances beyond his control, The Clerk of the Course announced that the 250/350 classic race  would be cancelled and not be run!, A tough call, which would have left a lot of riders not, getting a race!.

 So myself and Davy Morgan took it upon ourselves to go and see the Clerk of the Course and put our views to him about  the possibilities of running all three classes together on the Wednesday so that , hopefully everyone would get an opportunity to have a race rather than sending the 250/350 men home with their tail between their legs, Thankfully Phil took our suggestions on board and  common sense prevailed, and that’s the way he ran the classics, for me it was the perfect solution as I was having problems with my 500 and was more interested in riding in the 350 race anyway.

Flat out through St Ninians on Gerry O Sullivans 350 honda
 
Photo; Baylon McCaughey www.irishracephotography.com

 To be honest it’s a waste of time riding a 500 now at the Manx looking at the speeds that  the Patons are doing, not a bit of wonder there was a smaller than usual grid this year, mind you if I had the opportunity of riding one I would jump at the chance!!!!  But realistically, The organizers really need to do something before classic competitors loose interest. I am all for these bikes to be ridden, they are part and parcel of the History of the Mountain circuit, but I think it would be more fair to everyone, if these exoctic machines were classified differently.

Anyway, when the flag dropped and things got under way I was in a comfortable fourth place for the first two laps before dropping back to fifth when some boy came past me on a 500,he had much more straight line speed than me but little corner speed, so each time I got past him he blew me away down the straights again so really as much as it was a good battle on the road he cost me the chance of getting the last podium place , as the leader (Oversby, on the MV Agusta!) dropped out on the final lap, but I guess I have to be happy with fourth as in the same race last year I finished up sixth, so it’s an improvement on that.

So really that’s about it from the Manx this year but hopefully we will be back next for another crack at it, so before I check out there are a few people that worked there butts off for me to make it all happen, so Many Thanks to Steve Caffyn, Gerry O’Sullivan, Ted Edwards, Maurice Hogg, Jamie, Lewis Jim, Owen, Chrissy for all the cups of tea, and John Anderton (snr) Many Thanks to each and every one off you.

May I also thank Baylon for writing my last report as I had no excess to a computer while I was there in the sunny Isle of Man…

So that’s it for now, All being well, I  will bring you all up to speed at the start of the week as to how Killalane , the last road race of 2009, fares out for us this weekend.

Dont forget, if you are at Killalane, feel free to call over to the lorry for a chat.

Johnny Burrows#16