By 23rd within the Newcomers A Manx Grand Prix of 2015, popular Douglas, Isle of Man based road racer Stuart Bedford, who last year finished a very creditable 11th in last years Southern 100 Senior Support race, is the next racer to take part in Road Racing News, ten questions challenge.
Stuart’s answers to the popular series of questions, are as follows:
Q1: Favourite National Roads Meeting?
“Southern 100. I lived in Castletown for 10 years, so I still class it as my home race.”
Q2: Favourite Racing Bike?
“The old Honda 600 steelie that I wrote off at Scarborough, is my favourite in terms of what I’ve ridden, in general I’d go for the Yamaha America TZ 750, bet it was an animal to ride!”
Q3: What’s the best part of competing on the roads?
“The people! The fans are amazing and the guys and girls that are out on track, are some of the best people to race with and learn from.”
Q4: TT, North West 200 or Ulster Grand Prix?
“I’m a Manxie, so it’s got to be the TT and it’s the reason I moved to the island when I was a young’un. I’ve not been to the North West 200, but the Ulster GP looks like mega fun!”
Q5: Most Respected Rival?
“Sarah Boyes and Colin “Crofty” Croft always keep me honest and pushing at the Manx GP, same applies at the Southern 100 with Steven Beale, Chris Watson and Jordan McFerran. Couldn’t ask for better people to race with on the roads.”
Q6: Best roads moment thus far?
“Best race I’ve had on the roads was the 2017 Senior Support race at the Southern 100. My fastest qualifying time would have put me on the 3rd row, but started from the back of the grid (21st I think) for some reason.
Managed a high 98 mph lap, and finished 11th, so a couple of rows further up might have seen me challenge for a top 5 or 6 finish, also 111 mph lap at the 2017 Manx GP, ranks high in my racing achievements.”
Q7: Is their one place or country in the world, where you would like to see a roads meeting held?
“I’d love to see one in the Pacific North West of America, it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go and just imagine racing round some of the national park roads flat tap, it would be mega.”
Q8: Who’s your road racing hero?
“Roads hero has definitely got to be Joey Dunlop, 250 race at 1998 TT, says it all for me.”
Q9: Supersport or Superbike?
“I’ve not ridden a Superbike yet, the 600’s are so fun to ride. I think a Superbike would suit my style though, and they’re the most fun to watch when they’re getting wrestled about, so I’ll say Superbike.”
Q10: Pole position or fastest lap?
“I’ve not done either! So a fastest lap on the TT course would be the best, and then a pole at the Southern 100.”
Words by Stevie Rial
