By Part of a new breed of emerging road racing talents on the Isle of Man, Joe Yeardsley, son of former TT competitor Buddy Yeardsley, has the caught the eye of many during the 2022 real road racing season.
Fastest Billown course newcomer at the Pre-TT Classic Road Races, he finished a close runner-up to event great Mike Hose within the six-lap Senior Post Classic race.
Venturing back to Castletown in July, Yeardsley made an accomplished ‘Friendly Races’ debut, mixing it with multiple established event specialists, scoring a top eight finish, setting a best lap speed of 106.968 mph.
Yeardsley’s real roads calibre was further illustrated during last month’s 70th anniversary Scarborough Gold Cup meeting, as he finished top Oliver’s Mount debutant, lapped sub 1.51 seconds, recorded three top six finishes.
In recent times I caught up with the next gen, closed roads exponent, discussing a number of topics including aforementioned feats at Scarborough, Southern 100, plus whether competition on the fabled, mythical Mountain Course is a prime possibility.
Our uncontrived, un-distilled conversation, reads as follows:
Road Racing News:
First and foremost, how big an influence has your dad been on your racing career, given his achievements on the Mountain Course.
J.Yeardsley:
“My dad purchased my first motorbike at 2 years of age and we spent my whole childhood competing in mainly trials at the British Championships and in my teens’ motocross and enduro.
His achievements on the Mountain Course have influenced me to follow his footsteps and my childhood dream has always been to compete in the Manx Grand Prix and TT.”
Road Racing News:
At the Southern 100 in July, did you exceed your prior event expectations?
J.Yeardsley:
“The Southern 100 was my first road meeting on the R6 (Yamaha), having only previously completed at the Pre-TT Classic in May earlier in the year, that was my debut road event.
Our main aim was to qualify for the main 600 A race and ride round with no pressure and treat it as a big learning curve.
I feel very lucky to have Chris palmer who has helped me since I started racing in May 2021 and laps in the car with him definitely paid off at the southern 100.
We qualified 7th and came away with x2 7th positions and x1 8th position. I was very shocked by this and came away very happy with the results.”
Road Racing News:
Reflecting on the 70th Scarborough Gold Cup, how pleased was you with your excellent progress at England’s only pure road race.
J.Yeardsley:
“Oliver’s Mount was by far the hardest road racing event I’ve done so far. The track is unbelievable and despite watching loads of onboards on YouTube, when you actually get there, you don’t realize how technical the track is with the hills and hairpins.
I was very happy with my results coming away with x1 5th position, x2 6ths in the 600 A races, up against many experienced riders. I look forward to competing in all Oliver’s Mount events in 2023.”
Road Racing News:
If you could sum up your 2022 road racing campaign in one sentence, what would it be?
J.Yeardsley:
“I’ve had an Amazing year, one I could have only hoped and dreamt about.”
Road Racing News:
Finally, are you keen to join the Manx GP, TT rider ranks in the foreseeable future?
J.Yeardsley:
“Yes, next year will be my biggest year so far with the aim to compete in the 2023 Manx Grand Prix and finally achieve my childhood dream of competing on the Mountain Course.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
