By An accomplished exponent of 400 machinery, a top five finisher within the 2015 Newcomers B race, Edinburgh’s Derek Wilkie is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News, rising in popularity Manx GP Top 6 series.
One of Scotland’s most popular MGP competitors, 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?
“I had done far, far to little homework around the Island.”
Q2: Most memorable Manx GP bike?
“I’ve only ever used the wee 400 so got to be that.”
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Q3: Most treasured memory from the Manx?
“Finishing my first race and planning the next year before crossing the finish line.”
Q4: Is there one specific Manx GP competitor that you look up to?
“Not one specific, sure there are folks that are up the higher end with support who also dedicate all their time and effort in to it and other folks that just want to live out a dream. Anyone who crosses that finish line deserves respect.”
Q5: Describe the Manx GP in one word?
“Phenomental, you said one word, didn’t say I couldn’t make up my own!”
Q6: Finally, if you could race one machine from any series, championship around the Mountain Course, what would it be?
“I got sponsored an old ZXR 750 (Kawasaki) a couple of years ago. I expected this old bike to handle like a barge.
However, it handled superb and with being so heavy it really suited the roads. I’d love to ride a decent one over the Mountain Course.”
Words by Stevie Rial
