By Carrying an MGP CV which includes two top 10 finishes, overall four top 15 finishes, paddock favourite, all round good guy Nigel Rea is next to take part in Road Racing News rising in popularity, Manx GP Top 6 series.
An accomplished exponent of Super Twins, 600, yesteryear two wheel machinery, 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 was 2009, I respected it greatly, after all the learning I only got two dry laps in two weeks (crashed on one of those as well), but I was in total awe of the circuit, nothing compares!”
Q2: Most memorable Manx GP bike?
“My current home built GSXR 600 (Suzuki) ‘big Suzy’, it’s competed at TT’s with my Son Ben on and 6 MGP’s with me winning replicas at both.
I’ve also piloted it at North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix, multiple national Irish roads and in Wanganui New Zealand.”
Q3: Most treasured memory from the Manx?
“My first replica win following a top ten finish in the Classic Superbikes class.”
Q4: Is there one specific Manx GP competitor that you look up to?
“Keith Dixon. I got my first road bike in 1988 from his dealership in Accrington and I was asking him about the MGP.
Albeit the classic bikes now run in the Classic TT, Keith is still competing, it’s always great seeing him and his wife taking the bikes up.”
Q5: Describe the Manx GP in one word?
“Indescribable.”
Q6: Finally, if you could race one machine from any series, championship around the Mountain Course, what would it be?
“I would love to run a Moto 2 at the Manx Grand Prix.”
Words by Stevie Rial
