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The Isle of Man Mountain Road for a couple of days this week, was-closed due to snow. The 2026 Dakar Rally voyage is in full swing but after opening stages, non-finishers are already 2013 Lightweight TT race winner James Hillier and Czech rider Jiri Broz (2005, 2007 and 2009 Supersport race victor at 300 Curves of Gustav Havel in Horice).
Wishing them both a swift and speedy recovery!
Racing 2026 style is firmly underway in New Zealand and Australia whilst it is a quieter time in Europe, were wintertime largely-focuses on pre-season preparations and testing.
Last weekend one of the opening Rehm Winter Trophy rounds, graced the Spanish, 2.18 miles (3,506 metres) long ´Circuito de Cartagena´ venue, that first opened thirty years ago in 1995.
Well known names from roads scene circles participating included Austria’s fastest TT exponent, Smith Racing’s Julian Trummer (class A race runner-up), racking up pre–TT Races mileage on M1000RR BMW metal.
Same applied to 2025 Senior Manx Grand Prix winner, Supersport Suzuki apparated Irishman Caomhan Canny (Scott Racing rider this season).
They were-joined at Cartagena by German duo Sascha Schoder (Twin Cup organiser, competitor at Frohburger Dreieck & Schleizer Dreieck) and Ben Kugler (2024 IRRC Schleiz Supersport wildcard).
Marek Stibor (2024 GP La Baneza pilot) ensured Czech roads scene representation.
1982 Formula One TT, six-times Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix victor Ron Haslam, who celebrates this year his 70th birthday in June appeared with ZX4R Kawasaki machinery and was- joined on track by British Superbike Championship winning son, Leon Haslam (testing 8R Suzuki).
Carl Harris, son of late great TT racer Karl ‘Bomber’ Harris additionally took part as did reigning British Supersport Champion Rhys Irwin.
When discussing racing in Spain, we would be remiss not to mention that the already mentioned ´El Gran Premio de La Baneza´, 65th edition (9th-10th August) coincides with ESR finale/penultimate IRRC round at Horice (Czech TT) and Luckendorfer Bergrennen (hill climb event in Germany).
Spanish real road racing aficionados, super fans will also be hoping their compatriot Victor Ortega Perez adds this year, extra great chapters to an already prosperous Manx Grand Prix competition CV.
Words by Jan Vavra
