By Rising Irish roads star James Chawke will pilot at this years Manx Grand Prix one of the strongest Super Twins mounts available, Mark Coverdale’s factory supported S1-R Paton, that forms a regular part of Ian Lougher’s Team ILR machinery stable.
The great opportunity that awaits the amiable Chawke, who’s lapped the fabled Mountain Course at close to the 119 mph mark, has been made available thanks to primarily sponsor, mentor, good friend Carl Roberts.
The guidance provided by long term Manx GP competitor Roberts, who’s also helped and sponsored brother and fellow road racer Liam Chawke has proved crucial in the ex McKinstry Racing rider’s development into becoming one of the fastest rising stars of the Manx Grand Prix.
A Mountain Course newcomer in 2015, he’s steadily chipped away with his pace, track knowledge in recent times, gradually becoming a consistent contender for top 15, top 10 finishes.
Last years Manx GP saw him bank series of very creditable results finishing 13th and 10th in the four lap Junior, Lightweight races.
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Aiming to make the next step of contending for top six finishes or better, alongside the factory supported Paton mount for the Lightweight encounters, the Rathkeale racer will also pilot be this August ZX6R Kawasaki mounted for the Junior, showpiece Senior races.
Third recently within the Super Twins race at Walderstown, there’s no doubt that he has the ambition, talent, ability and determination to in the future develop into a prominent exponent of the major international road races, such as the North West 200, TT and Ulster Grand Prix. At present though it’s the Manx GP, that is James main priority.
Highly rated like many fellow up coming, next generation roads talents, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all to many roads aficionados next month, if he scoops a maiden rostrum finish at a roads meeting which year in year out brings through the TT stars of tomorrow.
Words by Stevie Rial
