By Illiam Quayle’s omission from remaining qualifying sessions, all NW200 races after newcomers’ introductory laps (failed to complete mandatory five-laps) drew forthright opinions, viewpoints online.
Reading the various comments on Facebook, X, the feeling amongst the-majority of the road’s scene community is that the son of TT winner Richard ‘Milky Quayle was-hard done by NW200 organisers.
This is a view also firmly held by suitors Team ILR with Frog Vehicle Developments.
Commenting via the team’s official website, ten times TT winner, Team ILR – Team Principal Ian Lougher stated:
“Well what can I say about the meeting we’ve just been at?! I’m writing this almost a week after the event…as I was sooo angry I couldn’t put pen to paper, so to speak, before.
I’m not going to tell you about everything that went on at what once was a great meeting as I’d be here all day. But one thing’s for sure if the powers that be at the NW200 don’t change their attitudes to the real people that keep it going then I fear it will sink, just like the Titanic did when it was pushed too hard!!
I’ve never left a meeting and been so glad to drive out, and I have been to a lot of meetings, including 38 yrs at the NW200, but never again!!
The way they treated Illiam was shocking and spiteful, they have now set a precedent for newcomers to keep going even if they have a misfire or oil leak just to say they got 5 laps in, in their Newcomers session, bearing in mind at the briefing we were told they have to complete 4 or 5 laps!!!
Illiam did 4 and a half in a red flagged and then wet session on slick tyres…shocking behaviour!!!!!”
Lougher went onto heap praise upon Quayle’s team-mate Franco Bourne, who finished top NW200 debutant in both Super Twin/Sportbike races (P9/P5 finishes).
“For Franco he had a fantastic couple of rides on our Team Paton, bringing it home in 9th and 5th.
But to be honest I was more pleased with Franco who’s only 21, when he returned after the warm up lap on our Superstock Honda and said he didn’t feel safe to ride in those extremely windy conditions, he had the sense to pull in and we’ll go on together and race another day.”
Five times Oliver’s Mount race winner Bourne (Mountain Course newcomer), Japan’s only roads ‘Majors’ competitor Masayuki Yamanaka form a two-rider team for Team ILR (Ian Lougher Racing) at the much-anticipated 2026 TT Races.
Quotes via Team ILR website.
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
