By 11th in the 2004 Newcomers A Manx GP, a top 25 finisher at both the TT and Classic TT Races, experienced Mountain Course exponent Neal Champion is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News, ten questions challenge.
Neal’s answers to the popular series of questions, are as follows:
Q1: Favourite National Roads Meeting?
“Favourite meeting is definitely the Classic TT, but the Pre-TT Classic runs it close.”
Q2: Favourite Racing Bike?
“I love both classic race bikes I run at the moment, ZXR 750 Kawasaki and TZ 250 Yamaha, but being classics they take a lot of looking after. But probably my favourite would be Dave Clarke’s fab Kawasaki 650 Super Twin, that I won a TT replica with in 2013.”
Q3: What’s the best part of competing on the roads?
“Well, I started riding bikes on the road at 16, and still do so regularly. So road racing feels like the ultimate ride out with your mates.”
Photo by Nick Wheeler
Q4: TT, North West 200 or Ulster Grand Prix?
“I’ve not ridden the North West 200 or Ulster GP, so has to be the TT.”
Q5: Most Respected Rival?
“Most respected rival is probably Dave Madsen Mygdal, have known him for 30 years, and what he doesn’t know about race bikes and the TT isn’t worth knowing.”
Q6: Best roads moment thus far?
“So many! Wheeling off the crests on the run to Glen Vine. Winning actual prize money at Pre-TT Classic. Racing wheel to wheel with Jack Hunter lap after lap at the Pre-TT. Chasing Maria Costello for 2 laps at the 2013 TT. But maybe I’ll choose collecting aforementioned TT replica in 2013 from Phil McCallen.”
Q7: Is their one place or country in the world, where you would like to see a roads meeting held?
“I’d like to see a roads meeting held on my favourite road, the A435 from Gloucester to Cirencester.”
Q8: Who’s your road racing hero?
“I’ll go for Foggy (Carl Fogarty), to be so successful on the roads and then in World Superbikes is unique.”
Q9: Supersport or Superbike?
“Superbike, it’s easier to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike fast.”
Q10: Pole position or fastest lap?
“Pole position”
Words by Stevie Rial
