By Frantic, hectic, I could add various similar words to sum up yesterday’s racing at this year’s Manx Grand Prix.
Three-one lap, one two-lap race took place amidst a backdrop of continuous bad luck for organisers and the good old weather causing a fare few headaches.
Despite the unprecedented circumstances, Mountain Course race action never fails to thrill, excite and yesterday carried a similar vein.
Newcomer, PBM (Paul Bird Motorsport) tyre technician Harley Rushton, swept up the Junior Classics title, Banbridge’s Shaun Anderson took an emotional win in the Carole Nash Senior Classics race, having finished the tiniest of margins in front of Morecambe Road racing legend John McGuinness MBE, 0.163 of a second!
The blue-riband race, the Mylchreests Group sponsored Senior contest saw Melton Mowbray’s Dan Ingham finally after second, third place finishes from recent years, join the MGP winners’ circle.
Ian Lougher following late race problems for Michael Dunlop, Key Racing Ducati’s Michael Browne scooped the respective honours in Lightweight, Classic Superbike races.
Once the racing finalised close to 7:00 PM, you could tell the sense of relief for all involved, racers, marshals, organisers, team members.
This past week has been arduous, challenging, character building. The delays, the rain, the winds, at one point you could be forgiven for thinking will any racing happen.
Contrary to what some forecast it did but what this week does show is that new ideas can work fruitfully but they only do when everything aligns.
Post Racing Reactions:
Junior Classics race winner, Harley Rushton:
“I’ve been coming here since I was seven, sat in the hedge rows with my dad, grandad, sister. Finally took the decision this year to be the other side of the hedge and on the road and it’s been a lot of planning, beyond my wildest dreams to stand on that top step of the podium on the Isle of Man.
It’s something I’ve supported for many years, to come here and race the course as a newcomer, the bike was unbelievable, Chris Hughes Racing have put together a great bike and Ted Woof/Craven Classic Racing have supported me as well my whole racing career, without the support of Ted and that team, I wouldn’t have been in a position to come here and start racing.
Got to thank my whole family and all my loyal sponsors, it’s just been a dream come true as this, still pinching myself, don’t think it will really settle in till tomorrow morning.”
Senior race winner, Dan Ingham:
“Finally, finally, absolute relief, wanted it for ages, again I thought sketchy conditions, not willing to push in these conditions, thankfully it was enough, over the moon, over the moon.”
Senior race runner-up, Chris Cook:
“Really happy, been a long time coming have been coming here for years, it’s due. The bike was good, lack of practice wasn’t set up perfect, but it was good enough.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
