By Four times TT winner, twice a Classic TT winner, a three times Manx Grand Prix winner, Chris Palmer epitomises the expression Mountain Course great.
Now retired from road racing, he is still actively involved in the sport, commentating on King of The Roads events (set to commentate on this month’s live-streamed Oliver’s Mount Steve Henshaw Gold Cup) and helping, mentoring Laxey’s Joe Yeardsley.
Praising the 2023 Cain Road Race runner-up, Palmer stated:
“I really enjoy it to be honest, it is nice to work with somebody that listens to you, takes advice, acts on the advice, so I do really enjoy it.
It is not like working with somebody who does not listen to you, when they take it on-board and act on it, I do enjoy it, its’ good fun.”
When asked what his thoughts are on the reconstructed, intertwined Manx GP/Classic TT schedule, he said:
“I think-it is better, everybody has-got more time, everybody seems a bit more chilled out, I think-it is better going back to it.
It just gives everybody more time and gives marshals time off as well and it just gives everybody a bit of a space and a gap.”
Moving onto the topic of upcoming roads talents, the former British 125 Champion commented:
“I-think there is quite a-few up and coming young lads which is really-nice and there is a lot-of good Manx lads coming along as well, that is nice for the Island.
At my age now to be honest with you, I am in with Joe (Yeardsley) and I’m more-or-less committed to that for as long as that runs.
You can’t spread yourself to thin, but I still help a lot of newcomers, I still go around with the newcomers and help them as much as I can, I try and put as much back in as I can.”
Unequivocal about his favourite Mountain Course moments, palmer cites just winning.
“Just winning, obviously winning TT’s is unbelievable, the first year I won it in 2003 they played the English national anthem.
Then when it the year after in 2004, they said what do you want the English or the Manx and I said play the Manx because I lived here then, that was a nice moment, almost felt like you had been accepted by the Manx people.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
