By The seventeenth racer to take part in Road Racing News, recently launched Racing on the Irish Roads – Racers Recollections series is Cookstown 100 winner, top 12 Manx GP finisher, Wem’s Ben Plant.
His answers to the Irish road racing themed set of questions, are as follows:
Q1: What is your first Irish road racing memory?
“Standing at Sam’s tunnel at Skerries in 2013, seeing the first practice come through thinking what the actual f**k.”
Q2: Present favourite Irish road race?
“Tandragee 100. I’m reasonably competitive there and the fast-flowing corners suit my style.”
Q3: Who is your most respected fellow Irish roads exponent?
“Obviously everyone racing from first to last has my respect, it takes some to even get out there let alone go as fast as you can.
Special mention to Andy McAllister though for coming back this season, after a terrible injury.”
Q4: If you could alter one aspect, in particular, within the sport, what would it be and why?
“Cost is a major one, especially for oversea competitors. The Schedule every weekend pretty much means it’s impossible for most riders.
You pick and choose your favourites and the events specially towards the end of the year miss out on rider numbers.”
Q5: To date what has been your favourite Irish roads moment?
“Winning at Cookstown, yes it was a B race but I couldn’t give a monkey.”
Q6: Irish road racing summed up in one word, what would it be?
“I’ll go with what all the fans watching say to me, insane .”
Q7: Is there any Irish roads event, that you haven’t raced at yet that you would like to?
“I’m gutted I’ve only done what I’ve done, be great to get to more in Ireland as I’ve only done Skerries and Killalane. Have to see what 2023 brings.”
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
