2008 Manx GP Update 2
Maybe next year!
Hi everyone : I am now back in Dungannon again after my Manx adventure, which had its ups and downs for me as far as machinery was concerned, and also the loss of one of the finest classic riders the mountain circuit has ever seen, John Goodall , John was a class act both on and off the circuit, I had the pleasure of chatting to him at last years manx grand prix , sadly only saw him in the race office this year, unfortunately no one will ever see that famous yellow open face helmet again, We send our sincere sympathies to his family at this time, R.I.P JG. For me, he was the David Jefferies of the Manx.
Back to the racing side of things and Mondays Senior classic, well there’s not a lot to report as I never even made it to the line ! as the bike refused to start ! Ken and Stephen tried everything, but to no avail! which was rather disappointing to say the least, but I always maintain that these things happen for a reason. Fair play to Ryan for repeating his win on the Paton from last year, it was just disappointing that the MV had to retire at the end of the first lap as I think it would have produced a tremendous race between Gary and Ryan, but to finish first, first, you have to finish!
Wednesday and the race I was really looking forward to from the moment I first sat my area on this little bike! But as it has been since the beginning of practice week, it was delay after delay ,before we got the off at 3pm, the conditions were terrible ,but having said that,it was the same for every one I guess.
With not much experience on classic bikes and no experience with riding the mountain circuit in the wet or classic bike tyres, It wasn’t a case of having butterflies in my stomach, I think it was more like pigeons!!
As we set off I fluffed the start and was already 3 sec behind the Guy I started with going down bray hill but was determined to make things up, by the time I got to Glen Helen on the first lap , I Had managed to pass six of the bikes in front of me so, I thought I must be going ok ,so I kept the head down till I got to Ginger Hall where I was to get my first board from Ivan Morell, But I must have taken him by surprise as he wasn’t ready and all I got was this big wave ! which I presumed to be a hurry up signal!
, So it was head down again till I got to the mountain where I received a board from Donald Ferguson which read P8 +1 -0, Wow, to be honest, I nearly put my head through the screen ,as I was convinced that I wasn’t even on the leader board, But when I got to Creg Ny Baa, Two Stroke Joe (Wright) was there to confirm Donalds board, so I was well pleased, from then on I just kept it steady to bring her home in 6th position at the chequered flag.
There are so many people to thank for helping me this fortnight; I never had a spanner in my hand for a change ,which was nice. Many thanks to Davy Morgan who got the 350 ride sorted in the first place, Steve Caffyn of CSC racing who owns the bike, Ted my Mechanic and all the other people involved. Steve and his boys was a pleasure to work with so hopefully I will be back on board for Manx 09. His wife and family were all as pleased as I was to see that bike cross the finish line after the disappointment that Davy had with his bike in the senior race.
Also to Ken and Doris Platt for the 500 Norton and Chris the mechanic, We had great craic, and I really enjoyed riding the Norton, but only managed one lap on the Tuesday night and from then on in it was a disaster with one thing or another ,with the time and money that Ken spent to get there, it was really unfortunate, as Doris would say ; “is this what they call Racing……!!!”
As i write this article, the Senior race has been called off due to guess what, fog on the mountain again so lets hope it gets going on Saturday, and both races can go the full distance.
Best of luck to all the Irish lads in both races,, Mick Weldon was going to be the dark horse for the Senior but his last lap spill has put paid to that (get well soon Mick!) I am quietly confident that James McCullough will do the business this time round ,he really deserves a result ,but any of the home boys on the top step will do for me..
And what about the ever young Trevor Ferguson!, 6th in the 600 race!, he could well spring a surprise in the Senior!, Well done Trevor, and also to Dennis Booth, who has steadily improved around the mountain circuit, My apologies to Dennis, who I promised to take around for a lap on Thursday, but I had to get an earlier flight home, and was unable to fulfil my promise, sorry Dennis, but your 16th placing was well deserved.
In the smaller class, another local rider, Nigel Moore, seems to be on good form, if he is on form, he could well upset the form book , and maybe Joe Phillips on podium for 400 class, whatever the outcome, lets hope it is safe racing for all.
All being well, my next outing should be Killalane, and hopefully the following week, I intend making my debut at Scarborough.
Till then, take care
JB #16
Photo courtesy of Baylon McCaughey
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