By Next racer to take part in Road Racing News brand new for 2020, Manx GP Top 6 series is 2011 Norrie Whyte Trophy winner Ian Pert.
Leader of the Hedz Up youth development team, 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 wasn’t sure what to expect, my first time on the Island was for the Hailwood newcomers weekend! I got there and was immediately surprised by how steep some sections were as that doesn’t come across on on-boards.
I remember getting out of the car and walking up to Sarah’s Cottage with Nigel Speedy John and being knackered walking up!”
Q2: Most memorable Manx GP bike?
“Possibly the first GPZ600 Kawasaki we built for the post classic Junior class in the Manx GP, before it became the Classic TT and Manx.
I run a youth charity and we bought the bike for £300, then we had a budget of £200 to spend on it, it was rebuilt by a group of 13-16 year old’s that came with me to help as it was raced. That was 2011, the bike we raced the following year is now in Murrays Museum on the Isle of Man, it was a similar cost!”
Q3: Most treasured memory from the Manx?
“Lots! Finishing that first year and having the kids run down to meet me as I came in, all in tears! We won the Norrie White trophy that year which is for meritorious endeavour by a Scottish person in the Manx GP, also in 2015 I won the ‘spirit of the Manx’ award which was a proud and humbling moment!”
Photo by Fantttastic Photos Isle of Man
Q4: Is there one specific Manx GP competitor that you look up to?
“Hard to pick one, but it would be between Jim Hunter for all the help and support he gives newcomers through the Hailwood Foundation, as well as being a top bloke, a former winner and now travelling marshal, and Russ Henley, another former winner as well as a good friend and a massive help to me and the Hedzup youth development charity I run.”
Q5: Describe the Manx GP in one word?
“Awesome”
Q6: Finally, if you could race one machine from any series, championship around the Mountain Course, what would it be?
“Easy, an Alasdair Cowan ZXR 750 (Kawasaki). I ride one occasionally for Alasdair and it is simply the best handling and best all round bike I have ever ridden.”
Words by Stevie Rial
