By Five bronze replica finishes, a new personal best lap speed of 125.909, voted Monster Energy Peoples’ Challenger award winner, Rathkeale’s James Chawke had ample reason to look back positively on a-largely-weather impacted, 2026 TT Races.
Eva Mullen takes up the story around his sixth TT campaign:
James Chawke and the Chawkie Racing team dedicated their 2026 Isle of Man TT tenure to the memory of ‘Big’ Jim McCarthy, one of the team’s earliest and most enthusiastic supporters, sponsors.
The news of Jim’s passing during qualifying week cast a shadow over the event but it also provided extra determination for Chawke, as he tackled the Mountain Course in honour of a man who had backed the team, from the very beginning.
The Chawkie Racing team, also extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Dan Ingham, alongside wishing all injured riders a full and speedy recovery following incidents, during the TT fortnight.
Amidst the emotional circumstances, 2018 Junior Manx Grand Prix winner Chawke, enjoyed a strong week of racing, delivering consistent performances, personal progress across Superbike, Supersport and Sportbike classes.
No.1 highlight from the RST Superbike race, was a superb standing start lap-speed of 125.909 mph, when aboard the Lyonara Coldstores sponsored BMW.
Chawke went onto finish twenty seventh, post repeated laps in the 124-126 mph bracket, demonstrating both dependable pace and endurance around the world’s most demanding road racing circuit.
The Supersport contests with 750 Suzuki equipment, saw Chawke continue to build momentum, pocketing twenty eighth, twenty seventh place finishes.
Most encouragingly, was the turn of speed shown late in both races, 119.24 mph in SSP Race 1 before raising the bar to 119.95 mph in SSP Race 2, narrowly missing the coveted 120 mph milestone.
One of the standout performances from the fortnight, came via the sole Sportbike race, aboard the RL (Richard Latimer) Racing RS660 Aprilia.
Chawke following an assured display, placed twenty second, registering a best lap speed of 114.67 mph.
TT 2026 activities ended on a high note with Chawke, acquiring the prestigious Monster Energy Peoples’ Challenger award. Voted for by racing fans, the accolade recognises the dedication, commitment, aptitude required to compete at the highest level, as a privateer competitor.
James and Chawke Racing would like to thank RL Racing, the entire squad, sponsors, supporters, family, and friends whose hard work and backing made another successful TT Races venture possible.
The results, the speed and the recognition made for a memorable fortnight but above- all, it was one raced proudly in memory of Big Jim McCarthy.
Photo credit: Ruth Tasker
Words by Eva Mullen
