By The second racer to take part in Road Racing News, recently launched Racing on the Irish Roads – Racers Recollections series is top five finisher at Cookstown, Whitehaven’s James Rothery.
His answers to the Irish road racing themed set of questions, are as follows:
Q1: What is your first Irish road racing memory?
“My first memory was sitting at the top of Orritor Road Cookstown, about to do my newcomers laps on the Pre- injection R6 (Yamaha) I was riding, the nerves and anticipation of what I was about to do will never leave me.”
Q2: Present favourite Irish road race?
“Favourite race, well Cookstown was my first so obviously got a soft spot for it and recently got to ride the Mid Antrim Clough circuit which was as we know cancelled on race day but it was seriously the best circuit I’ve ever ridden.
That said we never got to race-day so my favourite has got to be the Armoy Race of Legends, absolute mega circuit and what an atmosphere at the home of the Armoy Armada.”
Q3: Who is your most respected fellow Irish roads exponent?
“Got to mention my team mate and one of my mentors Anthony Ambler and his Dad, our crew chief and ex racer Ian Ambler they got me into this but it’s got to be Wattie Brown, absolute legend.”
Q4: If you could alter one aspect, in particular, within the sport, what would it be and why?
“If its one thing I could alter would be the ferry costs and insurance costs, these are my biggest hurdles to compete.”
Q5: To date what has been your favourite Irish roads moment?
“Apart from my fourth place in the Super Twins B race last year at Cookstown, it has to be been awarded the Lee Vernon memorial trophy at my first time at Armoy, post competition on the little FZR400 (Yamaha).”
Q6: Irish road racing summed up in one word, what would it be?
“Pure”
Q7: Is there any Irish roads event, that you haven’t raced at yet that you would like to?
“Haven’t raced the Ulster GP but if it runs again, I will be there.”
Photo credit: Baylon McCaughey
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
