Latest news with #IsleOfMan
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sidecar team running on adrenaline after TT record
Kieran Clarke (left) is one half of the sidecar team, pictured with his stepfather Eddy Wright [BBC/Cathy Minton] A sidecar racing duo who were crowned 'Best Newcomers' at the Isle of Man TT say they are still riding high on adrenaline after their success. Driver Kieran Clarke, from Tadcaster, and passenger Andrew Johnson finished fifth overall in the event, the highest ever place on a first-time appearance, hitting a top speed of 114.221mph (183km/h) in the process. Advertisement Mr Johnson, 41, described their experience as "crazy" and unlike any race the pair have previously competed in. "I should have learnt by now that when [Kieran] says we'll just go out, take it easy and see how it goes, that his version of taking it easy isn't the same as everyone else," he said. Reflecting on the experience, Mr Clarke, 28, added: "It's the adrenaline – we're probably three weeks post the Isle of Man and it's still pumping round your system, it's the strangest feeling." Sidecar racing is a two-person motorsport involving a three-wheel motorcycle with a sidecar, and requires both driver and a passenger to work closely together. Advertisement The passenger has to shift their weight according to the direction of travel, in order to keep the motorcycle's wheels touching the ground to maximise stability and speed. Mr Clarke and Mr Johnson's partnership started four years ago when they first competed together at an race meet at Brands Hatch.. However, they had known each other much longer, first meeting when Mr Clarke was eight and Mr Jackson was 21. Even after a crash last year, which temporarily hospitalised Mr Clarke, the pair have climbed the rankings and are currently second in the British Championship F2 FSRA, with four rounds to go. Advertisement The Isle of Man TT is one of the most well-known events in the motorsport calendar, and sidecar racing has been a part of the race programme since 1923. While they duo are well-versed in the demands of short circuit racing, the TT course was a completely different challenge to tackle, according to Mr Johnson. "The speed at which you're going on the TT course with the bumps and everything is crazy," he said. "You've got to have respect for the course, you've got to understand each other and you've got trust each other. "I trust Kieran with the handlebars and I wouldn't have raced with anybody else on that course." Advertisement The pair are currently focused on the remaining races in the British Championships, but said they were already anticipating a return to the Isle of Man in 2026. Speaking about what he loves so much about the adrenaline-fuelled sport, Mr Clarke added: "It's just the thrill, there's nothing else like it. "People have said to me, 'do you reckon jumping out a plane is just as exciting?' and I think you'd have to get out a big plane somewhere very high to make it equally as good." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Related Internet Links
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Tadcaster racing team win 'Fastest Newcomer' at Isle of Man TT
A sidecar racing duo who were crowned 'Best Newcomers' at the Isle of Man TT say they are still riding high on adrenaline after their Kieran Clarke, from Tadcaster, and passenger Andrew Johnson finished fifth overall in the event, the highest ever place on a first-time appearance, hitting a top speed of 114.221mph (183km/h) in the Johnson, 41, described their experience as "crazy" and unlike any race the pair have previously competed in."I should have learnt by now that when [Kieran] says we'll just go out, take it easy and see how it goes, that his version of taking it easy isn't the same as everyone else," he said. Reflecting on the experience, Mr Clarke, 28, added: "It's the adrenaline – we're probably three weeks post the Isle of Man and it's still pumping round your system, it's the strangest feeling."Sidecar racing is a two-person motorsport involving a three-wheel motorcycle with a sidecar, and requires both driver and a passenger to work closely passenger has to shift their weight according to the direction of travel, in order to keep the motorcycle's wheels touching the ground to maximise stability and speed. Mr Clarke and Mr Johnson's partnership started four years ago when they first competed together at an race meet at Brands they had known each other much longer, first meeting when Mr Clarke was eight and Mr Jackson was after a crash last year, which temporarily hospitalised Mr Clarke, the pair have climbed the rankings and are currently second in the British Championship F2 FSRA, with four rounds to go. The Isle of Man TT is one of the most well-known events in the motorsport calendar, and sidecar racing has been a part of the race programme since they duo are well-versed in the demands of short circuit racing, the TT course was a completely different challenge to tackle, according to Mr Johnson."The speed at which you're going on the TT course with the bumps and everything is crazy," he said."You've got to have respect for the course, you've got to understand each other and you've got trust each other."I trust Kieran with the handlebars and I wouldn't have raced with anybody else on that course."The pair are currently focused on the remaining races in the British Championships, but said they were already anticipating a return to the Isle of Man in about what he loves so much about the adrenaline-fuelled sport, Mr Clarke added: "It's just the thrill, there's nothing else like it."People have said to me, 'do you reckon jumping out a plane is just as exciting?' and I think you'd have to get out a big plane somewhere very high to make it equally as good." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Armed Forces Day represents 'a show of support'
