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Thundersport Champion, No Limits Racing front-runner Jorge Halliday went into TT 2023, carrying quite the expanding racing resume but one not featuring any prior pure road racing experience.
Son of former Sidecar TT racer Mark Halliday, I recently gained the Glen Maye, Isle of Man based competitor’s thoughts on joining roads scene, TT rider ranks.
Firstly, I posed what may seem an obvious question, asking did the world’s most famous road race live up to your expectations and some.
“Absolutely the TT lived up to my expectations, in fact it was 10 times better than I could have ever imagined it to be, it’s such an awesome place! The buzz you get is unreal!
I’ve put so much in to my preparation, put thousands of miles on the van doing laps, had great support from the TT with Milky (Richard Quayle) & Johnny (John Barton) and watched endless videos of onboards.”
Jorge added:
“I think the whole 37 3/4 miles is ace! I particularly liked sector one, (Start line to Glen Helen) its’ got a real mix of everything!
Fast & Flowing, Jumps & wheelies, heavy braking areas & then under the trees, it’s got it all! Especially with the fast corners of Ballagarey & Gorse Lea they’re both mega!”
Post a sun-drenched week of qualifying sessions, Halliday placed 37th within the opening, four-lap Monster Energy Supersport race.
Commenting about the varying range of emotions, after completing his first TT race stint, he stated:
“After the first Supersport race they were so many different emotions, not just from me but the great team I have around me too (Stanford Halliday Racing – Jorge Halliday Racing ).
I had an overwhelming sense of achievement to finished my first TT race, elation, relief, it’s really difficult to put in to words but it’s something I had always dreamed of, so to actually achieve it was very special to me.
All the hard work that myself and the whole team had put in suddenly became worth it.
I felt responsible for putting a huge smile on everyone’s face in the team. It really was a memorable and great feeling. I don’t think anyone will forget their first TT race.”
As aforementioned, a road race first-timer this month, Halliday stated that he had to alter his riding style, approach for the fabled, mythical Mountain Course.
“Riding the Isle of Man TT is very different to the short circuits in many aspects, you have to alter your riding style & your approach.
You can’t learn this circuit by doing a few practice sessions in practice week. You have to put so much effort & preparation in before you even do your first lap. You really have to live and breathe it!
It’s a constant evolving process of learning a little bit more every time you go out. Treating the course with respect and keep chipping away at small improvements every lap.
Trying not to frighten yourself and keeping yourself hungry for more and more laps.”
Keen to build upon TT 2023 exploits, which featured a best lap speed/lap time of 116.942 mph – 19 minutes 21.497 seconds, two top forty finishes, Halliday is keen for more TT thrills in 2024.
“I definitely want to compete at the TT in 2024 that goes without saying, I can’t describe how awesome an experience it was.
All of my focus is now on to TT 2024 and to be as best prepared for it as possible, the Isle of Man TT course is so unique! plenty of bike time is key, to keep sharp & improving to build on this years’ Isle of Man TT debut.”
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
