Holder of a Manx GP CV that includes two Lightweight Classic victories, plus in total nine rostrum finishes, Barry Wood who first tackled the Mountain Course back in 1988, is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News, ten questions challenge.
17th within the 1998 Lightweight TT, Barry’s answers to the popular series of questions are as follows:
Q1: Favourite National Roads Meeting?
“Southern 100”
Q2: Favourite Racing Bike?
“TZ Yamaha”
Q3: What’s the best part of competing on the roads?
“Best part of competing on the roads is the natural aspect of the bends and jumps, which you would never find on a short circuit. Plus the social aspect and the craic is not the same on short circuits.”
Q4: TT, North West 200 or Ulster Grand Prix?
“TT”
Photo by Bill Snelling
Q5: Most Respected Rival?
“I no longer race of course but I have far to many to name, but Alan ‘Bud’ Jackson, Derek Whalley and Brian Mateer all rate a special mention.”
Q6: Best roads moment thus far?
“Best roads moment was winning the Manx GP for the first time, (won the Lightweight Classic in 1999 and 2000). I still get emotional talking about it.
It is an incredible feeling as a native Manxman to win that race, especially after many years of trying.”
Q7: Is their one place or country in the world, where you would like to see a roads meeting held?
“I don’t travel any further than Ireland so I cannot really answer this question, but I would rather see more roads events than less.”
Q8: Who’s your road racing hero?
“My hero and friend, Raymond McCullough. I am a life long Dromara Destroyer!”
Q9: Supersport or Superbike?
“Supersport for me, a bit more like the 250’s!”
Q10: Pole position or fastest lap?
“Fastest lap”
Words by Stevie Rial