By In motorcycle racing, you often come across names, were you think, that sounds different, I’ll remember that name.
Manor Flooring/Oxman Carpentry backed Craig Szczypek is a good case in point. Speaking to Craig on Wednesday afternoon, I found out he has Polish ancestors, relatives, hence his surname.
Sampling for the third time the TT Races, his TT 2024 schedule is a very busy one with eight races on the horizon.
Summing up how first practice, qualifying stints went on Monday, the affable Buckingham rider stated:
“It was good, it was my first time on the stocker, a bit hard, the conditions were not perfect because of the strange damp patches, seeping out of the tarmac but other than that it was good the 600 from last year, the stocker was an eye opener but positive, we’ve got a new Super Twin (R7 Yamaha) so a bit of an unknown, it was nice just to be riding.”
Going onto chat further about recently acquired R7 Yamaha tackle (only had for two weeks!), he said:
“We haven’t had ours very long but for everyone else, the likes of Pete (Hickman), especially Baz (Furber) who’s come on pretty good in the last year or so, it’s an ever-developing bike.”
When posed the question about a prime lap time goal for TT 2024, Szczypek, who might compete at the Barry Sheene Classic at Oliver’s Mount, candidly said:
“Any improvements from last year, we did 116 on the 600 last year, 107 on the SV (Suzuki), this is a much stronger bike this year (R7 Yamaha), if I can go better than I have, that would be perfect, I need to get my replica!
Just improvements on last year, just get the big bike around, I would like to put a number on it, but I think at this point it’s unrealistic.”
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
