By Third within the Newcomers B race of 2012, fourth in the following year’s Junior, Lightweight MGP races, Heysham’s Colin Stephenson is next to take part in Road Racing News acclaimed Manx GP Top 6 series.
Three times a top twenty finisher at the TT Races, scoring a personal best eighth place finish within the Lightweight class encounter of 2016, his answers to the Mountain Course themed set of questions, are as follows:
Q1: When you first competed at the Manx, what was your first initial thought of the Mountain Course?
“Anticipation mainly, I set my sights on the place very early on in life. Kinda put me into a narrow focus to what I needed to do.
I think standing at the start line pointing down Bray Hill though there’s a whole heap of thoughts going on.”
Q2: Most memorable Manx GP bike?
“I only ever rode the SV (650 Suzuki), R6 (Yamaha) and a GSXR 600 (Suzuki) there but without a doubt the R6 was perfect round there.
We spent so much time making that bike the best it could be. Like me and it were best friends!”
Q3: Most treasured memory from the Manx?
“I don’t think there can be one most treasured memory there’s just too many. Just having the craic every day and riding motorbikes.”
Photo by Rod Neill
Q4: Is there one specific Manx GP competitor that you look up to?
“I wouldn’t say a specific Manx GP rider but I’ve always admired Jefferies (David) and Finnegan (Martin) round the TT course. When men were men!”
Q5: Describe the Manx GP in one word?
“Passion”
Q6: Finally, if you could race one machine from any series, championship around the Mountain Course, what would it be?
“It would probably have to be the RGV 500 (Suzuki) if I could pick anything from anywhere. No electronics, evil power and a chassis that is so sensitive you can flick it from kerb to kerb with ease.”
Words by Stevie Rial
