By 11th within the 2014 Newcomers B race, 16th in the inaugural Lightweight Classic TT, Eric Lenser who has ambitions to take in Sidecar TT action, is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News rising in popularity, Manx GP Top 6 series.
Overall thus far five times a top 25 finisher combined from MGP, Classic TT race stints, 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?
“It’s complicated. I did my first Manx before newcomer weekends were required, and had never been there before, so arrived a few days early to learn it.
I’d watched the videos every day for a year, but when I got there I felt like I’d watched the wrong video!”
Q2: Most memorable Manx GP bike?
“My Honda NX5. The whole thing that got me to the Island was to race the Mountain Circuit with my 250GP. First year was a disaster, but we’ve had a few good years since.
Close second is Marc Dufour’s KTM690 Supermono. It wasn’t the fastest but we finished a race with a home built bike, that was pretty special too. Lots of hours went into that project!”
Q3: Most treasured memory from the Manx?
“Starting last in the 2017 Lightweight, starting dead last 74th off the line after a late bike change and getting my best ever times, finishing 21st. I’d also say earning a bronze replica the same year in the Lightweight Classic TT.”
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Q4: Is there one specific Manx GP competitor that you look up to?
“No but it’s my family. All these guys are equal, we are there living our dream. Everyone is so friendly, so caring for another. It’s a pretty unique place.”
Q5: Describe the Manx GP in one word?
“Incomparable”
Q6: Finally, if you could race one machine from any series, championship around the Mountain Course, what would it be?
“That’s my project at the moment. Race the circuit with an F2 Sidecar, with my partner Julie. We’ve been working on it for a few years now (Julie was a newcomer passenger at the 2019 TT).
It combines all I love, home built machinery, the Isle of man circuit and sharing with my loved one. We were all ready to go in 2020, our entry was accepted. Then the world changed. But we are not done yet!”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
