By “Would absolutely love it but it’s one of them things anything can happen, try and not tempt fate, we’ll just see how it goes.”
Rated amongst the top contenders for race wins at this year’s Manx Grand Prix, Galashiels Johnny Stewart is quietly optimistic of great feats this week and next week.
Quickest from Sunday afternoon, Tuesday night’s Supersport qualifying stints, the eighteen times Oliver’s Mount top three finisher has positive early impressions about his V2 Panigale Ducati equipment, supplied by new suitors LPA Racing.
“Power wise, it’s good, we have got a bit to do with the handling and stuff, it’s just a new bike, just learning as we go along.”
Stewart went onto speak of the good working relationship, formed with the Cringle brothers Ryan (LPA Racing Team Owner) and Jamie.
“Good lads, they are really-sound, really chilled, laid back guys, had a couple of wee problems last night no problem at all, they are away changing some stuff today.
Just mega, they are just really chilled out lads, that’s kind of how me and my brother work, we like to get involved and be hands on and I think they are the same and they are quite happy for us to be involved with that as well.”
RS660 Aprilia propelled for the Road Racing News and Carole Nash Sportbike, Junior races, the Bob Smith Spring Cup rostrum finisher stated one of the reasons for switching to Aprilia tackle from ER6 Kawasaki apparatus was reliability.
“Went for something a bit more reliable, the RS660, seem to be getting on all right with that, straight out the box, kind of how I raced it at Scarborough, and it feels like it’s not far away.”
An established top calibre competitor at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, Stewart who has only been racing post the Covid 19 pandemic, within two years become a national Scottish Champion, spoke fondly about North Yorkshire’s ‘Mini TT’.
“Absolutely love Scarborough, it’s a mega circuit and we try and make the effort to make all the rounds, got the Gold Cup left now so looking forward to that.”
We end this article with an interesting story, of how MGP qualifying week leader Stewart, prioritised using Metzeler tyres:
“I bought a track bike four years ago and we were only meant to do track days and then it turned into let’s go racing and had a set of Metzelers on it, so I just stuck with Metzelers the whole time, I’ve never ever changed.
So, Dunlops might be better I don’t know but I just thought I’ll just stick with what I know, because it’s kind of safer that way I think.”
Photo credit: Mark Corlett
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
