Latest news with #IsleOfManTT
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.
BBC News
a day ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Dunlop 'as competitive as ever' after successful year
Michael Dunlop says he is as "competitive as ever" after a successful year at the Isle of Man TT and North West ended his eight-year victory drought at the North West 200 when he won the opening Supersport race He then added to that by winning in the Superstock and Superbike classes at the Northern Ireland road race. The 36-year-old then won four races at the Isle of Man TT to extend his own winning record at the event to 33 victories."For the first time in a while I was really competitive at the North West, which was good," Dunlop told BBC Sport NI. "To do a triple there and go to the TT and win another four it's been a great year."The main job for me is the North West and TT, and I think we've done a successful job there and proven we're still one of the top men."Dunlop is racing at the Tandragee 100 national road race in county Armagh this weekend and heads to the national race in confident mood."When you are leaving those events [NW200 and TT] with most wins, I'm into the 30s now with the TT, it's good. "To go into the 30s where nobody is is nice. I would like to keep pushing at it, I feel like I'm as competitive as ever. "You just don't know with this game. At the end of the day, to get where I'm at is pretty cool and if I can add to it, I will. "We had a really good year and I'm faster than I ever was, so there's no reason we can't go back and win more TTs and more North Wests." Last year, Dunlop said national road racing was "finished" and the larger North West 200 and Isle of Man TT events would "thrive regardless". Ahead of his appearance at the Trandragee 100, which came through an invitation from one of his sponsors, Dunlop added that national road racing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland "are in a bad place" and said it was "nice" to help the race organisers out with his appearance. The top road racers dovetail their Isle of Man and North West 200 commitments by participating in the British Superbike Championship, and do not usually ride at national road races."The North West 200 has thrived this year, the TT has thrived. The events that are doing things right are thriving. "Yes, it's harder for these smaller events. I know why some of them are doing some stuff wrong, but it's hard to say it's fallen when you go to the North West this year."The amount of people was mental. It's the exact same with the TT."It's hard to say people aren't supporting it when you see the likes of those events and they are absolutely booming." Dunlop says he will race at the Southern 100, Classic TT and look at racing at a round or two of the British Superbike asked if he would even race in British Superbikes full-time, he said he would like to but feels he's "too long in the tooth now".It's hard. Did we miss that boat? Without a doubt. But did I ever go looking for it? Probably not, and I probably would have liked to have had a bit of a shot at it. "With time I could fall into it, there's no reason that if we spent a bit of time doing BSB I could put in a half decent charge at it."
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Whakatane rider Mitch Rees on his experience at Isle of Man TT
Whakatane motorcyclist Mitch Rees. Photo: Supplied / Facebook Mitch Rees says his Isle of Man TT experience was "like nothing else", but it could have been so much better for the Whakatane rider. This month Rees joined a select group of New Zealanders to have raced the iconic road course on the island in the Irish Sea. Unfortunately his first experience of the Isle of Man was hampered by the weather. Much of the two weeks was wet while strong winds forced the cancellation of the Senior Race for only the fifth time in its 114-year history. "So my first speed controlled newcomers lap was not the greatest way to begin your Isle of Man experience with rain and a wet track," Rees told RNZ. Infact most of his practice, qualifying and race session were hit by the weather with the majority either cancelled or reduced in distance. In the end Rees ran probably half the laps he would have expected to, however it was still a great experience for him. "It was awesome. It's hard to explain, it's an experience that is absolutely mind-blowing. "Everything that you think you know about riding, it is so much different. "It is very physical, you're changing direction on the motorbike at fifth and sixth gear at over 200kmh. "Absolutely thrilling but stuff that you just clench your teeth and hope you make it out the other side." New Zealand rider Bruce Anstey during the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Rees said that while riding the 60km course wasn't as terrifying as it appeared, it's when you're sitting in the pits waiting that you freak out a bit. He had since watched some video of his riding and admitted he couldn't quite believe that it was actually doing it. Despite just getting three days on dry roads Rees said "it's like nothing else". Rees finished 19th and 23rd in two of the Superstock races and was named the 2025 Isle of Man TT fastest newcomer. His third race was cancelled because of the weather. "A lot of people came up to me and told me how well I'd done but I was playing it down a bit because I was a little disappointed. "I know I'm better than where I sat at the end of it just because I know my capabilities and because everything was stacked against us." Rees stayed in Britain after the event to try and finalise arrangements for a return in 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
'Brain fog' after NW200 crash was worrying
Motorcycle road racer Jamie Coward says he believes he "got away lightly" after crashing at last month's North West 200 but explained that persistent "brain fog" was a concern in the weeks following the 34-year-old came off his Kawasaki machine at Quarry Hill during the opening Supertwins race over the Triangle circuit and was taken to hospital in Coleraine for treatment on his returned home to England a few days later but missed the subsequent Isle of Man TT."At first in hospital they thought I had a bleed on the brain but they had to send it off to a specialist to find out if it was or not," Coward told BBC Sport NI."It turned out it was just badly bruised. I was severely concussed and for about four or five weeks I've not really felt like myself and it wasn't really until a week ago that a lightbulb came on and I'm back to myself again."At one point it got quite worrying with it being such a long time with that brain fog."Coward revealed that he also sustained "a hole in the leg" in the accident on the Saturday of race week."I'm not sure what punctured my leg, but either a footpeg or a handlebar or a lever went about four or five inches into my leg and left quite a big deep wound."I had to leave that open, let it heal from the inside out, but the worst thing was the bang on the head."I'm back to normal, back working and looking forward to getting back on a bike." 'I blacked out when I hit the floor' The Yorkshireman had been competing at the North West for the first time since 2022 and his stable of machinery also included a factory-backed Triumph for the Supersport class and BMW bikes for the 1000cc has achieved podium finishes at both the North West and the TT in the past and had posted sixth places in the opening Superbike and Supersport races on the Thursday evening of this year's event, before crashing two days later."I felt really good and on that first race day at the North West. I had some really strong results after being away for two years."I can remember exactly what happened [in the crash]. I tried to go past somebody into the last corner. He went defensive, as you do on the last lap of the race, and as I grabbed the brake I lost the front end. When I hit the floor I blacked out and I can't remember anything else until I woke up in the hospital."In previous incidents and crashes there, people ended their careers."Coward's racing itinerary in the coming weeks will include a return to the Armoy road races on 25-26 was named man-of-the-meeting at the event in 2024."I'm hoping that the confidence is still there when I get back on the bike and I'll be trying my best to get back to where I was," added the KTS Steadplan Racing rider."I absolutely love the Armoy road races. It's very reminiscent of the Southern 100 races where I started my road racing career."The committee, the people who run it, are really friendly and I love the circuit and the spectators come out in force."Last year Coward won both Supertwins races, setting a new lap record for the class at 100.536mph in the process, and also achieved two third positions and a fourth in other races at the meeting in County Antrim."You cross the finish line and people are waving their programmes at you. There's no other feeling like it."If I can find that confidence I had before the crash then we should be there or thereabouts and fighting for podiums and wins again."
