By With just 75 days to go till pulsating competition returns to the fabled, mythical Mountain Course, anticipation is building and building for event newcomers including Craig Szczypek.
A pure road racing newcomer at last year’s Oliver’s Mount Spring Cup meeting, Szczypek went onto clinch a top three finish in the opening Super Twins B race, finishing third just over 1.6 seconds behind race runner-up Matt Rees.
Prior to roads scene ambitions, he has quietly caught the eye at Thundersport GB rounds, consistently scoring top ten, top six, top five finishes.
Set to accomplish this May a long-held ambition, his maiden TT tenure sees him compete under his own team’s 2ZS Racing banner, sampling the four lap Super Twins race.
Recently I caught up with the Buckingham based racer to gain his thoughts on joining the TT rider ranks.
Our uncontrived conversation reads as follows:
Q1: How long have you been considering tackling the TT Races?
“I decided in 2015 that I was going to race at the TT, we went to watch the races on the first night at Parliament Square, I knew then I had to race the TT.”
Q2: How’s the Mountain Course learning process so far, is there any parts in particular you find intriguing?
“The learning process has been very intense the track is like nothing else. It’s not just the lines it’s the bumps and reference points there’s so much to take in.”
Q3: What do you think is going to be most different aspect of TT Racing in comparison to your previous racing endeavours?
“I think the difference in riding style carrying so much speed all the time, being on the twin it will be just flat out.”
Q4: In the run-up to the TT, which race meetings are you aiming to compete at?
“I’ll be competing in the first 2 rounds of Thundersport GB. I was planning on more road races but due to money and time off work this hasn’t been possible.”
Q5: Finally, is there one racer in particular that has inspired you to become a TT competitor?
“Not one rider impartially but Dan Hegarty for saying no reason you can’t do it just make it happen.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
