By The third participant in Road Racing News brand new for 2020 Manx GP Top 6 series, is Red Line Road Racing’s David Murphy.
MV Agusta mounted for roads events this season including the Manx, 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?
“My first real thoughts of the Mountain Course was when I was sat on the start line before for my first lap for the newcomers practice in 2018.
Up to this point I had done around 70 laps in the car and never put any thought into how daunting it would be looking down Bray Hill for real and I was so excited and nervous, I am not ashamed to say a little wee came out in my leathers like an excited puppy!”
Q2: Most memorable Manx GP bike?
“This is an easy question for me as I’ve only used 2 bikes at the Manx in the last 2 years of competing, a 2012 GSXR 600 (Suzuki) and a 1991 ZXR 400 (Kawasaki).
However last year the Kawasaki blew up in final practice so by default it has to be the Suzuki even if it is a poor example.”
Q3: Most treasured memory from the Manx?
“My most treasured memory from the past 2 years there has to be the finishing the Senior last year. I had a lot of trouble last year with 4 Manx GP class entry’s and a classic TT entry and then going onto only start and finish the Junior and Senior races on the 600 Supersport, which had a mayor issue and only produced 107 BHP.
However despite it looking like a right off year I got my best finishes with x2 23rd places. I had the race of my life (Senior Manx 2019) and got into the 115 mph average lap mark and got in a bit of trouble for a cheeky burnout in the return lane.”
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Q4: Is there one specific Manx GP competitor that you look up to?
“I’ve got to say I look up to everyone that competes there but there is one person in particular over the past couple of years who has helped me a lot from great advice, to help with the bike in both the Manx and the Irish roads and he’s good craic and just a top bloke, he’s the Irish legend that is Damian Horan.”
Q5: Describe the Manx GP in one word?
“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!”
Q6: Finally, if you could race one machine from any series, championship around the Mountain Course, what would it be?
“For me this is a really hard question because most people that know me know I’m very eccentric and love bikes that aren’t the normal go to options and I also feel like I’ve answered this question already with my new bike the MV Agusta F3 675.
However having said that I’d defiantly love a go on the Suter 570 2 stroke but its obviously not Manx eligible, so I’d say the new Ducati Panigale V2 would be the senior weapon of choice.”
Words by Stevie Rial
