By Overnight rain, issues at Union Mills, coms problems, it felt like racing today was 10 billion miles away!
Eventually, everything fell into place and first encounter up this afternoon was the Manx Grand Prix Supporters Club Junior (Super Twins) race.
European Hill Climb Superbike Champion Maurizio Bottalico (Dafabet Racing Kawasaki) was first to get the tap on the shoulder at 2:10 PM.
Andrea Majola (VAS Engine Racing Paton), many people’s pre-race favourite went next, followed ten seconds later by ‘Tommy Club’ member Dan Ingham (Castings Technology Aprilia).
Once the first batch of starters made Glen Helen, we gained an early glimpse into those looking in good contention for higher echelon results.
Andrea Majola opened an early lead of 5.143 seconds over fellow Italian Maurizio Bottalico, Julien Cregniot attained third, 0.651 further adrift.
2018 Newcomers B race winner Michael Rees, was the first confirmed retirement, coming to a halt at Rock Farm.
By Ballaugh Bridge, 2023 race runner-up Majola’s lead had expanded to eight seconds.
Through Ramsey, Majola now leading on the road passing Bottalico, added just past two seconds to his already strong race lead.
As lap one ended, compulsory pit-stops beckoned, Majola (lap one lap speed – 116.006 mph) led Bottalico by almost 16 seconds, 15.923 to be exact. Top non-Paton racer Ingham held third with Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments Cregniot back to fourth.
Gaining not losing time in the pits, first placed Majola gained at Glen Helen on lap two, added nigh on seven seconds to the race-lead, which grew to 22 seconds plus.
Baring mechanical gremlins, unforeseen circumstances, Majola nudging 160 mph through the Sulby speed trap, looked set to join the MGP winners’ fraternity.
Just as Majola, Bottalico reached the Bungalow, the race was red flagged, due to an incident at Ballacrye, the rider involved was reported to be talking, conscious (information via Manx Radio).
Race Re-Start:
Organisers then made the decision to re-start the Junior race, over a trimmed down two-lap distance.
Action was scheduled to return at 4:15 PM but there was the caveat of wet weather looming, with rain drops reported at Glen Helen, Kirk Michael.
Soon a fifteen delay was announced, putting the start time back to 4:30 PM.
Then it was 5:00 PM, 5:30 PM and then the inclement weather prevailed, meaning no re-start.
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
