Nigel Rea Talks Mountain Course Journey, Final Manx GP Venture

Nigel Rea Talks Mountain Course Journey, Final Manx GP Venture

The definition of an unsung grass roots racer hero, Nigel ‘Nige’ Rea is for the final time tackling the Manx Grand Prix, having made the decision to retire from racing around the unparalleled Mountain Course.

This morning before torrential rain commenced, I caught up with the four times top 15 Manx GP finisher to chat about his career at one of pure road racing’s most cherished events.

Speaking about why he made the decision to call time on MGP affiliated competition, the ever- affable Rea stated:

“I’ve been doing it since 2009, obviously missed the covid years but I only missed 2013 when I brought Ben (Rea) for his newcomers year.

So, been doing it a long time got a massive excuse book, there’s always something, there’s the weather, a breakdown, if anywhere is going to find it out it’s this course.

It’s such a mammoth task to get ready for, very expensive, blown an engine yesterday, brand new thousands, thousands of pounds.

It just always seems to go that way and I just think I can get a lot more fun out of doing some of the smaller events, I’ll still do some of the bigger events but I think I’ll hang my Manx leathers up after this one, just want some good safe finishes.”

Our conversation then moved onto the topic of main goals for this year’s Manx.

“Safe finishes, obviously I’ve got some goals and everybody you’ll speak to will say the same, you get going, you are on your own, if you get a nice clear track and you know what you what to do.

You’ll have a lap time in mind or a finishing position in mind, so yep good safe finishes are the priority, a replica would be lovely.

Been back in the paddock is the main thing, speaking to people like you guys, seeing friends you haven’t seen for ages, brilliant to be back.”

I then asked the eighth-place finisher from the 2010 Post Classic Superbike race, what has been his favourite all-time MGP steed.

“The XR69 (Suzuki) was always great, got lots of attention, lovely looking bike but I think this one, we call it big Suzy.

This is my 600, we built it brand new in 2014 and were a couple of engines down the line but we’ve got a good relationship, old faithful.

This is like my old armchair, comfy pair of slippers, so this is my favourite.”

In terms of the biggest changes’, he’s seen to the Manx, since his first participation in 2009, he stated:

“Well, I’ve seen a couple cause in my time, I’ve seen the Classic classes stop, when the Classic TT was formed and now I’ve seen the demise of the Classic TT and the classic classes back to the Manx.

So, two massive changes there. The obvious biggest change now is the shortened event.

Practice has pretty much been the same as it’s always has been, it’s such an effort now to come and normally I’d have two races on the 600, I’d have two races on the Super Twin and one race on the classic, so I’d have five races.

I’m paying the same money and now were only getting three, so there is that side of it.

I don’t know what happened with the powers that be and these changes that were agreed or disagreed, we are where we are, at least we still have the event.

Which is why we are here supporting it, the people running the Manx are absolutely great people, everybody in the office, the scrutineers, the marshals.

It’s just a fantastic event, although I said it would be my last, I’m just really pleased to be here supporting the event.”

He went onto add:

“It’s a cracking paddock, as soon as you bump into friends you haven’t seen them from the year before, it’s as if it was yesterday, good friendly paddock.

Good friendly bunch, the organisers are all friendly it’s like everyone is your mate.

I know we’ve got TT lads here and it’s great to be on track with the likes of McGuinness (John), Dunlop (Michael), it’s fantastic.

But the vast batch of the paddock is privateers and as a privateer no one helps me, it’s go to work, graft, save me money, beg steal and borrow, which most of us do and that’s the sort of spirit of the Manx.”

My final question was if you could describe the Manx Grand Prix in one sentence, what would it be?

“It’s just, you live more racing round here than most people would in a lifetime. It’s just immense, absolutely immense.

Even when you race anywhere else and there’s some fantastic circuits, Oliver’s Mount, all the Irish national roads, North West, Ulster GP hope it comes back, there all fantastic but nothing like this.

I’ve raced all over the world and there is nothing like the TT course, long may it continue.”

Photo credit: Nick Wheeler

Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou

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