Round up of some of the most intriguing, interesting stats/facts to emerge from this year’s Manx Grand Prix.
Following this week’s Mountain Course competition, there is now 26 ‘Tommy Club’ members. The new members of the prestigious club named in honour of the late but great Tommy Clucas are Junior/Senior Manx GP Champion Nathan Harrison, new Junior class lap record holder James Hind, Ballymoney’s Darryl Tweed.
Junior race runner-up Stephen Smith, Strangford Holiday Park supported Dan Ingham, VRS Racing’s Brad Vicars and for the second successive year Senior race runner-up Stephen Parsons.
Photo by Mark Corlett
Third in Wednesday’s Mylchreests Group Junior race, Skerries Andy Farrell who announced post race his retirement from MGP affiliated action, now jointly holds the record alongside Chris Palmer and Andy Dudgeon for the most Manx GP podium finishes in the 2010’s.
153 racers have now secured at least a third place finish or better in a MGP affiliated race, within the current decade.
23 nations were represented at this year’s Manx GP including for the first time Russia, courtesy of Danila Krasniuk.
Nine manufacturers were represented this week with the likes of Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Paton, Kramer all enjoying strong representation from a host of overseas roads stars, up coming roads talent and exciting highly rated next generation roads exponents.
Newcomers A class victor, Pierre Yves Bian’s momentous achievement made him prior to Lancelot Unissart winning the opening Ultra Lightweight race, the first Frenchman within the 21st century to win a Manx Grand Prix.
Overall every race victor this week including Junior/Senior victor Nathan Harrison, was a first time MGP winner.
Onchan’s Harrison, who set the fastest lap of the meeting on the final lap of yesterday’s Senior race, lapping at 122.09 mph, became the first racer since fellow countryman Michael Evans to secure the prestigious achievement of Junior and Senior MGP victories in the same week.
It’s also worth pointing out that excluding Newcomers B winner Mark Kirkby and Ultra Lightweight race 2 winner Tom Snow, all winners this week were from the age range of 19-28, which showcases how great a proving ground the Manx GP is in terms of bringing through the TT stars of tomorrow.
Words by Stevie Rial