Japan’s Masayuki Yamanaka is planning his TT 2018 challenge, as he aims to build upon an already extremely accomplished Mountain Course CV.
Second in the 2015 Newcomers C Manx Grand Prix, TT 2017 which marked his maiden foray into TT level competition, saw him focus on the ultra competitive Supersport category.
Following a solid practice week, an ultimately short race week for him with the second 600 encounter cancelled thanks to persistent inclement weather wreaking havoc with the schedule, yielded a respectable 49th place finish within the first of the Monster Energy Supersport races.
At present his nations only Mountain Course competitor, Masayuki’s tumultuous achievements of recent times have attracted publicity a plenty across Japan.
Focusing again on the Supersport class at TT 2018 on his own teams Honda, the Tokyo based racer is hugely looking forward to competing for the second time at the most famous road race in the world.
Riders like him epitomise the draw of the TT Races worldwide, stories like his are what for many make the Isle of Man’s blue riband roads event so unique, momentous and prestigious.
Words by Stevie Rial