By Closing in on four years ago, the Senior Manx Grand Prix of 2015 showcased and some the unique, exceptional, raw talents of Malachi Mitchell Thomas and Billy Redmayne.
At the time my race report detailing the great battle for blue riband race honours between Mitchell Thomas and Redmayne, was as follows:
Ideal conditions greeted competitors for the 2015 senior Manx Grand Prix. The four lap race would see a race long duel between Junior race winner Billy Redmayne and Silicone Engineering Racing’s Malachi Mitchell Thomas.
By the end of lap three Mitchell Thomas held a 2.501 second lead over Redmayne, with both respectively lapping in excess of 121.5 mph on lap two, both riders where showcasing and some their proven talent around the mountain course.
Lap four saw drama strike, as Redmayne retired on Martin Bullock Manxsport CBR 600 Honda, Mitchell Thomas continued to lead but by an increased distance, could he set a new outright lap record for the Manx GP?
The answer was yes, as the rising pure road racing star lapped at a dazzling 122.221 mph, surpassing Alan Jackson’s previous lap record of 122.208 mph set in 2004.
Rob Hodson ended a highly successful weeks racing by finishing in second place, on the PRF Racing GSX-R 750 Suzuki.
Andy Dudgeon piloting Slick Bass backed GSX-R 600 Suzuki finished in third position, his second podium finish of the day, having finished second in the Super Twins race.
Joe Newbould propelled his own teams ZX6R Kawasaki to excellent fourth place finish.
David Sellers produced an eye catching display finishing fifth, whilst Tom Weeden secured a personal best result on the mountain course, sealing sixth on his own teams 675 Daytona Triumph.
Paul Smyth was seventh, Karl Foster eighth, Chris Preston Racing’s Glenn Harrison ninth, Dennis Booth finalised the top ten finishers.
Further stand out performances included Rhys Hardisty in 12th, Julien Toniutti in 13th, Tommaso Totti in 17th, Newcomers A winner Peter Wilkinson in 18th.
A truly great, compelling senior Manx Grand Prix, which ended in style a great two weeks action at the Isle Of Man Festival Of Motorcycling.
Words by Stevie Rial