Joining in the annual Armed Forces Day celebrations is a way for people to show their support for servicemen and women "past and present", organisers have said. A free event at the Villa Marina, in Douglas, is set to include entertainment and a parade of veterans and serving military personnel along the promenade from 14:00 BST. Another highlight of the day will see a flypast of two RAF hawk aircraft at about 15:30. Organiser Colin Kelsey said the occasion would celebrate what those in the armed services "have done and continue to do for the country". The event in the Villa Marina Gardens from 13:00 to 17:00 will see military-themed stands, live music from the Southern Belles and complimentary afternoon tea from 16:00. Led by the Moddey Dhoo Motorcycle club, a march with veterans, cadets, uniformed organisations, and members of the emergency services will set off from Regent Street with a salute from the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer. The parade will then continue along Loch Promenade to the Douglas War Memorial. In the "highly visible and colourful" display, Mr Kelsey said he expected there would be representatives who served in "every conflict since World War Two up to the Gulf War", the latter of which ended in 1991. He said it was not a day of "commemoration or remembrance", but an opportunity "for families and potentially the next generation of armed forces members" to enjoy the celebrations, he added. It would also be a "chance for public to show their appreciation and support" for those serving both now and in the past. Similar events are set to take place across the UK over the next week. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X. Veterans invited to Armed Forces Day celebrations Armed Forces Day
BBC News
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Armed Forces Day celebration 'a show of support', organisers says
Joining in the annual Armed Forces Day celebrations is a way for people to show their support for servicemen and women "past and present", organisers have said.A free event at the Villa Marina, in Douglas, is set to include entertainment and a parade of veterans and serving military personnel along the promenade from 14:00 highlight of the day will see a flypast of two RAF hawk aircraft at about 15: Colin Kelsey said the occasion would celebrate what those in the armed services "have done and continue to do for the country". The event in the Villa Marina Gardens from 13:00 to 17:00 will see military-themed stands, live music from the Southern Belles and complimentary afternoon tea from 16: by the Moddey Dhoo Motorcycle club, a march with veterans, cadets, uniformed organisations, and members of the emergency services will set off from Regent Street with a salute from the Lieutenant Governor Sir John parade will then continue along Loch Promenade to the Douglas War Memorial. In the "highly visible and colourful" display, Mr Kelsey said he expected there would be representatives who served in "every conflict since World War Two up to the Gulf War", the latter of which ended in said it was not a day of "commemoration or remembrance", but an opportunity "for families and potentially the next generation of armed forces members" to enjoy the celebrations, he would also be a "chance for public to show their appreciation and support" for those serving both now and in the events are set to take place across the UK over the next week. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
The Independent
a day ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Sir Mark Cavendish ‘proud' to have Douglas cycle track named in his honour
Sir Mark Cavendish has received plenty of honours during and after his illustrious career, but admitted the one he received on Friday was particularly special. The winner of a record 35 Tour de France stages was back home in Douglas on the Isle of Man, where the cycle track at the National Sports Centre where he first started racing as a child was renamed the Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway. On the track where he used to compete every Tuesday night during his youth, Cavendish, who retired from racing at the end of last season, joined local schoolchildren on a ride as a new podium and signage was unveiled. 'When I was young, I would always be smashing it around that half-mile circuit,' Cavendish told the PA news agency. 'It was always fun, it was always something I would look forward to, and it taught me how to race. 'This is where I started, where every Isle of Man rider started racing, so it's very sentimental. It's not just like having something named after me – I'm very proud to have it at the place that started and shaped my career. It's truly an honour, it really means something on a personal level.' Cavendish used to revel in the weekly races run at the venue by Dot Tilbury, who remains a fixture at the National Sports Centre. Tilbury helped launch the careers of Cavendish, former Team Sky rider Pete Kennaugh and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Mark Christian, but the sessions she runs have been about more than finding future professionals. 'Cycling is fundamentally built on community and volunteers,' Cavendish said when asked about her contribution. 'That's what I loved about it. That's what got me started. 'It doesn't matter where you're from or what you do, everyone is joined by this single love, which is the bicycle – whether it's racing, using it for transport or for fitness. 'Historically club racing here in the Isle of Man and the UK in general takes a community who just love it, love seeing the racing and love what the bike is about. Without them these things don't exist and I think we need to treasure that.'
